Newbie needs help replacing a laser diode

Guys, I have exhausted my resources, so I thought I would bring it to the experts.

I want to replace the red laser in the Streamlight TLR-2 with an IR laser. The problem is I cannot seem to find the replacement I need.

The red laser in question is listed as a 640-650nm laser that runs on 3v (2x CR123 batteries.

I am not that informed on lasers, but I would like to replace the entire module (just switch the power leads) to the new laser and be good to go, sadly I think it's not that easy. It looks like a proprietary package built for streamlight. It has two flats for the windage and elevation screws and a threaded barrel to interface with the light housing.

I really need need help sourcing an IR laser diode to replace this with.

Here are specs and pictures.

Length is 20mm
diameter is 7.4mm
shoulder diameter is 9.5mm
shoulder width is 1.25mm
threaded section is 4.3mm

unsure of thread pitch





you can see the inside is also threaded. I made a special bit to unscrew that nut holding the lense in, but couldn't get it out.

Any help getting this thing apart further or finding a replacement IR laser would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

is it ir, or is it 650nm? do not stare in to it at all if you think it might be ir. also if it truely is broken the post some pix of the guts of the module. that way we can see if the laser diode can be replaced.

edit... i went to streamlite website. i found that it is a 650-660nm. but i cant tell you how to take the module apart. it is less than 5mw laser. so i am not sure if it is regular laser diode.
you really gotta get it open

michael

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

It's a red laser, and in perfect working order, just want an IR in there instead. How do these normally come apart, unscrew the lens retaining nut? Or access it from the back of the module. I think it's around 2.5-3mw and I am sure the IR laser I would be replacing it with would be 1mw or less.

I am certainly not going to look into any laser. Thanks for the help. I will try unscrewing the module again. Is it possible they used lictors or similar in an application like this?

Thanks

edit: streamlight also sells an IR version, however it's restricted sales. But I am sure it's in the same module as the red laser. Hopefully just the diode is different.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

1- you can try to cantact streamlight and tell them you want to buy the ir module.
2- we need to see the red diode so we can see what kind of diode it is. so that way we can see if we can help you further.

just curious as to why you would want an ir laser there. if it is for night vision, an ir led might be better.

michael

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Streamlight would never sell me their IR module. It is for use with night vision. The purpose built IR systems are very expense, the rifle systems are upwards of 4k, so I am trying to do it a little cheaper. I will see about taking this further apart. Thanks again.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

If you absolutely must...

I can see that you will need to remove the lens nut and remove
the black Epoxy in the wire end of the module..
I can't see the PCB attached to the toggle switch clearly so I don't
know if the driver is on the PCB or under the Black Epoxy.
Either way you will need to gut the module...:cryyy:

Jerry

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

That's a fairly odd looking module to begin with - never seen one like it.

Reading the whole story, i think they might have tamper-proofed it on purpose as well. If they went as far as superglueing the threads and filling the whole thing with expory resin, chances of opening it without destroying it are rather slim.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Benm said:

That's a fairly odd looking module to begin with - never seen one like it.

Reading the whole story, i think they might have tamper-proofed it on purpose as well. If they went as far as superglueing the threads and filling the whole thing with expory resin, chances of opening it without destroying it are rather slim.

Click to expand...

I don't think they used Super Glue for the Lens threads...
The cyanoacrylate fumes would instantly coat the lens..

They may have sealed the end with epoxy and locked the lens threads
because it is used outside and on a violent shock producing gun..

The module is designed to be adjusted by the flats on the case.. IMO


Jerry

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

A few questions before I start on this. If I end up destroying the electronics for the diode, can I get a replacement? Do you think the epoxy extends down into the housing?

What do you think the chances are that I will be able to get a replacement IR diode. I don't care about destroying this one as long as the chances are good.

The flats are for the adjustment screws. The flange is to interface with the housing so a gasket can be sandwiched ensuring water tightness.

Thanks for all the help, will have it apart today one way or the other.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Alright, I removed the lens nut and some of the black epoxy. The epoxy is really hard and completely encases the driver board. There is no way I can remove that section without destroying the board. That being said, I am fine with doing that if I can replace the diode and driver board. It's just supplied by 3v source. I could also move the driver board out of the module as there is plenty of room for one.

Here are pictures





the driver board looks like it's a T. The bottom of the T is where the leads are attached to. The top of the T is what attaches to the diode.

I am going to stop here until I get a little feedback.

Thanks again

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

ok those pix help out a little more. do you have access to a caliper? can you tell if the diode is press fitted into that module or is it in another module then put in the brass housing? if the latter... it seems pretty promising... we have modules and drivers that are really small. and the standard size of the bare laser diodes around here are 5.6mm. but there are smaller ones. is there any way you can measure the cavity (depth and diamter) where your module slides into?

check this out... http://www.aixiz.com/store/products_new.php there are modules there with dimensions... they don't list ir but getting an ir diode is easy.

and on this page, the first item is the standard module we use here. and there are 2 drivers from different websites that fit in side. http://aixiz.com/store/index.php?cPath=40&osCsid=274ab2dffe405c5c18ad71a5b3343491


michael.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Ok, the ID of the module is 5.6mm, looks to be 5.6 where the laser resides. I am not sure if my nomenclature is correct, but it looks like the diode and housing are pressed into the module. Best I can tell, the driver and diode combined are about 12mm in length. Basically if I took a 5.5mm diameter rod, and pushed front the laser side, I could push the diode and driver out the back... I think. So it looks like all I would need would be a diode with a 5.6mm diameter and a driver to fit and I would be in business.

Again, thanks for the help.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

that sounds likt its it.... i think you could use the aixiz module with lava driver and put that in the spot where your old brass/red was. and if there is extra room fill with a thermal epoxy.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Do you have links to the correct parts I need? I really appreciate the help. Will the thermal epoxy be required for longevity? So I will need a new IR Diode, driver, and thermal epoxy?

I have another laser that I am planning to do the same thing to. A laser devices OTAL.

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

here is a link for the ir module. i can't tell if it has a driver.
808nm ir laser module items - Get great deals on Business Industrial items on eBay.com!

if your origional power supply is 5vdc or less usehttp://laserpointerforums.com/f64/lava-micro-flexdrive-driver-lavadrive2-fits-pens-22502.html the lava driver

if it is more than 5vdc then go here
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/micro-drive-laser-driver-rkcstr-22553.html

you may not need thermal epoxy of the module fits snugly, or has a set screw.. if not then go here
DealExtreme: Search for thermal epoxy (34 products in 9 categories)

now when you get your drivers, they are not pre set and that takes a little work. you need to buy or make a test load.. and have multi meter, a digital one is preferred.

michael

Re: Newboe needs help replacing a laser diode

Can I use this one?

LASER DIODE 850NM 5MW - D8505I

In conjunction with the lava driver? And fill the void thermal epoxy? Thanks for the help!

It's 3.3v at the lasers source. Will this combination work?

Thanks!