Here's Another Great Blu-Ray Host!

This MXDL uses 3 X AAA size batteries (Use 10440 3.6 volt batteries for a Blu-Ray with DDL driver) http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.974 This is a great host for a Blu-Ray!

It was only about $12 bucks at DX: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3405
It's a nice, solid feeling little light with a glass lens. It would make a nice light for a Cree mod as well. (using normal AAA's and an AMC7135/1050 driver)

You can see from how it comes apart, how easy it is to modify. The diameter of the driver mount is larger than the 'red build' MXDL, (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171) but there is so much room in there, it will be easy to fit a DDL driver with a pot...

You can see how big the threaded piece is, which holds the emitter and the 'would be' driver. There is no driver, it's just a positive/negative board with a direct connect to the emitter...kind of strange. But, I took the tail switch apart, and there's no resistor in there. Just a clicky switch. Nice click too!

From this angle, you can see how much room there is in there. My heatsink (shown there), is almost the exact same as the 'red build' MXDL heatsink. Just a very slight adjustment on the thickness of the lens/reflector width. (Of course, you can use the 'washer' method as well)

Size comparison is similar to the 'red build' MXDL. A little shorter, but the head is bigger. Thicker metal and more solid feeling too. The body is a little bit bigger around as well, but close to the same size as the 'red build' MXDL. The only thing is, the 10440 batteries I found, are not protected. I'm not worried about it though, because the draw on the batteries with a Blu-Ray will be very little. Anybody know if they make AAA size, 3.6 volt batteries that are protected? Anyway, just thought I would share 'yet another' Blu-Ray host...
Jay

Nice review and pics as always Jay. Sorry but I have searched high and low and through the valleys for protected 10440's. There doesn't seem to be enough room in them for the circuit. However since the BR draws such little current I would not be too concerned either. Most battery explosions occur from over discharging, then charging, or over charging. However while en explosion or venting of a battery this small would still be a bit nasty, I would not be nearly as concerned if using a RCR123 for example.

very nice find, and review. thanks.
I ordered one host from kaidomain and if it shows to be good candidate, I'll let you guys know.
Good thing its free shipping from that site (China)

Thanks guys!
Here's some more pictures for this build...

You can see that I just built my driver, and then mounted it to the existing board. The negative ring already had a hole. I drilled a small hole near the center for the positive feed, and then soldered the LM317 lead to the center. (where the battery pack positive touches)

Here, you can see that I used a 50 ohm pot, in place of any resistor. (thanks for that suggestion Gazoo) I found these at Digikey. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2670-1-ND They are 11 turn pots, so you can make very fine adjustments. Almost too small! Lol...You have to use an eye glass screw driver. The solder points are small too. I soldered some pins on first, and then mounted it to my board.

Again, I am very happy with the room inside this host! Here you can get a good idea. No need to cut off the top of the LM317 heatsink!

This is waiting for my Sony BWU-100A Blu-Ray 2 X writer drive, which I should have in hand before the end of the week. It should have the diode listed at the top of this Sony product information chart: http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/pro/laser_diode/blu_ray.html 408nm @ 65mW! I think it will be the 405-408nm diode. From what Will says (from laser66), a 405nm is needed for burning/writing, plus, it is a Sony page. The only way to know is to try it! We shall soon see...
Jay

Edit: I found this to be a better pot:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2981-ND
Here it is here:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1202168096/0#14
The one pictured here (this white one), is a little too small...

Awesome.... and I did read where you posted you have another drive on the way. Man, 65mw's of violet is going to be sweet. I will be very interested in how well it lights matches. It should be a piece of cake. Of course the beam should be much more visible that the GB BR's. Good luck Jay. I will be crossing my fingers this turns out as it should.

Nice! I need to order from DX today, so i may pick one of these up too. Only thing I dislike about them is that I always feel like I'm not getting a good ground. I think I'm actually going to get the $12 MXDL to keep as a flashlight, that thing is the best flashlight for that price.

hey jayrob were did you get that small pot?

oh yea this is good for blurays too
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3760
1AA and with a neww batt it outputs 5.3volts and drops slowly

we should make a post for all nice hosts for blurays

toked323 said:

hey jayrob were did you get that small pot?

oh yea this is good for blurays too
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3760
1AA and with a neww batt it outputs 5.3volts and drops slowly

we should make a post for all nice hosts for blurays

Click to expand...

1 AA?? Boost circuit? I believe you need about 9 volts for a blu-ray with a DDL driver. Anyway, the link to the pot is posted in the thread...
Jay

YES for DDL's circuit this i just set the current, oh and were did you get that pot? it looks small and nice

toked323 said:

YES for DDL's circuit this i just set the current, oh and were did you get that pot? it looks small and nice

Click to expand...

toked323, I am new at the blu-rays, but I have done my homework. Just want to tell you that if you use a DDL dirver for a blu-ray, you will need a 9 volt power supply. Anyway, I did post a link to Digikey for the 50 ohm pot. But, here you go!
Jay
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2670-1-ND

thanks jay, but what i meant was all i used was a current limitting resistor with the driver thatss already in the flashlight not using the DDL driver

jayrob said:

[quote author=toked323 link=1202168096/0#8 date=1202266194]YES for DDL's circuit this i just set the current, oh and were did you get that pot? it looks small and nice

Click to expand...

toked323, I am new at the blu-rays, but I have done my homework. Just want to tell you that if you use a DDL dirver for a blu-ray, you will need a 9 volt power supply. Anyway, I did post a link to Digikey for the 50 ohm pot. But, here you go!
Jay
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2670-1-ND[/quote]

Jay the flashlight he is referring to has a boost circuit. An led will not run off a single cell. So the voltage is boosted to whatever voltage the led needs to run at it's designed current. Since the blu-ray diode only draws 38ma's, it is very possible to use a boost circuit to run them because 38ma's is not going to load the voltage down to whatever the led would. The led is drawing much more current. I don't think the driver would be able to supply enough voltage for a blu-ray burner diode. In fact I would not even attempt it.

I might try this project after I get my MXDL 300's finished...

Jay the flashlight he is referring to has a boost circuit. An led will not run off a single cell. So the voltage is boosted to whatever voltage the led needs to run at it's designed current. Since the blu-ray diode only draws 38ma's, it is very possible to use a boost circuit to run them because 38ma's is not going to load the voltage down to whatever the led would. The led is drawing much more current. I don't think the driver would be able to supply enough voltage for a blu-ray burner diode. In fact I would not even attempt it.

Click to expand...

Thanks Gazoo... I have to do my homework on the boost circuit stuff. So far, the DDL driver is working good for me though...
Jay

yea this is good for 5-10mw bluray not a burner i tried a red and it blows

Hey here's a better 50 ohm pot if you want to build an adjustable DDL driver like the one I have shown here:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2981-ND
That 'tiny' one that I used in the pictures above is too small, and has no pins on it. This one has the pins on it. Now it's only 1/4 watt (200mA's or less when used with the LM317), so I am using it specifically for a DDL blu-ray driver. It is a 12 turn pot, and gives you fine adjustment over the current...
Jay

jayrob said:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=490-2981-ND

Click to expand...

It's so nice DigiKey added pictures to the main description page. Cuts down on the clicks.