Stacking drivers using led flashlights as hosts.

If that is the 12X one, I have it, it burns faster than any IR diode I have, it's very nasty to play around with if you aren't careful, I took the batteries out of the host I had mine in and don't even want to use it anymore I'm so afraid of it. I have no problem with my 2 watt 455nm laser which can also blind in a flash, but this 405nm is deceptively weak looking to the eye and burns much faster with less than half the power of my 455nm blue laser diode.

The purple one is my fav. I'm very safe with them. I was lucky enough to find a 405 on Craig's that ran off 6v that was super strong. So you suggest a 12x? I can't wait to order my new ones.

What about powering it with this mounted inside a nice host? 5v 1 amp to much? Should I stay a volt or two under what the drivers max is? Or right on it?

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I wouldn't worry about staying below the drivers max, if it is spec'd to run at such and such a voltage, run it there, if you need to, even if it is max. Maybe someone else will chime in with a different opinion, if anyone has one on this.

The 12X I mentioned is this one, on DTR's web site, what I have:

Amazon.com : 700mW 12X 405nm S06J Blu-Ray Diode In Copper Module W/Leads : Everything Else

But.... it is deceptively weak looking to the human eye but burns quicker than you can imagine, I don't recommend this one for anyone to buy unless you are extremely careful and wear eye protection. Truth is, that is good advice for any laser, but this one in particular is rather wicked. Another thing, make sure this doesn't end up accessible to minors, this diode is one I feel really needs a host with extra protection against being able to use it such as a key and two power buttons. Here's more on it from DTR with his driver in the module:

12X S06J Bluray Diode In Copper Module W/Driver & Three Element Glass Lens
Choose your current 250mA-500mA
For best life stick to 450mA and under
3V-5.5V Input

Click to expand...

When it comes to recommending someone buy a specific diode, I don't recommend this one, I just feel it is too wicked, but I guess that doesn't really make sense, even a low power laser diode is dangerous if you don't use it properly, as a knife or any other tool.

Somehow the purple one I had and burnt up made the absoult strongest beam of any purple laser I have seen since. Hopefully my new one will match. What about this as a host. I intend to integrate the proper lense for focusing. And have seen this lasers heatsink it's fairly large. No fins tho. Do you think the heatsink in this laser would work for the lasers I'm planning on using. 405 nm 700mw and a 2w 455nm

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I wouldn't build anything with that, it has very little heat sinking in it.

My apologies, but at this point, I'm going to let someone else answer. I just don't like that particular diode and probably shouldn't have brought it up for someone fairly new to lasers, this isn't a good one to start a build with.

Like I have said I use them very safely and am new to assembly but not usage. a 2w 455 imo is just as dangerous. I like the ability of the blacklight lasers to light up certain materials. They charge glow in the dark paint and objects best too. And you can unfocus it all the way for forensic use. the heatsink on my 6v one was .25 the size of the one inside this laser and that one operated at max power for two years. With a lot of use

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3azuLCsX3y3Qm00M2xGbWZUN0U/edit?usp=docslist_api

Check it out. Even thought about having a shop make me custom copper heatsinks it is already thicker than a 18650batt