does anyone repari Dr. Lava Flex Drives?

[Laserman532]

Seems like there might be a small market for that service

[LaserGuy216]

why not ask drlava

[andy_con]

ive got one that needs repairing as it goes. but probably not worth the money

[Laserman532]

why not ask drlava

it was a subliminal message awaiting for Dr. lava to respond.

Here is whats happinin:

Flex drive with last two componetns to give range of 108 -412ma
Input voltage 5.0vdc (regulated PS)
LOC diode Known working and tested on DDL ckt
hook 4 1n40001 in series with a 1 ohm resistor
set current by reading across 1 ohm resister set current to 380ma
hook to diode no light
unhook diode hook back load 380ma
hook up diode no light
hook diode to DDL Ckt set to 385 ma - big ass bright beam

WTF am I doing wrong - This is my second flex drive

First one no longer puts out current - hence my smart ass coment about someone being able to repair these.

[keeperx]

um... take a picture of the reading on your multimeter..

[Laserman532]

um... take a picture of the reading on your multimeter..

yeah, now what

[daedal]

This is truly odd!

So, the driver works with the load but not with a laser diode?

Well... I hate to ask the stupid question (no offense), but was the diode polarity connected correctly? The only reason I can think of where this would happen is there is not enough supply voltage (5V is plenty for a buck/boost circuit) or the polarity is not connected correctly. I am unaware of the FlexDrive having any short-circuit protection...

I'm sure Dr.Lava will chime in soon

--DDL

[Laserman532]

it is the LOC I assume the case is minus, and im pretty sure i didnt have the photodiode as plus because I was able to hook it up to the 317 ckt and it worked. I will re check but i dont think that is the problem. I am a newb but i try to be careful.

[drlava]

Hi Pat usually I'm able to respond fastest if I get a PM or email, but I came across this so here goes..

Measure the voltage across your full dummy load and the voltage across your diode and see what they are. Having a dummy load work but not a known good laser diode is positively unnatural.

As for repairs, if the main BGA chip has been damaged then there's no reasonable way to repair it. However I offer a $12 replacement service for people who have damaged their drivers.

[GooeyGus]

However I offer a $12 replacement service for people who have damaged their drivers.

No shit?

Hell I've been throwing them away

I get a LOT of drivers from people where the driver is connected to the battery but a diode has not yet been installed. Then they leave the battery in the host and it gets turned on during shipping (or by them, they just cant tell it's on) and when I get it, the driver is obviously dead.

I think I still have two or three sitting here.....