FlexModP3 Drop In Module For RL-2088 'Frankenstein' Host!

Note: Since the FlexModP3 driver is no longer available, you can use an X-Drive buck driver for this build, which is more efficient! :beer:

After I machine the top of the pill flat, it can just be thermal glued there...






DTR first put a FlexModP3 driver into a hand held host, and the result of his 'Frakenstein' build was epic...

I was happy to have been a part of that awesome build because he sent it to me for the machine work and heatsink.

But it was originally designed for a dual FlexDrive set up, and quite honestly, I didn't recommend the FlexModP3 when he had asked me about it.

Well that didn't stop him!




RL-2088 'Frankenstein' kit here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-rl-2088-frankenstein-kit-flexmodp3-66330.html





Here I will show a nice clean way to mount a FlexModP3 driver into the same host...

But I will mention that the head of the RL-2088 host, may need machine work and boring on the inside. (some need the extra machine work on the inside of the head, and some don't - I have seen this on different hosts) And then a custom heatsink fit for it.

The pictures and captions show the details...







I want to mention that the negative contact points on the FlexModP3 (both input and output), are continuous. So if you wanted to, you could just connect the diode case pin to the negative pin (blu-ray or 445), and just connect to the negative output of the driver just like you can also do with a V5 FlexDrive if you wanted to...

But as the picture shows, I went ahead and just ran an extra wire direct to the negative input side of the driver.

The 445 diode case pin has plenty of length left for soldering an isolated wire to. Just remove the pink triangle piece from the pins. And you can solder to the case pin...






I saw this price on the RL-2088 'Frankenstein' host with an SST50 emitter... $84 bucks!
UlraFire RL-2088 Luminus SST-50 LED 3X18650 High Power Flashlight [3052] - US$84.92 : shenzhen-wholesale

These linear drivers are rock solid and the adjustment is so very nice...

1/2 turn is about 100mA's.

Here's DTR's tutorial on setting up the FlexModP3:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/how-set-up-flexmod-p3-handheld-laser-56572.html#post798901

Here is a word document that I made for how to set up the FlexModP3. (It's about a 4MB file, so it may take a minute to download)
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/FlexModP3 Setup.doc

It is basically the same information that DTR shows in his tutorial. Just condensed down to a single page that you can just print out if you want...




Here's some pictures of the custom 'reversed' Maglite build that this drop in module is made for...
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/custom-maglite-flexmodp3-build-flipped-backwards-62065.html

Hope you like it!






Click here to see my list of projects and tutorials!

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Hey jayrob, its always nice to see new things from you, you and Dtr are very creative

the only price i could find for a ultrafire rl-2088 was 120 dollars........ I wish a company sold these torches without the reflector, bulb and other flashlight crap

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Jay that is straight awesome. I have been longing to build another Frankenstein. That module is great. Now you don't have to do any relocation surgery for the chip to sink it. Great Job.:beer:

You were not the only one that gave me a raised eyebrow when I suggested that I may try to use a P3 in a handheld.

@ LaZeRz

The cheapest I have seen the host is for $106 from Kaidomain. It would be awesome if a supplier could be found for just the host and the 3X18650 holder.

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Great driver, great host...

Now a good fit to put them together!

Yeah, too bad the host is so expensive. But maybe it will come down.

Thanks for the comments! :thanks:

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Besides modulation (that you won't be using anyway), what can a $30 flexmod do that a $3 LM350 can't?

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Here is Drlava's response to the same question in the other thread.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/how-set-up-flexmod-p3-handheld-laser-56572.html#post799136

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

He didn't say much of anything, did he?

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Only 1.5 volts above diode demand needed for supply voltage!

Plus it will go to 4 Amps vs 3 Amps for the LM350...

Not that we need that much current. But it's nice to have something that is 'future proof'.

Also, if you build a circuit, all of the other components must also be able to handle the current. Not just the LM350.

If you haven't tried the FlexModP3, you should check one out. You will like it!

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

jayrob said:

Plus it will go to 4 Amps vs 3 Amps for the LM350...

Not that we need that much current. But it's nice to have something that is 'future proof'.

Click to expand...

I got yer fyoocher proof, Plus it will go to 4 Amps vs 3 Amps for the LM350... Not that we need that much current. But it's nice to have something that is 'future proof'.[/QUOTE] I got yer fyoocher proof, right here!"]right here!

At least Dr. Lava isn't biased toward the product. Oh, wait... :undecided:

I think experience has proven the LMXXX drivers are "Reliable and safe".
lm317 drivers successfully powering portable lasers: probably several thousand.
Flexmod drivers successfully powering portable lasers: ...maybe 3?

"a simple LMXXX based unit would not have the protection features that the FlexMod does," like what? Under the "features" page of the manual:
"Open loop circuit sensing" Maybe. But unless you're terrible at soldering, this won't be a problem at all. And if you ARE terrible at soldering, you're Fcked no matter which driver you chose.
"Input ESD protection" which is just a little strange, because just to the right is a disclaimer "Caution: Static sensitive components."
"Output ESD protection (of the driver)" So you'd still need a lasorb or similar if you wanted static protection of the diode.
"Soft-start delay" Maybe, but only if you set it up right. Kind of like that "home brewing" stuff that Dr. Lava seems to be against, although I can't understand why
"Clamped input" isn't used here.
"Interlock loop" isn't used here.

"one blown 445 diode from a mis-assembled home brew driver instantly turns you from saving money into losing it." That may be so, but the same is true of the flexmod.

jayrob said:

If you haven't tried the FlexModP3...

Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, the FlexMod is great! It just doesn't make sense to me that you'd pay big bucks for a modulated driver and... never use the modulation. :yabbem:

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Cyparagon said:

He didn't say much of anything, did he?

Click to expand...

I find the driver very easy to set up and use. I would agree if you are very skilled with electronics which I know you are that a DIY is a great solution. For a member that is going to want to buy a hot kit all set up ready to go is probably not going to want to mess with doing a DIY project with a driver and take a chance of blowing a $50 diode to save $27 dollars.:beer:

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

DTR said:

For a member that is going to want to buy a hot kit all set up ready to go

Click to expand...

But it's not. There's soldering, mounting, and pot adjustments to be made on the flexmod.
You might say "but the seller takes care of all that." But then why not have the seller put together for them a cheaper, smaller one that does the same thing?

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

I don't disagree that a DIY driver is a good option but they both have their advantages the biggest for me is that it is that the P3 is easy for me to set up. And I have always heard the P3 is a quality driver. I will admit I don't have much experience building my own drivers. I actually got a few of these http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/sold-out-3a-ldo-regulator-ld1085-lm317-type-61449.html hoping to build my first DIY driver and get it set to 1.8A but I not sure all of what I am going to need or how to put it together yet.:thinking:

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Cyparagon said:

But it's not. There's soldering, mounting, and pot adjustments to be made on the flexmod.
You might say "but the seller takes care of all that." But then why not have the seller put together for them a cheaper, smaller one that does the same thing?

Click to expand...

I'd be interested in trying out an LM350 based driver...

I do have a question or two on building one if you don't mind...

Do you know if the voltage between the sense pins is 1.25 just like an LM317?

And I believe you would need a pot that is rated at 2.5 Watts to handle 2 Amps correct? (if 1.25 volts between the sense pins)

And also... Would the cap and silicon diode also need to be rated for 2.5 Watts?

And finally, would you happen to know what supply voltage would be needed to drive a 5 volt diode at 2 Amps using an LM350 based driver? Is it the same as with the LM317 (DDL) drivers?

Because with the FlexModP3, you only need 1.5 volts above diode voltage.

Which means that it works great for a 445 build using only 2 X Li-Ion batteries. (such as with my Maglite kit)

And I doubt that a circuit using an LMXXX based regulator will do the same... Probably need 3 X Li-Ions. (if you can find the proper rated components for running it at 2 or 3 Amps)

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

DTR said:

I don't disagree that a DIY driver is a good option but they both have their advantages the biggest for me is that it is that the P3 is easy for me to set up. And I have always heard the P3 is a quality driver. I will admit I don't have much experience building my own drivers. I actually got a few of these http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/sold-out-3a-ldo-regulator-ld1085-lm317-type-61449.html hoping to build my first DIY driver and get it set to 1.8A but I not sure all of what I am going to need or how to put it together yet.:thinking:

Click to expand...

LM317 Current Calculator - Electric Circuit
Parallel Resistance Calculator R1 + R2 = equivalent resistor R equiv total resistor finder - sengpielaudio Sengpiel Berlin (if needed)
and Digi-Key

and maybe a capacitor if you want to be extra safe

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

jayrob said:

Do you know if the voltage between the sense pins is 1.25 just like an LM317?
And I believe you would need a pot that is rated at 2.5 Watts to handle 2 Amps correct?

Click to expand...

Yes and yes, although it might be better to use a resistor.

If a pot is rated at 10W 1KΩ for example, they don't say whether that is across the whole resistance pad or not. It probably can't run at 10W if you set it at 5Ω because the 5Ω volume is much less than the 1KΩ volume.

jayrob said:

Would the cap and silicon diode also need to be rated for 2.5 Watts?

Click to expand...

Caps don't have wattage ratings because ideally they don't make heat. They only have voltage and capacitance ratings, and those can be the same since they aren't critical. The silicon diode is just there to help prevent reverse bias damage to the laser diode and can be omitted. In the event of reverse-voltage, it might pop no matter what the wattage rating. We just hope the user realizes the battery is in backwards before the protection diode has time to over-heat. So that value can be the same as well.

jayrob said:

would you happen to know what supply voltage would be needed to drive a 5 volt diode at 2 Amps using an LM350 based driver?

Click to expand...

According to the datasheet in figure 4, the dropout (depends on current) is about 2.25V+Vref of 1.25V = 3.5V. So yes, you might need 3 Li-Ions but there are lower dropout high-current regulators if that doesn't suit you.

Re: FlexModP3 Drop In Module...

Cyparagon speaketh the truth, as usual.

there are lower dropout high-current regulators if that doesn't suit you

Click to expand...

Like these, for example:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/sold-out-3a-ldo-regulator-ld1085-lm317-type-61449.html

About the potentiometer:
It's great when you are making them en masse and selling your drivers to a lot of people.
But if you are DIYing them on a individual basis, you'd be better off just using
fixed resistor instead, less cost/hassle/space/complexity IMHO.

Apart from that, good job on the module, jayrob, nice seeing all those educational pictures
of you doing some quality building!
"Plug and play" modules are always cool.
I remember seeing someone somewhere making Flashlight "P60" style laser drop-ins!
I just can't remember where.
EDIT:
Oh, here it is:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/drop-laser-module-p60-44687.html
Something about the idea of having one "gun" and a quiver of different color beams appeals to my inner geek.