Recent content by BillClinton1

Thanks to DTR for the diode and barnett_unlimited for the SXD driver!!! And my buddy Mike Villanueva who donated the host. Didn't try the car tire tonight but did test it on a hotdog. Downright horrific results. Be safe and smart with yours. Fire is a REAL risk with these diodes.

Nubm44

I did mine with copper. Haven't tried 100 percent duty cycle, but it takes 2 minute cycles. It gets very warm after 2 minutes, and yes, I'm probably reducing the lifespan running at 4.5 amps, but well worth it. Sets fire to cardboard instantly, it will burn holes in my trash can from 10 feet or...

If anyone cares I managed to fix the diode! Tinned tiny wires, laid them on top of the bloody stumps of pins, and ever so lightly touched with the soldering iron tip. Was less than optimistic, but when I wired it up and hit the "go" button I damn near crapped my pants when the room turned blue...

If you REALLY must use it, go to the dollar store, buy a cheapo one dollar laser cat toy and it will fit your flat diode. Might have a hard time fitting a driver in the body of the pointer but at least you gain a way to mount your diode. I agree with aaronnoraa tho, waste of time, it won't ever...

Hey man, Don't knock the battery...

I only use these name brand batteries. You can't be cheap when I comes to your passion.

A lm317 will convert a huge amount of your battery into heat, your laser's worst enemy. I tried for weeks, months, to make a compact driver that would supply the needed current, it is a losing battle. The best thing I have ever done in my years making lasers was buying an x-drive from DTR. It's...

I flat out give up.

Here's a photo of the back of the diode.

I understand I can take a shot in the dark and buy one, but I was hoping to get a little insight on the most efficient, a finned radiator style or just a big block?

It was on long enough to snap the pic and that was it. Just wanted to make sure it was still a good part. Speaking of overheating, from your experience what makes the best heat remover? A solid slab of copper or a radiator of sorts, with airflow over thinner plates?

Here's the very same diode, happy as a clam consuming about 1250 milliamps. Really want to see what one of these will do at 1.8 amps. Still waiting on a new driver from DTR or instructions on what to do next. Really want to thank you folks for welcoming me, being incredibly helpful, and even...

So is the diode junk? I suppose I can try to press it in more...