Should a ~100mw green CNI laser draw? It seems to get warm, and I just want to try find out what a good current level for this laser is. I think its drawing just over and amp on the diode.
Any ideas? :)
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Should a ~100mw green CNI laser draw? It seems to get warm, and I just want to try find out what a good current level for this laser is. I think its drawing just over and amp on the diode.
Any ideas? :)
I would think that is close to what it needs depending on the diode itself. I have several 1.2 watters here and they like around 1450maH of drive current for max power. They have fac lenses so that gets about 1.1 watts collimated. The TEC circuit does generate a fair amount of heat if the diode is getting weaker...in other words it needs more current to drive an aging diode thus creating more heat to shed from the area. If it has a monitor photodiode like my 250 does.
Just measured, and diode current seems to be aout 2.01A, is this OK?
It doesnt seem to be able to cut electrical tape unaided, even with a beam diameter of like 1mm, yet it is quite bright ?
Thats not good !
My "60mW" DX laser can cut tape easily and it's got a wider beam than that ...
My 50mw laser with no TEC uses about 600mA I think.
Might want to PM or e-mail Dave or Aijii at LaserShow Parts and see if they have any advice - they sell a lot of CNI's!!
My 60mW green from DX uses 480mA .
Does your CNI have TEC ?
Yeah it does, but the TEC current doesnt really have anything to do with the diode current. This is the module I have:
http://lasershowparts.com/store/imag...EM_Style_1.JPG
Ohh right, I though you were talking about the total current draw.
If the diode is still drawing that much current then maybe it's the crystals ?
-Adam
OK this is weird. the CNI appears VERY bright, and has a visiblr beam with no fog at all. But as A test, I basically put a peice of electrical tape right over the aperature. 1 minute later, nothing ....
I am completely lost. the beam diam on the tape is like 1mm big, yet it barely gets warm!!!
Myabe it's only doing like <40mW , it's still going to be bright at that power. Or maybe it's the tape your using ? Try a match light, or stick your finger in the beam or something.
-Adam
Better yet, maybe put it on a power meter?????
Good idea :DQuote:
Originally Posted by dave
i'll borrow my friends power meter and test out a few lasers lol
>1A sure sounds like a lot for a 100mW laser, espeically if that is only for the diode. It does depend on the diode itself, but it does seem a bit high. I have a laser drawing around 1.3A to the diode, and the diode is putting out 1.2W. This setup gives me an average output of almost 400mW @ 532nm. SO, >1A for a 100mW laser sure sounds like a lot to me. I have a pen style that does 120mW and I think it draws around 500mA, but I will double check later and report back.
The base of it gets quite warm quite fast, I am scared the diode may be on its way out :x
C-mounts are expensive :O