BLuRay mod #2.  1xAA boost circuit.

I purchased another PS3 module with the intent of putting it into something smaller than my last project. http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1194303946  Ideally, I was looking for a 1xAAA sized package using a boost converter.  I could tweak the 1xAAA drivers to get it to lase but it wasn't bright enough for me.  It didn't help that the Vf of the BLuRay LD was over 5V @ 20mA!

I got the cell charger from a local surplus store. You can Google "Charge2Go" for additional info on the charger.


*Tech Notes*
1. I tried a 1xAA boost circuit from a cell phone charger on three red LEDs connected in series. The output current/voltage seemed just about right so I tried it with the BR LD and measured 33mA (that included a sense resistor and longer wires so I expect the assembled unit's output current will be higher - probably in the 40s of mA). The board has 2 SMD red LEDs that blink about once per second when it is on.

2. There are several variants of this charger.  Other modles use different boost circuitry and will likely not work the same.  

3. My BR LD had a fairly high Vf - a lower Vf LD may have been severly over-driven.

4. The charger had no switch - it was a twisty - not really suitable for a pointer so I had to add a switch (momentary contact). That involved adding a battery contact board to feed a switch.  I have cut down the switch length and I will likely glue on a switch guard ring to prevent accidental turn-on.

5. Current draw from the battery is 160 mA (180mA when the red LEDs blink) so the battery should last a while.

Here are some photos.

Host (Charge2Go cell charger - there are different versions of these)


Driver board (top & bottom)


BR in Aixiz module


Switch epoxied in


BR module added


BR soldered on board


Switch wiring


Battery contact board (goes to switch)


Assembled


Size comparison to iPod Video 5G


Size comparison to 9V BLuRay mod and AA battery

Re: BLuRay mod #2.  1xAA boost circuit.

Looks sweet

That charge to go unit looks super !! Where do you find them ??
Mike

Hemlock Mike said:

That charge to go unit looks super !!   Where do you find them ??
Mike

Click to expand...

I got them at a Princess Auto store ( www.princessauto.com ) but you could probably locate a US retailer from teh manufacturer's website ( www.charge2go.com )

Paul

Wow! that looks nice and its super small too, and i like how it actualy looks like a laser pointer just a little shorter.

...lazer.... ;D ;D ;D

Added a switchguard (purple) and sticker today.  

where did you find the battery contact board? and that driver board came with that charge2go right?

Re: BLuRay mod #2.  1xAA boost circuit.

bcroft said:

where did you find the battery contact board? and that driver board came with that charge2go right?

Click to expand...

Yes, I can confirm the driver comes with these from looking at them in the past.

bcroft said:

where did you find the battery contact board?  and that driver board came with that charge2go right?

Click to expand...

1. I made it
2. yes (but be sure to check the output of other manufacturers' boards - I have seen these in multiple varieties)

I made another of these (version 2). Changed the switch and the switch guard.

With some friends.

Re: BLuRay mod #2.  1xAA boost circuit.

wait so how did you regulate current? i thought these things output like 100mA to charge the phone. not to mention that the output would be very messy and unreglated.
i don't know how long a blueray diode would last running directly off that

This configuration runs the circuit outside its normal operating range and by a bit of a fluke, the current sharply drops off at the voltage of the Bluray. There are some additional notes in the first post.

woop said:

wait so how did you regulate current? i thought these things output like 100mA to charge the phone. not to mention that the output would be very messy and unreglated.
i don't know how long a blueray diode would last running directly off that

Click to expand...

Re: BLuRay mod #2.  1xAA boost circuit.

you can get the charge to go at DX for 5$

toked323 said:

you can get the charge to go at DX for 5$

Click to expand...

You can get something that "looks like" a Charge to Go. There appear to be some differences from the DX pics and as I mentioned in the first post, there are different versions of these with different circuit boards. So if anyone is planning this mod, please be sure to test it first with an appropriate dummy load to ensure the current will not be too high for a Bluray.

The parameters of the board in the second mod must be different than the first. This one will light matches almost instantly.