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  • Thread starter Thread starter Jizzanthapus
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Jizzanthapus

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Hi everybody,
I was looking into buying a red laser and I'm now considering building one instead. I've been reading up on it and just wanted to make sure this would work. What I planned on using:

Host: http://www.survivallaserusa.com/DIY_C6_Host_Assembly/p1667092_7862087.aspx

Heatsink: http://www.survivallaserusa.com/Unanodized_Aluminum_Heat_Sink/p1667092_7862029.aspx

Diode and Module: https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/3-8mm-650nm-300mw-diode

I will be using a single rechargeable 18650 battery. Now the only thing I need is a driver, but I am not sure which one to use. It says on the DTR page for the diode that the current should be limited to 350mA. From what I understand I would then have to set the driver in the ring and make a solder connection. Then I would take the driver and the ring and set it in the driver pill. After that, set the module in the heatsink. Then I would have to solder the wires on the driver to the diode, and fit it all together. Do I have this right?

I should also note I have no experience soldering so I plan on buying a soldering iron and practicing (a lot) before attempting this. Thanks


EDIT 2: Updated links
 
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If anyone could recommend a driver and where to buy it I'd really appreciate it. I wanted to order the parts this week. And I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. Thanks
 
That used to be mohgasm. They had the best selection of 17mm round drivers around. And you could pick the output you wanted. Not sure anymore. You can try cajunlasers.com but they don't have a lot.
 
Yeah that would be really nice. I know he closed his store, but is there any chance he would still have some? And I looked at cajunlasers and I did see this: http://www.cajunlasers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=152 It says it's adjustable 290-970mA and it comes set to the low mode(290-485mA). So if I just hooked it up to my diode the way I get it would it be fine? I don't really understand how you adjust the output. Also, does the driver come with the two wires soldered on?
 
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To be perfectly honest, I have never set a driver. Not once. I have built LM317 drivers but those are elementary.
 
So that driver would require to be set? Like I wouldn't be able to just use it the way it comes? I'm just getting really confused about this
 
You need a testload, basically that acts as a diode so you can test the output of the driver and set it to the correct mA using a DMM, then you short the wires on the driver to discharge the cap and hook it up to your diode

I'm looking for a driver myself :(
 
So if I get a driver that is already set to an output I would not have to do any of that? I just found this: http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Groove_2.php So if I bought one preset to 350mA would that be fine? The only thing is it's not round and won't fit in the c6 ring. I heard you can use a blank battery contact, I'm not sure how that works though
 
With the blank contact board, you just press it in and it is like a driver with no parts. So then you usually solder your(preferably small) driver to your diode pins and then solder the leads to the ones coming from the blank board.

I dont think Hacylon is working right now, but you might could ask DTR to sell you a flexdrive with that diode preset. It will cost more, but it is a damn good driver choice.
 
It's still advisable because it's got a Pot on it that could shift in transit, but it should be fine without using one
 
wannaburnstuff said:
With the blank contact board, you just press it in and it is like a driver with no parts. So then you usually solder your(preferably small) driver to your diode pins and then solder the leads to the ones coming from the blank board.

I dont think Hacylon is working right now, but you might could ask DTR to sell you a flexdrive with that diode preset. It will cost more, but it is a damn good driver choice.
Click to expand...

So I would solder the wires from the contact board to the wires from the module, then solder the driver to the pins of the diode?
When you say the flexdrive with the diode preset is that the diode soldered to the driver? So I might be able to ask DTR to attach a driver to the diode I'm buying?

And Kookapeli, what would be fine not using?
 
Kookapeli said:
a testload :)
Click to expand...
Ohh right.

And so it would be:

battery contact set in driver pill:::::::::driver:::::::diode in module ?

So I would solder the wires from the battery contact to the driver and solder the wires from the module to the driver?
 
Jizzanthapus said:
Ohh right.

And so it would be:

battery contact set in driver pill:::::::::driver:::::::diode in module ?

So I would solder the wires from the battery contact to the driver and solder the wires from the module to the driver?
Click to expand...

Yep, that's correct:beer:
 
Alright good. And the DTR page says "Suggest current be limited to no more than 350mA. These diodes are Case/LD negative and require a driver that can operate with a continuous ground or the diode should be isolated from ground."
So I'm using one 3.7V 18650 battery with the 350mA driver and the battery contact. Just making sure, is this setup fine?
 
If you can find a driver that is a continous negative you don't need isolate the driver or battery, see HERE

other than that you're good to go
 
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