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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

"Glowtorch-type" mod (200mw 660nm red)

chimo

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I posted this in the other review thread, but I guess it belongs in this section.

First some data:
I did some voltage and current readings.  
The module draws 208mA down from 6V until about 4.15V.  At that point the current continues to drop as it falls out of regulation.

So that means at least 380mW ((6-4.15)x208) is being dissipated by the driver with fresh batteries.

If we assume the circuit is about 90% efficient just where it drops out of regulation, that would mean the LD would get about 780mW of electrical power (4.15x208x0.9).  

Anyone know the electrical to optical ballpark efficiency of red LDs at this drive level?

Now some mods:
Tailcap shroud (to prevent accidental turn-on)


Aperture cover.  Heatshrink, wine cork, green plastic, arcrylic rod.  The green plastic greatly attenuates the output and the arcrylic further diffuses the output. That way, you can still see if it has been left turned on.



I got curious.  The brass module is 14mm wide (OD) and about 47mm long. The white stuff is silicone.


Regarding the power drop due to the anodizing - it is possible.  All it had to do is add about 9 ohms of resistance for the driver to drop out of regulation.

Paul
 





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How can you open the plastic between the head assembly and the body (the one which brass ring are held)? Do you know diameter of the diode, whether it is 5mm or 9mm diode? Thank you :)
 

chimo

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Bernhard said:
How can you open the plastic between the head assembly and the body (the one which brass ring are held)? Do you know diameter of the diode, whether it is 5mm or 9mm diode? Thank you :)

Since this started as a "broken" one, I was not too worried about the warrenty, so I cut the label along the joint. I then unscrewed it (you must unsolder the contact washer first). The brass sleeve that the driver sits in is long - it's hard to see down the center to determine the diode diameter.

Paul
 
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What's the purpose of the attenuation and the lucite plug? :-?

I went back through the other threads, but I missed why that was done, to provide diffused laser light for some kind of experiment or effect? Is it some kind of test of the laser itself?


Wait.

Ohhhhhhh. It's just a dustcover, and with the plastic you can tell if the laser's on or not, wasting battery or accidentaly burning something etc.

Never mind. :D
 

Daedal

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That stuff looks great! :cool: And now it's completely pocket safe ;)

Nice shots too. Thanx;
DDL
 
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I already remove the label completely, but it seems that it is hard to unscrew. Is is held by some sort of glue, or it is just bare thread?
 

chimo

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There was a small amount of glue on mine.  The glue is heat sensitive - you could try heating the metal head a bit with a hair dryer. Mine came loose with just a strap wrench.

Paul

Bernhard said:
I already remove the label completely, but it seems that it is hard to unscrew. Is is held by some sort of glue, or it is just bare thread?
 
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Thank you, I managed to open it with rubber strap. It is held by green threadlock glue, and depend of the amount, it can be easy to open, or it require more than strong hand to make it turn.
I finally managed to dissasemble the whole unit...
 

chimo

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Bernhard said:
I finally managed to dissasemble the whole unit...

By whole unit, do you mean driver board as well? Pictures.....? :)


Paul
 
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Yes, driver board as well :) It is very easy to open. The assembly house 5.6mm diode, not 9mm (T05 package) :(
I really hope that it contains bigger diode, since I originally plan to use it as a host for 1W 808nm...
In the driver board, there is a pot that can be adjusted. I don't know how to upload a pic. Anyone can help? Maybe I can forward the pic to you, and you can help me upload it here?
 

chimo

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Bernhard said:
. I don't know how to upload a pic. Anyone can help? Maybe I can forward the pic to you, and you can help me upload it here?

Bernhard, email sent. Just email me the pics and I will post them. Cheers,

Paul
 

Gazoo

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Thanks all. I am looking forward to seeing the pics. It sounds like the diode should be easy to get to if it needs replacement.
 
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Pic also include exploded view of how it is assembled. I hope someone can do a board trace, and can help to interpret how the circuit works, how the current can be boosted, etc.

The whole brass assembly are easily removed, as it is only slided inside the black outer barrel. The only resistance is from white thermal grease that badly applied to the outer brass barrel.

To remove the brass assembly from the black outer barrel, just use the back of exacto knife and push it from the front. Or you can turn the focusing ring until it is recessed from the front, and push against the flat table. If you are not afraid of change the focus of your laser, the latter is easier to do, IMHO.

The brass assembly has 2 part, the front part housing the diode, and back part (cylinder) that protects the electronics and provide more thermal contact path to the outer barrel. This part can be screwed open to reveal the electronics inside.

I still trying to figure it out how to remove the laser diode without destroying it, since the diode is held against the brass housing by some brass ring from the back and sort of glue. There is no notch or anything to easily remove the ring to extract the diode.

That's my draft How-to-dissassemble this monster :) Hope chimo can help me attach the pic and relate it to my explanation, to make it clearer for everyone... Thanks Paul...
 

Gazoo

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WoW! Thanks a lot to both of you for getting these pics up. It looks like the diode could be replaced by knocking it out from the front......and pressing a new one in from the rear...if I am not mistaken.
 




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