Osram PL450B Single mode build

Hey guys, another build to share. My first single mode too!

For this build:

Survival Lasers C6 host kit w/blue aluminum heat sink, pre-drilled pill and battery contact board -＞ Survival Lasers

Osram PL450B 450nm diode in copper module with leads and G2 lens -＞ DTR

Microboost driver -＞ Illumination supply

Focus adapter -＞ Mohgasm.com

My first attempt at this build was also the first diode and driver i killed. :gun:

The first go, i used a mohgasm test load to set the current on the microboost. I set the jumper for 280mA max range and turned the pot all the way, and got 266mA. Close enough, i then put it together. It worked beautifully, but when i metered it, it maxed out at 77mW. Since the data sheet states 80mW, and the thread here on these diodes have shown, something wasn't right.

I took it apart to access the driver, and with my LPM warmed up, did some (stupid) experiments. I used a small screwdiver with foil wrapped on it to jump to the next setting.
I had the pot all the way down, and slowly turned it up, metering as i went. I got it to hit 88mW like this, but i turned the pot a little, jumped, then it dimmed.. I tried setting the driver to the setting i was jumping, and killed it.

I tried a different driver, but it was LED'ed. I must have got unlucky with that diode.

So i got another diode and driver. This time i just set the jumper and pot for ~280mA and soldered it to the diode leads.



I used some tape to help prevent shorts in the driver.


All together.


I added GITD to the focus adapter.


Beams shots!





And an LPM vid.


Now that's what i was expecting. Actually, better than expected.

Thanks for looking, and have a nice day! :yh:

nice job. gotta love a single mode blue, it looks like a laser beam should.

Thanks. It is nice to see a blue dot instead of a bar.
Not to mention, have a blue laser that doesn't instantly start burning whatever I point it at..

I think it might be time for me to have a nice, lower power, but especially, single-mode blue. What size is that diode?

Edit: Nice build CL!

Very nice buld, I had my single mode 450 until I busted it last week. I shall get another one, they just look great. You sure got a lot of power out of that diode....

Thanks sba. I'm not exactly sure what size the diode is, but i think it's 3.8mm. I could be wrong. I got mine from DTR pressed in module w/leads. This thread is what really got me to want one of these.

Thanks norbyx, they are nice. Check the link I posted above, Blord made an awesome thread on these diodes.

Sweet build! This really tempts me to build a single mode 450nm build of my own.

Thanks. It is sweet. My pictures are not the best, and are far from showing how it really looks.

my osram pl450b in an aurora ss host is my favorite handheld. it's one of the few i held onto.
here it is http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/osram-pl450b-aurora-ss-host-78016.html
i found the dot looked much better with the 3 element lens vs. a g series. the 250mW output is plenty for me.

cheech226 said:

my osram pl450b in an aurora ss host is my favorite handheld. it's one of the few i held onto.
here it is http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/osram-pl450b-aurora-ss-host-78016.html
i found the dot looked much better with the 3 element lens vs. a g series. the 250mW output is plenty for me.

Click to expand...

Ah, I remember reading that thread when this diode caught my attention. I too was not thrilled trying to set the jumper. I destroyed the first microboost trying to change the jumper. Thus is how we learn...

I also got a three element lens for the same reason.

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who prefers the 3 element lenses to the G-series when it comes to single mode diodes. There seems to be some debate as to which is the better lens on single modes...

Yeah, some hate the three element lens, but if your not worried about power, those or the acrylic are awesome. I have yet to see a single mode that NEEDS a G2. Most are low power so why make the beam look as good as possible?

Unfortunately, I have to tie up my G-2 with my PL520 because my host's custom focus knob is too long to use an acrylic lens.

Does anyone know if I can put an acrylic lens in an extended barrel from DTR?

Nice build! How does the beam visibility comprae to a 100mW green?

Please don't necropost, unless you have something new to add; this thread is over 4years old. The OP of this thread has not been active since 6-13-15.

You can use the brightness comparator chart to see the difference in perceived visibility.