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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

First build (or build and a half)

Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
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PHR-803T diode on a DDL driver at 123mA
unknown 100mW red diode on an Aixiz driver @180mA
2x standard aixiz module with acrylic lens
Meritline 248-325 Host $10
homemade pill
2x 10400 batteries
3x alkaline batteries (or 4x rechargables)

I have 2 diodes (a red and a blue) and only 1 host, so I call it a build and a half because I made it modular so I could use the same host for 2 diodes (yeah, figured out at the end why it's a bad idea). This will be split into 2 builds once I get another host.

I bought the host to use as a flashlight but it died in less than a second...so it became a host. I like it, there's plenty of room inside for the driver, a big pill, and my sausage-like fingers trying to assemble it all. I plan to order a couple more to use as hosts, and find something else to use as a flashlight.

Sorry about the crappy pictures, my phone is the only working camera I own.

host.jpg


I added a momentary pushbutton switch, both switches have to be on to lase. There's a machine shop where I work so I asked the foreman to let me use (and show me how to use) a lathe. He let me use the oldest lathe in the shop (smart move, set the noob on something hard to break), but I made the pills myself. Kinda happy about that, first thing I've machined in 25 years since High School Shop class. He was happy with my performance and said I could use the lathe whenever it's free. Tomorrow I'll take the laser into work so he can see the final product.

The first pill ended up with a really nice spiral on the face while rough facing so I decided to leave it alone. The other one is faced properly.

pill.jpg


The host came with a 4 AAA battery holder. I left it alone since I'd eventually want to use rechargeables in the red build. I used a 3 AAA battery holder from a broken flashlight and modded it. I soldered a wire across one of the spaces so it would work with 2 Li-Ion batteries. It was too short so I made a spring from some silicon bronze welding wire and soldered it to the end. It was also too slim so I glued some craft foam strips on the sides. Works great now...maybe I should have just modded the original, less work in the end and I'll get another 4 cell holder with the new host. Oh well, had fun tinkering. Moded another 3 cell holder to the correct length, but left it as 3 cells to use for the red diode on alkalines.

batteries.jpg


No pictures of the inards, none of them turned out. All I did was put the momentary switch inline with the main switch then a connector. Soldered a mating connector onto the end of the driver board.

To swap you remove the retaining ring from the front, remove the pill, attach the new module, push the pill into front of the host, replace retaining ring. It takes a little bit of pressure to get the pill into place, so it won't move or fall out when the laser is in use. Don't forget to swap batteries too.

And beamshots:
bluebeam.jpg


redbeam.jpg


While swapping modules back and forth trying to get good shots of the various parts (which didn't turn out), plus some beam shots, I discovered why it's a bad idea to go modular...the connector adds some rigidity to the wires since there's an inch or so that can't bend at all. When pushing the pill into the host one time I managed to break the case pin on the red diode when the driver board and the connector tried to occupy the same space at the same time. Luckily, due to the magic of solder-blob I got the case pin reattached and the diode still works.

And here's a video from a few days ago when I got the bluray diode working for the first time. This was the first time I had ever gotten a diode to lase for more than 30 seconds before burning out. Strangely enough, it was also the first time I used a proper driver. I wonder if there's a connection...
YouTube - PHR-803T BluRay laser diode

And thanks to styropyro and jayrob for the inspiration to actually do a build and the information to make this one work (2 dead diodes on previous attempts, before I knew better) and Vaporizor for the information on getting the Aixiz drivers to work.

M-
 









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