18650 vs 2x16340

[Jeremy777771]

I have a 100mw 405nm laser and I am currently using a 18650 battery for it. It isn't burning as well as I would like, so I was considering switching to 2x16340's. Is this a good idea? and does it matter wht type of 16340 I use? Is there a certain voltage I cannot exceed, for the safety of my laser

 

[Wolfman29]

What driver are you using? Must be a boost driver if it's for a PHR diode. You will need to switch it out for a buck driver if you plan on using 16340s, unless your driver has buck-boost capabilities.

 

[LarryDFW]

First, check to see which types of battery cells your laser is designed for.

Only if it states "two #16340 cells", should you try multiple cells.

The voltage will be twice as high with two #16340.

Regardless, you will have more current & power capacity from one "name brand" #18650 cell.

What is the brand on the #18650 cell you have currently ?

LarryDFW

 

[Jeremy777771]

First, check to see which types of battery cells your laser is designed for.

Only if it states "two #16340 cells", should you try multiple cells.

The voltage will be twice as high with two #16340.

Regardless, you will have more current & power capacity from one "name brand" #18650 cell.

What is the brand on the #18650 cell you have currently ?

LarryDFW

I do believe my laser can take either 1 18650 or two 16340. Its the 100 mw 405nm Classic from Lazerer.com. My battery is Ultrafire brand. 3000mAh 3.7v. Here is the link to the laser-

LZCS - 405nm 100mW Focusable Violet Laser Pointer

 

[LarryDFW]

I think your laser is designed ONLY to use a #18650 cell.

Ultrafire is not the best cell for maximum power.

You need a "name brand cell" like Panasonic or Sanyo.

LarryDFW

 

[LuxorLasers147]

A 100mW blu-ray should light a match pretty quickly when pin point focused. Is that the case?

 

[Jeremy777771]

Ok you guys, I have not yet tried to light a match, but i have figured out the problem. It seems that I focused the laser a little too much. When I examined the dot closely it was smallest about an inch of turning before maximum focus, if that makes sense. In other words, if you guys have a lsaer with a focusable lens, my laser is most focused when it is not turned all the way inward. Which is odd haha, to get it the most focused i have to turn it just a little away from what should be most focused

 

[LuxorLasers147]

Ok you guys, I have not yet tried to light a match, but i have figured out the problem. It seems that I focused the laser a little too much. When I examined the dot closely it was smallest about an inch of turning before maximum focus, if that makes sense. In other words, if you guys have a lsaer with a focusable lens, my laser is most focused when it is not turned all the way inward. Which is odd haha, to get it the most focused i have to turn it just a little away from what should be most focused

You focus it a "little to much"?

The further the lens is from the diode, the bigger the dot will be at the wall and the burning gets closer to the laser.

Point your laser to your table 5" away and turn the head until you see the smallest dot. Then put the match in front of it and watch the magic happen

Dont try to light a mach very close to the lens though.

 

[Jeremy777771]

Yah i did the whole table thing but the smallest dot wasnt when the lens was closest to the diode. That is what I am now confused about, I thought that putting the lens closest to the diodewould create the smallest dot. But for some reason if you get too close the dot will diverge again. theres a "sweet spoy" if you want to call it that.