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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Potential deal on 2w blue laser?

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Oct 7, 2012
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Alright, first things first, I'm a bit new here so if I break any kind of faux pas unknowingly please let me know.

Alright, to business.

I was in the market to build a high powered blue laser. It would be my third build, so I think I'm ready. When I was searching on ebay, I found this:
2W 445nm Blue Laser module Diode/lens heatsink/ driver tested | eBay
Now, at first glance it seems like a great deal. Everything is pretty much all there already except for the host/power source. Comes with a good lens too.

However, I don't really know the seller. Would I be better off getting one from DTR? What would you guys recommend?

Thanks for your help!
 





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Faux pas #1
first thread/post IDEALLY is an intro of yrself to our community-- we like to hear a bit 'bout you'
You failed to enter your location in your profile- many here are reluctant to help if we have no clue where you are- diff 'rules' in diff places.
we like to know your birthdate ( we will send you a cake)
and your goals with lasers- yr education/occupation and other interess are helpful too.

I think that seller IS a member here- which is almost always the best place to buy- after that go with the high repped seller like DTR. < cant go wrong with Jordan.
Survival alsers, mcrouse, jayrob- flamin'pyro and many more- less time waiting for shipping and better cust. support IMO.
GBs are good if you want a deal and can wait..

IF we knew where you are there may be a good member and you can dela in person-

Most come here without doing much reading- something that will cost you $$ later-
are you aware that selling completed lasers in USA over 5mW is not quite 'legal' .
do you know that almost all who try to build FAIL on the first attempt-(start with the cheap- less cryin' in your beer later)

not too late to make the intro thread in 'Welcome' you will get great links to go and READ- we have no audio books here-

w/o some knowledge you will fail--
esd, polarity, pin out, heatsink, death by over heat- dummy loads- setting the mA.. is only part of what you need.

GL
buy a JAD kit< search that if you need to
hak

welcome



 
Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
5
Points
0
Faux pas #1
first thread/post IDEALLY is an intro of yrself to our community-- we like to hear a bit 'bout you'
You failed to enter your location in your profile- many here are reluctant to help if we have no clue where you are- diff 'rules' in diff places.
we like to know your birthdate ( we will send you a cake)
and your goals with lasers- yr education/occupation and other interess are helpful too.

I think that seller IS a member here- which is almost always the best place to buy- after that go with the high repped seller like DTR. < cant go wrong with Jordan.
Survival alsers, mcrouse, jayrob- flamin'pyro and many more- less time waiting for shipping and better cust. support IMO.
GBs are good if you want a deal and can wait..

IF we knew where you are there may be a good member and you can dela in person-

Most come here without doing much reading- something that will cost you $$ later-
are you aware that selling completed lasers in USA over 5mW is not quite 'legal' .
do you know that almost all who try to build FAIL on the first attempt-(start with the cheap- less cryin' in your beer later)

not too late to make the intro thread in 'Welcome' you will get great links to go and READ- we have no audio books here-

w/o some knowledge you will fail--
esd, polarity, pin out, heatsink, death by over heat- dummy loads- setting the mA.. is only part of what you need.

GL
buy a JAD kit< search that if you need to
hak

welcome



Alright, thank you! I'll go back to my profile and add in all the left out information. Also, I know I've missed my opportunity for my first post, but should I go ahead and make an introductory post anyway? Thanks!
 
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I've bought from him before, he's trustworthy, makes a quality build, and is very helpful if you give him a call.
 

IsaacT

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I want to reiterate what Hak said above...start with the cheap to get a feel for building lasers. I know I jumped straight up to an A-140 handheld build from a PHR Labstyle build and having no previous knowledge of building in a handheld host I killed my first diode. Just recently I had a 90 dollar diode go to PhotonHeaven because of a broken pin....I didn't drink that night but I almost cried....almost....
 
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I've made two already, do you think it would be better if I made a few more before moving on to a high powered blue? How many would you recommend making before going that far? Thanks :p
 

IsaacT

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If the ones you have made were handhelds you will probably be fine, but if they were lab style lasers, be advised that handhelds are a completely different project. VEry small amount of space, and you are working with smaller components which require good soldering skills.
 
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Alright, thanks! They were both handhelds so I may go ahead and give it a shot. I was thinking about getting a bit creative and using a huge old flashlight as the host. Will two D-batteries be adequate sources of power? I see no reason why not but most people seem to prefer rechargeable AA or AAA batteries for some reason. Again, thanks for the advice!
 
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My 2 cents:
For being one of your first few builds I suggest going simple and use tried and tested components. Here are some useful links if you would like to build something fairly easy:

Host: Survival Laser C6(get the copper heatsink): Survival Laser C6 Host Assembly

Diode: DTR M140 445nm Diode(get the $95 1.7W 445nm Copper Blue Laser Module W/X-Drive & Three Element Glass Lens deal at the bottom):https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/445-m140-didoes

Contact Board: Survival Laser Driver

While this may not be the cheapest way to do it, it is pretty much the simplest build possible using some of the best parts available from some of the best sellers around(Jordan and Gary are da bomb). :cool:

Don't forget to use the LPF445 10% discount on survival laser that is given to LPF members.:shhh:
 
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Joined
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Alright, thanks! They were both handhelds so I may go ahead and give it a shot. I was thinking about getting a bit creative and using a huge old flashlight as the host. Will two D-batteries be adequate sources of power? I see no reason why not but most people seem to prefer rechargeable AA or AAA batteries for some reason. Again, thanks for the advice!

If youve built a few hand helds before, I wouldnt be too concerned. Most people here use rechargeable Li batteries. I just did a quick google search for "D" sized Li batteries and didnt find much useful info. Most of the cells offered were primary and not rechargable, so Id suggest trying a 32600 or 32650 cell (which is slightly smaller). If youre interested, have a look at this thread: http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-feilong-6000mah-32650-li-ion-batteries-71201.html

Please bear in mind the potential of a Li battery is 4.2 V fully charged! ;) :beer:
 
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I do not think standard D batteries are a good option but D sized lithiums will give you insane runtimes and a better selection of drivers. Two standard Ds would only supply 3V which is much to low for most drivers. You may also instead want to look into a readily available(and fairly cheap) 26650 sized lithium cell that is a little bit smaller in diameter than a D so a PVC pipe insert would be suggested. You could probably get one from jayrob if you asked.

Link to some 26650 cells(actually 4000mAh not 5000mAh):
TrustFire 26650 Li-ion Batteries Rechargeable 3.7V "5000mAh" (Pair) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

This of course if you decide to go with using your D flashlight. I would take a wild guess and say its probably a Mag?
 
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IsaacT

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If I were you I would go for a bigger host for a powerful 445. C6's are nice but I would want more heat dissipation if it was me. You should PM Jayrob and see if he can make abheatsink for your big flashlight.
 
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With the deals DTR offers on modules with the driver attached, I found that I don't even bother soldering diodes anymore. Might cost you a little bit more, but keeps you from killing diodes. Remember though, if you go with something like that, you likely won't be able to fit it into one of those tiny hosts. I'd go for the bigger flashlight like you're thinking. Give you a nice long run-time and duty cycle. I'd be happy to build you a heatsink for your flashlight. Just shoot me a pm. :beer:
 
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DTR's presoldereed deals don't effect what you can build except in the once case where you need to attach the driver directly onto the diode. For a small build just toss the aluminum back half and you have the same sized setup as anything else. I enjoy DTR's prepressed deals mainly because I only have a 5.6mm diode press and can get other sizes already pressed and I do not have a vice yet to press the other sizes with.
 
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you got some great advice from all- and there are some fine forum members in Tenn. too.

few diys here use primaries-- they cost too much in the long run and at 3.7+ vdc one does better than two 1.5 vdc primaries-- the most used battery is by far the 18650-they are just right IMO. and they are cheaper than most because a gazillion of them are used in most all of the older laptop batt packs.


happy building and GL

hak
 




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