Building a Handheld R+G (Yellow) laser, Need Some Help.

Hey everyone, so i'm planning on a red green combined (yellow) handheld laser, and i have a few problems here:

1. electronics: i don't know much about electronics, i'm more into the optical side of lasers (i feel like i will definitely need to learn more about electronics soon though). the main problem i'm having is this: how do i run a PL515 at 150mA and 6.7-8V while also running an HL63603TG at 300mA and 2.4-3V off of 1 battery? is it even possible, or will i need to use 2?

2. Optics: i know exactly what i need, but i don't want to break the bank getting it, and i have no idea if i need to. i can either get a $4.50 dichro, and cheap FS mirror from ebay, or i can get a top notch dichro for 35$, and a top notch HR mirror for $37. which will be more worth it? potentially taking a shot on quality from ebay, or taking a shot in the wallet? please note, this is on quite a budget, probably below $300 unless i win the lottery.

3. Lenses: this ones more of an opinion. Im using a PL515 and HL63603TG single mode laser diodes, so the beam quality will be nice, but should i go for acrylic, single element, or 3 element lenses? im looking for even beam distribution (no bright center and weak sides on the beam) and little to no beam splash. divergence is probably going to be the same if i use the same lenses, so that's not a concern.

4. Host design: i have some ideas and i'm talking with Ehgemus about it, but suggestions are welcome! currently i'm looking at a custom, 45mm wide host that takes a 32650 battery. saving money is always an option

Thank you guys for any help you can give me, i look forward to your advice!

1. Use two drivers - you can get boost drivers that will run the PL515 off of one lithium battery.

2. Go for the cheap optics - they'll be more lossy (Still, shouldn't be terrible!) but I don't imagine that'll be a big problem?

3. Not sure on the lens - depends what kind of beam specs you want, i.e fat with low divergence or thin with a higher divergence.

4. Custom is the only way to do it really! It'll look awesome if it's professionally machined.

Edit: How are you going to adjust the optics?

Micheal this isnt much at all or not even close but did you remember Pmans purchase of an O like product that merged a 532 green and 650 red for that purpose?..It is a table unit but you might get some info from it

GSS said:

Micheal this isnt much at all or not even close but did you remember Pmans purchase of an O like product that merged a 532 green and 650 red for that purpose?..It is a table unit but you might get some info from it

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I remember that thread. I found it here it is: http://laserpointerforums.com/f40/yellow-o-like-95085.html
It didn't go well for him at first but he ended up getting a replacement, I think that thing was too cheaply made. It's probably better to build one yourself, at least then you know what you're getting and how it's put together.

Alan

Thats the one Pi!!! Well at best when Pman got the replacement he said at certain angles he saw a little yellow, if thats what I remember.

I've been looking into this as well. I think my plan is to also go with Ehgemus. I'd love to see what you end up doing. How were you planning to mount the optics? Glue or did you find a mount? Are you going to add toggles to each pot so you can alter the outputs, or are you just going to have on and off? I really think you can do this for about 200.00 bucks. Host should be about 150.00ish* unless it's super fancy looking or has copper. The pl515 has gone down to 20.00, there is a 638nm that is really nice I have seen, I will own eventually HL63133DG.

Trendkilla254 said:

I've been looking into this as well. I think my plan is to also go with Ehgemus. I'd love to see what you end up doing. How were you planning to mount the optics? Glue or did you find a mount? Are you going to add toggles to each pot so you can alter the outputs, or are you just going to have on and off? I really think you can do this for about 200.00 bucks. Host should be about 150.00ish* unless it's super fancy looking or has copper. The pl515 has gone down to 20.00, there is a 638nm that is really nice I have seen, I will own eventually HL63133DG.

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Hopefully it's less than that...

I'll be busy with a new argon laser anyway, I have to figure out how to get it to run so I'll be busy learning about them.

diachi said:

How are you going to adjust the optics?

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ill figure something out... eventually XD