~700mW Powerful 638nm Full Custom Build Skeleton Host

Hey Guys it's been a while since my last build and the past few weeks I just felt to build another Laser kind of a drug to me

My first Plan was an ~300mW LPC-826 Build so I ordered the diode and started to think about an driver and host. In all my Builds I wanna do everything on my own so buying a driver was unacceptable for me

I came up with an LM317 Solution for low Power Builds up to 1 Ampere and around 3V these are perfect with two Li-Ions




I draw the circuit on a paper grabbed the parts and started to solder everything



I planned to put around 400mA in the diode even at these currents I wanted to use a small heatsink for the LM317 and I came up with something special

I used a 2 Euro Cent coin grinded it a little bit down for better thermal contact with my self build grinding machine
I first thought they were made of pure copper unfortunately it's just a thin copper layer over some kind of alloy



But doesn't matter even this tiny heatsink should be enough for the LM317 !

I finished the driver an tested it with my dummy load



And then it happened ...
I accidentally ripped of the pins of the diode to a point beyond repair
To much pushing I guess ... Clearly my fault -.-

I already finished a real cool looking host by this time I call it the Skeleton



So I needed a spare diode real quick :undecided:

I decided to do myself an upgrade an test out the new 500mW 638nm
And again thumps up for DTR fulfilling my desires so fast :eg:



This time I was really careful in handling the diode I learn from my mistakes

I adjusted my driver a bit to exact 900mA Even then no Problems with the small heatsink on the LM317 ... It just gets really hot untouchable over 100 Degrees I guess !



I always wrap my circuits up in electrical tape to prevent shortening anything

And I always use Thermal Plaster for strong hold and good Thermal Capabilities never was a friend of set screws to hold the module in place even a press fit is in my opinion nothing against my method ...



I'm using two 16340 I wanted a small and light build this time !



I build my own positive contact spring as you can see in this pic and Case negative as always ... never was a friend of case positive either



Time for some close ups before I fire the thing up









I was really satisfied this time with my workmanship The Host feels so great and smooth to hold I'll never sell this Laser :eg:

And again I'm using a screw to close the connection and turn the Laser on I feel comfortable with it



Now get ready for some heavy load test f*ck duty cyles :na:



The Beam Diameter shocked me a lil first very similar to my 2,5W 445nm



Very visible beam even without fog





But the dot scared the hell out of me I expected worse but definitely not this



I can't call this a dot I don't know what you call it ...
My M140 is bad but nothing like the crappy divergence of this diode -.-

Here's a little "dot" comparison with my single mode 660nm



Still have a lot of fun with this Laser and starting to love it more and more
Pointing it at the clouds and actually see the dot awesome !!

More Color comparison shots between 638nm and 660nm



At 900mA the Diode should output about something between 650-800mW with G2 Lenses didn't know yet but will soon !

I designed (more space for heatventing itself like a cpu cooler) the host/heatsink originally for an unlimited duty cycle (the whole host and heatsink is one unit the complete unit acts as a heatsink) but that was planned for the 300mW LPC-826 and not for this diode
But I got very surprised by the duty cycles! 300 sec on and 200 sec off aren't a problem didn't want to risk more also because of the small driver heatsink !

Overall I'm very happy this time and the next build already waits for me

I hoped you enjoyed the Review
Best Regards
Th3dArKn3o

Awesome Build Could Only Hope Mine Would Turn Out Half As Nice Once I Get Started

jonathanbrown1089 said:

Awesome Build Could Only Hope Mine Would Turn Out Half As Nice Once I Get Started

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Thanks :beer:

Just try hard and you can achieve anything

Awesome build step tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I may have to hit up DTR for one of those diodes!

boldar said:

Awesome build step tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I may have to hit up DTR for one of those diodes!

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No problem mate
I can definitely recommend the 638nm diodes I like that wavelength more and more every day

If your are worried about the duty cycle because of the LM317 you don't have to worry as they have thermal protection, it shuts itself off when it gets to hot, so go try longer duty cycles!

Cube777 said:

If your are worried about the duty cycle because of the LM317 you don't have to worry as they have thermal protection, it shuts itself off when it gets to hot, so go try longer duty cycles!

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I know that but the The pot I used to adjust current is 0,5W Pmax and I put around 1W trough ...
and if I go longer than 5 minutes I think the tape around the pot will melt

Great build! I love it!

Billiam said:

Great build! I love it!

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Thanks always good to hear that :thanks:

Pros = , I always like home built circuits & drivers.

The host is superb.

The hard drive grinder is simply ingenius and I cant believe no one has done it before (here).

Cons = Wrapped insulation tape is a put off. Heatshrink where you can.

Excellent build

+2 to you.

ped said:

Cons = Wrapped insulation tape is a put off. Heatshrink where you can.

Excellent build

+2 to you.

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I got your point with the wrapping ... next time I'll try to use shrink tubes instead ore insulate the part of the host where the driver will be to prevent shortening !

Yes many people told me that already very easy to build and works flawless

What sanding disks do you use?

I use different sand paper from a grain size of 100 up to 4000
I glued the sand paper on the hdd silicon disks.

how you connect the hard disc so can work?

geo-r said:

how you connect the hard disc so can work?

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The hard disc need two different voltages to work properly 12V and 5V with the same negative potential !
I just used a 12V voltage regulator So I can input anything from 14V to 50V and after the 12V regulator a 5V regulator and heatsinked both regulators directly on the case of the hard disk

Great build. The beam profile looks a bit like a Cylon eye from BattleStar Galactica.
anyways, this is a great build... love it!!

Like your HDD grinder. What was the size, 1TB? speed 7200RPM?