need some guidance please!!!

What do you use as a battery supply? I was gping to use the 3x aaa holder in the flashlight and solder leads to it but it only tests at like 4.2v and my driver is 5-10v

2x lithium cells in SERIES

Lithium what?

Lithium ion. Grab two 16340 or two 18350 or two 18650 or two 26650 lol. Depends on your host size, but all of those will be fine voltage wise.

Sweet. I ordered 4 5000mah 3.7v 18650's

and just what are you planning on putting the batteries into? you will need to use 2 of them to get the required voltage for the driver you described. 18650's are long
you have a few here willing to help you, but you must help us. some pictures of your driver will help a lot. if you plan on building a handheld the driver has to fit in there along with the batteries and a heatsink. your location and age would help us a lot too. you may have another member living in your home town.
above all, take some time to read and re-read some of the build tutorials. the search bar is your friend - don't shun it.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/need-help-soldering-beginners-solder-flux-101-a-72040.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/i-want-build-laser-thread-52972.html
these two threads may be of help

Ya i wil. Sorry if i seem lazy i just work 60 hours a week amd hae a 3 yr old so dont have much free time. Iwill post some pics tonight for ya.. thanks for all the help, as for a hosy i have a few differwnt flashlights so i guess ill have to see how big these batteries are.

weav6385 said:

Ya i wil. Sorry if i seem lazy i just work 60 hours a week amd hae a 3 yr old so dont have much free time. Iwill post some pics tonight for ya.. thanks for all the help, as for a hosy i have a few differwnt flashlights so i guess ill have to see how big these batteries are.

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Thanks for posting this. not lazy, just insanely busy, and you are spending time with your little one as opposed to spending hours looking up how to build a laser. I've got a 6 yr old myself so I know how hectic things can get.

Your 18650 batteries will be about the same size around as the 3AAA holder (a little skinnier) but it will be about 1/4 longer. They make flashlights that will accept these but most will only take one at a time. If you look around ebay you can usually get cheap lights.

The numbers on the battery tell you the size. 18650 is 18mm in diameter and 65mm long 0 refers to the shape I think 0 being round but don't quote me on that.

an 18350 is another size and you will probably have better luck finding an 18650 host that will take 2 of these stacked since 2 x 35 is just 5mm longer. I just did a search for 18700 flashlight on ebay:
18700 flashlight | eBay

Any of the lights using an 18700 would fit 2 18350's. You will lose overall run time but since you need the extra voltage options are more limited.

Also did you get a lithium battery charger? Stay away from the cheap ones they've been know to fail and catch fire. I have the efest charger. It's a bit more expensive but it has an LED display to tell you the charge voltage. and will charge just about every size of li-ion battery. It will also be a good idea if you go with the 2 18350's to charge them fully then tape / heat shrink them together end to end. Li-ion batteries can fail and **!EXPLODE!** if both cells (batteries) aren't at the same charge level.

Awesome info thanks alot! Wish i had know this before i ordered them lol. They come with a charger. I got them on ebay for $7 so i figured i would learn the expensive way. I have several flashlights that i thnk i can make work just depwnds on where i put the driver. I am a machinist so i could even take a piece of aluminum pipe and turn threads on each end and make my own length also i have a high end lithium charger for my rc trucks that could probable charge them as well. But i think the one they are comng with will suffice.

You can make your own heatsink then. Make it to accept the module and fit snugly in the head of the flashlight, so the bezel will end up holding it in place.

weav6385 said:

Awesome info thanks alot! Wish i had know this before i ordered them lol. They come with a charger. I got them on ebay for $7 so i figured i would learn the expensive way. I have several flashlights that i thnk i can make work just depwnds on where i put the driver. I am a machinist so i could even take a piece of aluminum pipe and turn threads on each end and make my own length also i have a high end lithium charger for my rc trucks that could probable charge them as well. But i think the one they are comng with will suffice.

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You're a machinist?! You were holding out on us! I wouldn't leave them on the charger with out periodically checking and def not overnight! But as long as you don't run too much current on them the RC charger should be fine (assuming its got adjustable current).

Lol yep i do setup and programmingon cnc lathes too;-) hard thing is sneakong stuff like that in.