Looking For Battery

First of all, I know next to nothing about lasers, or power distribution. I was hoping you wonderfully smart people might help me with this problem I have.

***TL;DR version at bottom***

I want to give a friend of mine a blue laser as a gift. The point of it is the color, and not the fact that it burns things. So I wanted a blue laser (445nm) that was low powered enough to make sure she didn't burn herself, or anything else around her. Also a laser that she doesn't need safety glasses for. (noting that she doesn't look directly into the laser, or stares at it for long periods of time.

So I bought this: mini B - 445nm 50mW Pocket Low Power Single Mode Blue Laser Pointer

Which, BTW, I'm never trusting this company again. I ordered that specific laser with the battery and the battery charger. After waiting nearly a month, they told me that they could not send the battery, and did not refund me the money for the battery.

So now it's here, and I'm without a battery. I went to a Battery Source in town, and they gave me a pair of CR123A (non-rechargeable), but only one of them worked for about 20 seconds. I brought it back, and showed them the specs of the laser, and said that the battery the website suggests is wrong due to the fact that the CR123A (16340) is 3.0v only, when the laser needs 3.7v.

I'm not one to always believe a retail employee, and I've read a few threads on here that say that they do exist. I just didn't understand anything anyone was saying.

TL;DR - I'm stupid, and I need someone to point me in the direction of a rechargeable battery that goes with the laser in the link above. Apparently Battery Source does not have what I need.

50mW although not strong enough to cause instant blindness is capable of causing permanent eye damage so I would recommend getting safety goggles for this particular laser. Link: Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles

For trusted batteries go here, that's where I always get mine:
http://www.batteryjunction.com/olig...CesAPGILR1k0Q0wInRdFW2uxY_0nBQX6ucxoCWLfw_wcB

-Alex

A 16340 battery is the correct designation for your laser. These put out between 3.7V - 4.2V, as per the link that Greenlander shared.

Tha Greenlander said:

50mW although not strong enough to cause instant blindness is capable of causing permanent eye damage so I would recommend getting safety goggles for this particular laser. Link: Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles

For trusted batteries go here, that's where I always get mine:
Olight 16340 3.7V 650mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

-Alex

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Thank you so much, Alex. Like I said before, I know nothing about how electrical currents work, but I'm pretty sure that the battery charger that came with my laser would charge this. Could you confirm for me, please?

Picture of the battery charger: http://i.imgur.com/P45lVw0.jpg

Sosthane said:

Thank you so much, Alex. Like I said before, I know nothing about how electrical currents work, but I'm pretty sure that the battery charger that came with my laser would charge this. Could you confirm for me, please?

Picture of the battery charger: http://i.imgur.com/P45lVw0.jpg

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Yes it should charge your battery just fine Just make sure to un-plug it before you leave the house or go to bed, these cheap chargers are known to cause fires & even explode!!

-Alex

Assumimg that the charging slot has a spring-loaded retainer then yes this will work for the comparatively short 16340 battery.

Edit: Sorry Alex for the simultaneous reply!

I just bought my first decent laser, a 520nm SF501B, which also uses 16340 batteries. I don't know what kind of tolerances the diode or driver has, but do you think there would be any risk in damaging the laser if the batteries are both providing those 4.2v?

Ian121 said:

I just bought my first decent laser, a 520nm SF501B, which also uses 16340 batteries. I don't know what kind of tolerances the diode or driver has, but do you think there would be any risk in damaging the laser if the batteries are both providing those 4.2v?

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No it will be just fine

SteveT said:

Edit: Sorry Alex for the simultaneous reply!

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No problemo

-Alex

SteveT said:

No it will be just fine

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Awesome, thanks! :thanks:

As long as you are putting those batteries in parallel and not series otherwise it will see 8.4V and either the driver or diode or both are going to fry (unless it calls for 2 batteries in the first place). The batteries should also be the same (don't mix and match different manufacturers or capacities) and be of the same age and charged at the same time. Never mix and match old and new cells.

Pman said:

As long as you are putting those batteries in parallel and not series otherwise it will see 8.4V and either the driver or diode or both are going to fry (unless it calls for 2 batteries in the first place). The batteries should also be the same (don't mix and match different manufacturers or capacities) and be of the same age and charged at the same time. Never mix and match old and new cells.

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The SF501 520 is designed to take 2x16340 in series so in this instance the OP will be fine. Driver is probably set to handle 6-9V DC input.

Tips on battery usage/charging are spot on and sound advice!