First Lab and First Red Build

Just finished my first Lab / 660nm Build

I am using a 250mw diode at 300mA with a LM317 driver. I am using a standard budbox as a case and a 9V battery to supply power. The lens is the Axixz glass 600nm and up lens. The pot allows adjust-ability form 180mA to 316 mA. I am very happy with how it came out the beam focuses nicely but has a ring like saturn and I can see the entire beam outside when it is dark.

Here are pics

The box


Driver back



Driver front



POT



Full BoX



Outside pics







Beam shot



Driver

So I have noticed as I turn the current down I get less of a saturn effect on the beam. It has a line going through it I think this is typical of these diodes but what I want to know is does the line mean I am over driving it?

The line is pretty typical of red lasers, i know my reds have it. Great job on that build
btw. If you want more run time i'd sugest you try and stay away from 9V batts,
especially when you start to build even stronger lasers, then tend to sag on power.

nice job. is there some way to dissipate heat?

^ it looks like the module is screwed into the metal host, its not a lot of mass buts its
definately better than just the module by itself.

I am running a SLD1236VL diode at approx 310ma. Not sure what I can max it out at but I built the driver to only go to about 310 so I would not be tempted. If you guys think it can go higher let me know I can always swap a resistor

iwannapony said:

nice job. is there some way to dissipate heat?

Click to expand...

The driver is screwed to the side of the case with a thermal transfer pad and the module is screwed into the hose I tapped the side of the box and lubed it with some AS5 before screwing it in.

Gryphon said:

^ it looks like the module is screwed into the metal host, its not a lot of mass buts its
definately better than just the module by itself.

Click to expand...

Yup it is screwed in. The host is fairly beefy aluminum with a decent wall thickness. The contact area could be better but it does not seem to heat up at all

As for using a 9V this is a low power build so I am ok with it and I also had the connector. For my other builds I have been using a 18650 host with great success.