445 nM Build review

Since my order for a Spyder III didn't get accepted, I built my own. I love to review my own work!!! This is stage 1 of a 445 nM project and those of you wishing to have somewhat medium power may want to look at this. Stage 2 will go to higher power. This is a picture of the housing between an old SkyLaser 200 and a WL EvoPro 130 for size comparison.



Having this unknown housing I acquired here, I decided to use it for this portable project. The housing also provides a warning light and key switch disable needed for this class of power. My 445 diode is pressed into an Aixiz module. This module is installed into a machined 6061 aluminum heatsink ( 1.3" x 1.2") to fit the head of the housing. This provides mass heatsinking for the diode assembly.



Now some specs:
Housing: Unknown -- 8" long
Weight 14.1 Oz with cell
Power source: 1x 18650 Cell
Driver: 18650
Lens: Something I picked up off the bench -- It may be an old 405-G1
Power Out: 250 to 400 mW
Divergence: to be tested yet

This housing had a number of electrical connection faults which are now corrected. This is typical of many early high powered portables I looked at 1.5 years ago. A little work with an Ohm meter finds these faults.
The 18650 driver is just what it means. This is (GASP) direct drive from the cell to the diode.If you study the data posted here, you will find that many (not all) diodes will run at 4.2 volts. That happens to be the FULL charge voltage for a LiIon cell.... YMMV ! Switches and threaded connections often add a couple 0.1 Ohms resistance which can drasticly lower power.
I'm not recommending this "direct drive" assembly because your diode may be different and YOU need to profile yours before you attempt this drive method. Also, 18650 cells vary in quality and mine, with full charge will put out 400 mW quickly dropping to 350 mW as the high surface charge is pulled off.

Here's a lousy beam shot:
445 vs EvoPro 130......



More to come when I add a DrLAva boost driver............Stage 2

HMike

Rayfoss has a similar housing for their greenies.

It's also the current high-power housing for O-Like's high powered greenies.

There's a LED behind the power button, if I'm not mistaken.

EDIT: Found it.

Why wasn't your order accepted?

Also, do you expect to be able to get a decent divergence on this build?

@ gonin----
That's the housing though mine doesn't have that shutter pin. It does have the warning light around the button.

@ laze---
WL says my order was lost in the computer overload --- Steve replied that he is too busy to check and I can believe that!!! My order won't be missed. As for divergence, I have a JayRob 405-G1 lens coming. It will improve my "dot" I'm sure.
I'm not going to turn up the power until I make the Divergence tests. I don't want to be down range of 800 mW !!!!!!
There's room in the head to add another lens ass'y if needed.

HMike

Looking good so far.

Who'd you buy the host from? I'm interested. :drool:

NIce build.
so is this direct drive at the moment??

Nice work, Mike. The old host (housing) that you used, looks exactly like the ones that BOB LASERS uses. I'd be willing to bet that, that is what you've got there. You didn't happen to get that off of Kenom did you ? I was in on the GB that Day of Shadows ran. When I got the laser, (it was a 250mW GREEN), the laser never worked & DoS never refunded my cash, so I sold the host (& INTERNALS) to Kenom.

I got that housing as a dead, missing parts unit from someone here. I believe it was Kenom and it was the only one.
I now have ~$90 in this 445 laser !!!

HMike

This is direct drive right now.
Then I got this housing from Kenom- You're right

I'd bet money that it was the host that he bought from me. Looks just like it. Glad to see that you made something so nice out of it. From what I can see, it looks like a fine job Mike. Can't wait to see the finished products mW out-put !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WoW-ZeRs

how long will it last on direct drive?
i have a LCC on direct drive at the moment running on ~3v i pland to add a driver tomorrow.
cheers

phoenix ---
You are likely right. I got a few extra parts with the "gutted" unit. Sadly, The crystals don't lase anymore even with 10 WATTS of 808 drive :-( Oh Well -

BY THE WAY --- There are only a few of us VETS here who have used "Direct Drive" for diodes. It is done only after much testing and understanding of the impedances of the source and circuit. Don't attempt this unless you understand electronics and have profiled your diode.

HMike

TT --
We (I) don't recommend direct drive. I hope you are watching the Ild carefully.

I don't want to see a KipKay trashing of diodes here. Do the science first.

HMike

When I say profile the diode, I mean graph it out. My 445 draws 800 ma @ 4.1 volts and 900 mA @ 4.2 volts. LiIon cells typically MAX out at 4.2 volts.. I also know that this diode will withstand 4.3 volts for several seconds. Profile your diode.

yeah im not a kipkay dope a 16x would have definatly died with those voltages.
i have it hooked up with a filter cap and rectifier diode anyways. will have an lm317 driver tomorrow

I been looking for these hosts...I figured I'd try asking rayfoss for a spare one, i like them a lot

When you say direct drive...You mean a power source and some resistors right? Not the LM317 setup...

TT ----

You need to talk to that "kid" THINGS in the down under!!!! He will help you.

HMike

JBTM --

Read the info. If you don't understand what I've said, Don't go there - get a driver.
I really hesitated posting info on direct drive here.

I wish there could be a special forum for advanced testing...........

HMike