Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 23

Thread: Flexmod and 445

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Posts
    2,478

    Default Flexmod and 445

    hey-

    any ideas why in only getting ~450mW-550mW out of my flexmod3? I just put together a (what i hoped would be) 1W/445. No matter what i set the Flexmod to i only gett about max. 500mW out of it.

    At one point, i potted it up and it got up to ~750-800mW but then backed off and DRASTICALLY diminished power to <100mW.

    its just roughy set up now. HEatsinked and clamped to a block of aluminum. so, i dont think its getting too hot. The diode is brand new also with a lasorb on it.

    any ideas?

    -Marc
    http://www.laserist.org/images/ildalogos/ILDA-logo_colored-beams_Corporate_150w.jpg

    ILDA- U.S. Laser Regulatory Committee

    Authorized Dealer for:

    • Pangolin Laser Software and Hardware
    • KVANT Laser Modules & Laser Systems
    • X-Laser USA
    • CNI Lasers
    • Cambridge Technology & Eye Magic Professional Scanning Systems

    FDA/CDRH Certified Professional LuminanceRGB Laser Light Show Systems


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    7,067

    Question Just guessing here.

    Are you sure you are giving the flexmod enough voltage? Enough blanking voltage?
    Love, peace, and grease,

    allthat... aka: aaron@pangolin

  3. #3
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is online now Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,752

    Default

    if you're using the older N2 version, make sure the low/high solder bridge connection is electrically connected.


    Quote Originally Posted by gottaluvlasers View Post
    hey-

    any ideas why in only getting ~450mW-550mW out of my flexmod3? I just put together a (what i hoped would be) 1W/445. No matter what i set the Flexmod to i only gett about max. 500mW out of it.

    At one point, i potted it up and it got up to ~750-800mW but then backed off and DRASTICALLY diminished power to <100mW.

    its just roughy set up now. HEatsinked and clamped to a block of aluminum. so, i dont think its getting too hot. The diode is brand new also with a lasorb on it.

    any ideas?

    -Marc
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Posts
    2,478

    Default

    @aaron-

    yeah, its on a bench top supply with a set 5V in. if i lower the input mod. signal to about 4.8 volts the power actually goes up but then drifts back down.

    @ swami -

    How do i know if its an "N2?" I just got them about 1 month ago.

    -Marc
    http://www.laserist.org/images/ildalogos/ILDA-logo_colored-beams_Corporate_150w.jpg

    ILDA- U.S. Laser Regulatory Committee

    Authorized Dealer for:

    • Pangolin Laser Software and Hardware
    • KVANT Laser Modules & Laser Systems
    • X-Laser USA
    • CNI Lasers
    • Cambridge Technology & Eye Magic Professional Scanning Systems

    FDA/CDRH Certified Professional LuminanceRGB Laser Light Show Systems


  5. #5
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is online now Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,752

    Default

    if it looks like this, it's the N2:

    http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/FlexMod/driver.jpg




    Quote Originally Posted by gottaluvlasers View Post
    @aaron-

    yeah, its on a bench top supply with a set 5V in. if i lower the input mod. signal to about 4.8 volts the power actually goes up but then drifts back down.

    @ swami -

    How do i know if its an "N2?" I just got them about 1 month ago.

    -Marc
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    2,342

    Default

    Hi Marc, what current are you setting the Bias to, and what current are you setting the gain to? The FlexMod is a current driver device, it doesn't produce light itself so the best way to isolate the troubleshooting to your driver setup is to speak in terms of current. A multimeter in amps mode in series with a dummy load is a good setting tool.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Lake Geneva, WI.
    Posts
    2,704

    Default

    It's most likely a FlexMod3 then. Turn down the gain pot about ten turns CCW then try applying 8-12V. 5V is just too low.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Connecticut, USA
    Posts
    2,478

    Default

    @dr lava-

    1) i just ordered a few of these from you. they in stock?

    2) The driver that i have now is one of your new ones and it arrived to me from someone else with the wires already soldered on, so i did not set the bias or anytihng. The guy who sent it to me said he already set it. At "0V" the laser is completely off though. i know most people have a lsight glow.

    should i unsolder the wires already on it and set this from scratch?

    3) What is the average current setting for about 800mW of output?

    4) for the bias setting, am i looking for a current reading on this? or am i just adjuting the bias to *JUST* barely keep the diode glowing at a "0V" input mod signal?

    @300evil-

    I amusing a 7V input actually. I may try a 12V input just for shits and giggles though. i think i should set this from scratch.

    if i unsolder all the existing wires that already came on this, what type of load should i have on the output to set the current? do i just attach the meter directly to the output of the driver and no dummy load needed?

    Sorry...these prob seem like stupid questions, but i am in a stupid rush and need to get this done ASAP.

    -Marc
    http://www.laserist.org/images/ildalogos/ILDA-logo_colored-beams_Corporate_150w.jpg

    ILDA- U.S. Laser Regulatory Committee

    Authorized Dealer for:

    • Pangolin Laser Software and Hardware
    • KVANT Laser Modules & Laser Systems
    • X-Laser USA
    • CNI Lasers
    • Cambridge Technology & Eye Magic Professional Scanning Systems

    FDA/CDRH Certified Professional LuminanceRGB Laser Light Show Systems


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Lake Geneva, WI.
    Posts
    2,704

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gottaluvlasers View Post

    @300evil-

    I amusing a 7V input actually. I may try a 12V input just for shits and giggles though. i think i should set this from scratch.

    if i unsolder all the existing wires that already came on this, what type of load should i have on the output to set the current? do i just attach the meter directly to the output of the driver and no dummy load needed?

    Sorry...these prob seem like stupid questions, but i am in a stupid rush and need to get this done ASAP.

    -Marc
    Hmmm, 7V should be good enough. I personally use 12V on the FlexMod 3's when powering 445 diodes though. Your PS should be able to make at least 1.5A in order to power the FM3 and diode.

    I personally do not use a dummy load.... For 445nm diodes, I put my Fluke meter directly across the output without diode or dummy load installed and adjust to 300mA at 5V at the modulation input. From there, I connect the diode and adjust my output with a power meter.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    2,342

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by gottaluvlasers View Post
    @dr lava-

    1) i just ordered a few of these from you. they in stock?
    Thank you! They are in stock and I'll be processing it tomorrow.
    2) The driver that i have now is one of your new ones and it arrived to me from someone else with the wires already soldered on, so i did not set the bias or anytihng. The guy who sent it to me said he already set it. At "0V" the laser is completely off though. i know most people have a lsight glow.

    should i unsolder the wires already on it and set this from scratch?
    If he didn't tell you what he set it at (and it sounds like you have adjusted it without knowing what current you adjusted it to) yes I'd start from scratch setting up the bias and gain. Here are the setup instructions:
    http://hacylon.case.edu/laser/FlexMo...dP3_Manual.pdf


    3) What is the average current setting for about 800mW of output?
    I follow the formula I = 0.2 + W/1.3 when you are using a good short lens so for 800mW target 815mA. Diode efficiency varies.

    4) for the bias setting, am i looking for a current reading on this? or am i just adjuting the bias to *JUST* barely keep the diode glowing at a "0V" input mod signal?
    you'll want to keep the diode just glowing with a lasorb attached via the bias current setting. 7V input is plenty. No dummy load is really needed unless you are wanting to test for dropout at low power supply voltages.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •