685nm WL E2 refurbished

So I snagged a couple of those WL E2s, and decided to do something unique for the competition so far. Already posted a quick breakdown there, but decided to post a real thread about it. I'm driving one of those 2 pin 685nm diodes that you can grab in packs of 3 off fleebay. Driving it with a ghost drive V2 at 35mA and I tossed a 3 element 635-660nm lens on it. Might try an acrylic, will probably get more output, we'll see.

So, the hardest part was getting connectivity. I'll post a picture showing how I did that. I took the neg wire to the driver, stripped it of everything but a bit near the driver to keep it intact, and ran it between a module case and the module itself. I had extra between the module and case now, this was jammed quite tightly between the shell and module, also aiding in the slight gap between the two.

I actually got advice from Jay on this as I've always avoided pens since my first attempt, and failure, a couple years ago. Held that like a grudge... The drive to make something unique for the competition got me over that.

Pictures!

SWEET! She lives!!!! Good job buddy :beer:

Thanks! It's a fun little laser. It's the first time building a 685nm into anything. I had them around, one with a driver, but never put them in anything.

Nice laser!

+1

Very nice!

I can see that "dry red" now. Very cool. Thanks!

What is the expected power output of that laser with just 35mA of drive?

What diameter diode is this? The listing doesnt say, just that it is encased in a big aluminum plate heatsink.

Nice build though! I really like the host, wish I had been early enough to nab one.

-Isaac

I'm getting a solid 20mW. Might up it to 60mA and slap on a G1 to try to get >50mW someday.

5.6mm. You definitely don't need copper, I just have tons of copper modules.

There were 6 left last night, found more in storage.

Great job, BP! Your passion comes out in the hard work you went through, getting this thing to work! And, it's a sexy little host too...

Good luck in the contest!

The 685nm red laser is fun. Not overly powerful but still good color. Very dark ruby red color. A fun laser.

Anyone know someone who still carries drivers that work for these diodes. Ghost drives appear to be out of stock indefinitely.

Or if anyone has one laying around they would like to sell Id be happy to take it off your hands. Let me know.

Looking to run it at 50mA in a single cell build.