Here's a really cool project that is very easy to do...

I wanted it to be portable, so I used 3 X AA batteries. I'm calling it my 'Glow Marble Mini Light'.

I will be selling the heatsink and 1" crackle glass glow marble if you would like to follow this build. (see below)



I found the perfect size project box for this. It is a very nice solid, clean box too...



Parts:

* Project box: Digi-Key - HM1168-ND (Manufacturer - 1591XXLBK)

* 3 X AA battery holder:
Digi-Key - BH3AA-W-ND (Manufacturer - BH3AA-W)

* FlexDrive:
http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_d..._FlexDrive.php

* E6000 adhesive:
E6000 Craft Adhesive information

* Soft touch switch: (RS)
SPST 3-Amp "Soft-Feel" Push On-Push Off Switch - RadioShack.com

* Price for marble and heatsink:

If you would like to follow this build, I will offer the heatsink, with a 1" crackle glass uranium marble for $28 dollars plus $3 dollars shipping.

* Please read my shipping policy here!




Assembly pictures:











Notes:

* Not using a lens in this build. I put the marble right up to the thermal sensor of my Coherent meter and rotated it around to try to get the max reading off of the reflections, and the max reading I could get was 1.2mW's.

So, although it glows very bright, I really don't think is is harmful to the eyes. (although I could be wrong. Please chime in on this)

* It is brighter than I thought it would be! And it looks a lot better than the camera shows...

The marble is mostly a 'greenish glow', but there are blue 'flecks' all on the inside of the marble. Looks really cool, but I just hope it's not damaging to the eyes.

As mentioned above , I only measured a max of 1.2mW's with my meter. So I would think it is fairly safe since the beam is not collimated. (just using the bare diode with the marble over it)

* I set the FlexDrive to 90mA's for longevity to the PHR diode. I am using a 1 1/4" massive heatsink. I did a 30 minute test run. The heatsink was at 81.5 degrees at the beginning, and in 30 minutes, it was at 83.5 degrees.

* Using 3 X AA batteries/FlexDrive/PHR @ 90mA's should give good battery life.

* You could easily set it up with a 3 volt DC wall plug if you wanted to!

* The heatsink is fit for an AixiZ module. There is a set screw at the back of the heatsink for easy module removal in case you need to change the diode.

Hope you like it!


P.S. The beam is not collimated. And if this light mod does not require FDA approval, I would offer the complete build. But I would think that it is still considered a laser...



Click here to see my list of projects and tutorials!

Awesome! Another nice project!! I will be in contact!

-Adrian

Glad you like it!

Just let me know...

Take a video of it

Haha that's tight man.

Awesome desk novelty. ;]

ooh adapt that to a 9v wall plug with a rckstr and you got your self a cool nightlight!

Or a 3 to 5 volt wall plug and the FlexDrive that I already have in it...

That would be easy to make a plug for a choice of plug in, or battery.

But it is nice an small...

I wanted it to be very portable. Set it in the bar, or on the BBQ island by the pool at night...

Another clever idea Jay ! + 1 REP for ingenuity & cleverness, not to mention a nice clean build........rob

Thanks Rob!

Thats awsome Jay! That'd make a nice little light to work at night with (might need two lol) and NOT wake up the wifey!

Looks great, awsome job again man!

Tyler - Dark Lasers

Yes it is brighter than I thought it would be! And it looks a lot better than the camera shows...

The marble is mostly a 'greenish glow', but there are blue 'flecks' all on the inside of the marble. Looks really cool, but I just hope it's not damaging to the eyes.

As mentioned in my first post, I only measured a max of 1.2mW's with my meter. So I would think it is fairly safe since the beam is not collimated. (just using the bare diode with the marble over it)

Cool stuff, Jay; but I can't help to ask: Is the bluray laser really needed? Couldn't this be done much smaller with one or two UV LEDs?

UV LED's are pretty crappy, PHR's do just as good if not better for the prise.

Nice work Jay

Thanks!

I do have a nice Flashlight mod that I used a UV emitter for, and it's pretty bright!

I don't know a whole lot about the UV emitters that I got from DX, but just from my initial experience, I would guess that they take a lot more current vs brightness compared to a PHR at 90mA's.

But it would definitely make the marble glow!

With this little project, I was trying for something small and portable, but still with good capacity in between battery changes...

what's the longest that you've continuously ran one of these?

Just for the 30 minute test run...

But climbak did some longevity testing on PHR's a while back and he ran one for over a month straight. (at 90mA's I believe) That's with no heatsink! Here's the thread:
The XBOX 360 HD-DVD high power laser thread

Thanks for the link, I must have missed that one.

I did one with LEDs, it just makes me want the REAL one. PM sent.

Just think of all the radiation... laser radiation, (arguably) UV radiation, 500-something-nm radiation, nuclear radiation from the glass including alpha, beta, and gamma radiation... even some infrared radiation (like all things above 0 kelvin).

I know it's not in dangerous quantities, but it would be fun to explain.

pyrotech, got you covered...

I'm shipping your marble and heatsink today. (Friday)

Nemo2423, and ZheolD, I am sending your 1" marbles today with other items. (Monday)

Thanks!

EvilPlankton, I sent your heatsink, marble and box for this build today. (Tuesday)

Hope you like it!

I would like to suggest you a couple of things

Since a phr can be driven perfectly with a DDL driver, using 4 CR2 batteries could make it smaller and reduce the whole project price, also allowing to build your own driver, giving the full DIY touch

Secondly, using a big pot with a resistor in series like shown in the DDL circuit would allow one to regulate the light from the outside!

Anyway, great idea

Sure! That would be an easy option...

However a FlexDrive is much more efficient. And will get the most available capacity out of your batteries. Hardly any power wasted in the form of heat.

But yes, you could wire some rechargeable batteries in parallel to maximize capacity for a FlexDrive...

well, what I meant is that with 4 cr2 you get like 12.8V, so until it goes down to 7V, you have plenty of hours xD

Anyway, if you plan to use it as a real decoration item, a flexdrive atached to an USB supply, you could easily use your PC or the AC wall with a very low power consumption!