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FrozenGate by Avery

A Look at Ryan's First Build - 1.8W 445nm C6

Joined
Feb 18, 2012
Messages
796
Points
28
Alright guys, so I've finally completed my 1.8W 445nm C6! Technically, it's my 3rd try, since the first two failed :P

My Thoughts
It was a long road, but a very insightful one it was. Went through over 5 hours of work trying to figure everything out for the first time, ran into a couple of bumps along the way, like having 2 CREE drivers and 2 A140's die on me. But after using Moh's quality linear driver and DTR's M140, things finally worked out. I gotta say, I've learned a lot and am now equipped with much more experience. With the addition of taking the time to heed all the advice from the likes of flucero28, Fretwrecker94, Blord, Gatkins, Ghostchrome, and Mohrenberg (thanks guys) in my help threads and on PMs, the 3rd attempt went silky smooth.

The Build
Host: C6
Driver: Mohgasm Linear @ 1.6A
Diode: Very efficient M140
- With 3-element lens (outputs 1.8W @ 1.6A)
- With G-2 lens (outputs 2.1W+ @ 1.6A)
Additions/mods: Arctic Silver'd 3 layers of cut aluminum fins onto the driver IC, measured so it's thick enough to be further heatsinked to the inside of the pill when pressed, for ultimate heat transfer! (Thanks Moh for the advice!)

IMAG0126-1.jpg

IMAG0128-1.jpg


The Beam
The first time I turned the beast on, it burned a black spot on my wooden bed frame immediately on contact. It also instantly burns your skin, which I found out painfully the first time I adjusted the focus. :p Never thought the laser would be this powerful!
*These beam pictures are all taken w/o fog and with an Android so they're not the greatest

Down the residence hallway :)
IMAG0131.jpg


Into the starry night (sad cam can't pick up starlight)
IMAG0135.jpg


Looking at the beam head-on
IMAG0199.jpg

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LPM Results
As you can see from the following LPM log names, I really only expected to get 1.5 - 1.6W, and was astonished with the results.

3-Element Lens after full charge
DIY162AFullCharge3-element.png


G-2 Lens w/o full charge
DIY162AG-2.png


Conclusion
At 5 hours worth of foregone time and $100 worth of foregone drivers & diodes, my "first build" was surely a costly lesson. However, I am coming out of this with 3 builds worth of experience--probably more because you learn more from your mistakes than successes. And best of all, I am now a father of one of my own babies (not adopted ;)). I'm a bit on the promiscuous side though, so you'll be seeing a lot more babies from me in the future :D

---LPF Initiation Complete---

CHEERS MY FRIENDS! :beer:
 
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Excellant :D

Thats an amazing reading with the 3 element lens @ 1.6A. I've yet to hit 1.5W with mine and have only peaked at 1826 with a G2.

I like the aluminium fins idea. These hosts do get very, very, warm running at these currents.
 
Nice build!

What was the pain like on your hand? Does it leave any marks/scars?

What's the duty cycle like?
 
:thanks: everyone!! It's funny... Now looking back, it seems so much easier and everything makes much more sense than when I started the build.

@LesPaul it stung like... a sharp pain when it hit my finger.. like a tiny drop of boiling water splashed on you. But then I also smelled burnt hair lol no idea how, maybe microhairs on my finger :crackup: Exposure was within 0.1s so it didn't burn me enough to leave a scar (that would be terrible).

Duty Cycle
I just timed how hot it gets and I'm comfortable with a duty cycle of 90s/60s. It gets pretty hot after 120s. I heatsinked the driver really well so as expected the lower part of the host is just slightly warm but the upper part where the diode is gets pretty hot at 120s.
 
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Very nice +1 , and that thing lies in the 2W territory.. :gj: very nice 3rd build xD
I would suggest using a G2 lens because in higher power builds like yours , 3-element aixiz lens will build up more heat in the diode-lens gap and cause the diode to run hot.. It will be a better option as the g2 is thinner and would let 95% light pass through..
or using a focus adapter with aixiz 3-element is another option!!
 
Am I the only one seeing the pictures deleted or moved error? :thinking:
 
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Photobucket is full of sh**!! use tinypic.. it also has an option to resize'm!!
 
Lots of time when noobs are asking dumb questions about which laser to buy someone will tell them just to DIY because its cheaper and apparently simple. Which i have never really believed but look forward to building my own laser just for the satisfaction. Were your mistakes solder heat related or something else. Would you recommend being very good at soldering before attempting a build? Also if you were to start over would you try it first with a cheap diode and driver?
 


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