Has anyone tracked real irradiance on 633/830 nm panels after a year of daily use? My meter shows our 2023 unit dropped from 32 mW/cm² at 5 cm to 18 mW/cm², which doubles time to reach about 30 J/cm², so I’m weighing Dermalux Tri-Wave MD versus a modular panel with active cooling — what’s stayed stable for you?
Active cooling kept our 633/830 output far steadier — Tri‑Wave MD held within about 10% at 12 months with a 5‑min warm‑up and vent clean, while a passive panel dropped from about 32 to ‘18 mW/cm²’ at 5 cm by month 10. If you’re sitting at ‘18 mW/cm²’, either go active‑cooled/constant‑current or bring the face to 3–4 cm so 30 J/cm² doesn’t double your chair time. Were your readings taken after a full warm‑up and with fans dust‑free?
I’d look at the driver, not just fans — constant‑voltage rigs sag like a tired treadmill, while true constant‑current per channel plus a published L70 at board temp kept our 633/830 much steadier. Ask for L70 at ≤45°C and log board temp/current; keeping the PCB around 40–42°C held drift under about 8%, whereas a CV bar fell about 30% over a year. Before you decide, re-check with your meter after a 3–4 minute settle and try a fresh PSU; did that change your ‘30 J/cm²’ time?