help with this flashlight

i got this on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Watt-CR123-Bl...yZ106988QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

took it apart, removed the LED and have negative and positive wires sticking out. i have a multimeter. how do i check if its safe to put a BluRay diode on it? its a single CR123A flashlight, what is needed to be done to get a diode soldered on? i put a multimeter's terminals to the + and - terminals and i get randomnly fluctuating readings then it ends up saying 0.L i have no idea what that means

first, do i set the multimeter to AC or DC?

second, how do i get the real reading? and what voltage/mA is safe to plug the 803T diode into?

Hey man,

There is a couple of things that you have to do:

-first I am pretty sure (dont quote me on this), that you are going to need a driver for your laser, I say pretty sure cause the driver might be fine to use, but I highly doubt it.

-Second to get a good voltage and current reading you are going to have to use a load, a resistor and a LED should do the job nicely.

I dont want to sound like an a$$ but it seems that you do not have that much multimeter experience?

Here I googled up this site http://www.doctronics.co.uk/meter.htm it should give you all the knowledge you will need to use your multimeter.

Other than that just look around the site there have been quite a few well documented 803t builds with pictures that would be of great help, jayrod's is the first one I can think of, you can find it in the tutorials section.


Hope that helps?

brtaman

Is this ok? I put my multimeter on the wires and heres the results i get:

V AC/DC mode:
 Auto DC = 05.07V
 Auto AC = 0.002 to 0.003V

mA AC/DC mode:
 Auto DC = OL mA
 Auto AC = goes up to about 25.00mA then says OL

this multimeter does up to 400mA - does that mean it's way over? i hear 5v is OK For blu ray diode, but it needs 90mA

so what kind of resistor do i need to reduce >400mA to 90-100mA?

don't use that flashlight's driver. buy a driver for it. rkcstr offers them for ~$10 and DrLava for ~$25

heres the problem im kind of overwhelmed by how they describe to use the microdriver by drlava.. as in what exactly is a test load.. is it necessary? Can someone provide a step by step easy to understand process of what is to be done?

i was told i cannot use rckstr's driver because 1x cr123a battery doesnt provide the minimum voltage required for operation

so i have to use the lavadrive.. but im confused how to use it

also:
from micro flex drive user manual.pdf:
In operation, the driver will drain the battery until its voltage (during operation) reaches
2.5V and then will shut off. If this happens it is time to replace or recharge your batteries

how long does 3.0 cr123a or 3.4 v rcr123 last until that occurs?

kinesis said:

heres the problem im kind of overwhelmed by how they describe to use the microdriver by drlava.. as in what exactly is a test load.. is it necessary? Can someone provide a step by step easy to understand process of what is to be done?

i was told i cannot use rckstr's driver because 1x cr123a battery doesnt provide the minimum voltage required for operation

so i have to use the lavadrive.. but im confused how to use it

Click to expand...

ah, yeah rkcstr's require like ~7V or 7.2V.

the test load is just an LED or old diode, anything with a 2.5 voltage drop across it will work. you use this to measure the current being output while adjusting the potentiometer. Look at the PDF of instructions on dr lava's site for more details.

hey sk8r i modified that post i already read that document if you can check up and read it again

Hello,

Here just go to this site http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Micro_FlexDrive.php and download drlava's flexdrive instructions...

The low power flexdrive goes from 32-150ma (even at max current it shouldnt burn out your diode, this is based on the results daguin has been getting with the diodes), so (although not the best method), just turn it to the center and you should have a good current for your diode, though I do not have a flexdrive and am not sure what kind of pot he is using (does it have endpoints, or is the kind that just keeps spinning if its the second you should use a multimeter to make sure proper current is supplied).

Otherwise you can just get the load modules rckster is selling, then upon connection messure the current flowing and adjust it to the level you deem appropriate through the use of the pot.

sorry for the quick explanation but I am tired from a long days work and it 12pm here.


brtaman

brtaman

i did downlaod it already (see my post above) lol. im also wondering if 1x CR!23A is even going to be enough.. once the 3.0V battery drops to <2.5v it will die.. im curious as to how long the battery will last?