DIY Laser Torch - 323mA! - Wow!

Man I had to share this...I was reading how LarryQ replaced the two 10 ohm resistors in DDL's circuit with just one 3.9 ohm resistor in order to run the LD at 323mA. He sent me my first heat sink for free... Nice guy! Anyway, It works so good that it must be made known!!!

This is the latest heat sink that I just made:

* Notice that the aluminum is machined so that it sticks out the front a little, this is to give a little more room inside.
* The widest part of the heat sink is the perfect size to be held tight. (in place of the removed glass and reflector)
* After coating the inside of the heat sink, and the outside of the AixiZ module with Arctic silver, I used a vice to press it flush with the face of the heat sink.

I have three of these now and have not noticed any issues with running the GB Senkat diodes at 2 minutes. The heat sink just barely gets warm. It is very much stronger at 323mA! I figure around 170mW according to DDL's Senkat/Phazor comparison graph. Talk about a serious BURNER! Match lights at 7 feet are instantaneous. So far, the farthest match light I have done is 14 feet...and a balloon pop at 27 feet! Also, at this power, the beam is much more visible at night. Especially around a camp fire with all the smoke...
Jay

Re: DIY Laser Torch - 323mA! - Wow

Looking HOT... ;D

Nice one

I hope this gets a kick forward then

GL;
DDL

That looks awesome, i wish i could machine parts like that

Perhaps it would even be possible to machine it such that the diode directly fits into the heatsink, with a threaded end to mount the lens.

Still, running it a 300+ mA is driving the diode hard, even with infinite heatsinking... but thats always the tradeoff between diode life and output power.

Re: DIY Laser Torch - 323mA! - Wow

Daedal said:

Looking HOT... ;D

Nice one

I hope this gets a kick forward then

GL;
DDL

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Thanks DDL, Hey I know you did a lot of testing with the Phazor diodes....Do you think this set up would be ok for the Phazor diode running at maybe 350mA? Maybe one or 2 minute duty?
Jay

Hell ya!

Good thinking ;D

--DDL

Daedal said:

Hell ya!

Good thinking ;D

--DDL

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Excellent! You got me down for two right?
Thanks,
Jay
P.S. DDL, if you want one of these heat sinks, just say the word and I'll send you one. I appreciate all of the help you have been to me personally...

Hehee I see some of my handy work in that torch ;D Is that the one I sold you?

Heatsink is looking good. I wish I could machine stuff like that

XG

Hi XG, that may indeed be the one I got from you. I have built two more and a couple of box style as well with adjustable current (DDL circuit). I know that I did take yours apart and replace the resistors with the 3.9 ohm and added a heat sink. It's just so much more power in this configuration. Hope it lasts...so far, so good!
Jay

Good stuff Jay. If you ever make a few more heatsinks let me know. I still have 2 torches left and I don't mind buying 2 from you.

XG

xgeek said:

Good stuff Jay. If you ever make a few more heatsinks let me know. I still have 2 torches left and I don't mind buying 2 from you.

XG

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I have one piece of 1 1/4" alluminum round stock left...it's about 2 inches long and I think I can get two heat sinks out of it. One for you and one for me! I have one more MXDL left. (for the Phazor diode!) I'll just give you the heat sink if you don't mind waiting until I get around to it. I may buy some more aluminum though...
Jay

No rush mate I ahve all the time in the world. Just let me know how much when it's done.

Cheers
XG

xgeek said:

No rush mate I ahve all the time in the world. Just let me know how much when it's done.

Cheers
XG

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XG, you caught me in a generous mood...I have just made you one! Just PM me your shipping address! No charge...
Jay

What a guy that Jayrob! LPFers are amazing!
Hats off to ya Jay.

Wow very generous of you Jay. PM sent ;D

Cheers
XG

I'm interested to see how long the diode survives this much power ^_^;;

;D I was thinking the same thing.