445nm "Evolution" DIY 250mW

Gryphon said:

Its looks great with the blue beam coming out of it! What did you end up doing with the
original green module after you removed it from the pen?

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RA_pierce said:

It went into a Chrome pen with the current turned down a bit and the optics adjusted. Perfectly centered beam and 1.1mRad divergence. It's a CNI module. It's awesome with the chrome body. Power output is 130mW+.

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meepo said:

Wow. Does the LED indicator still function?

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RA_pierce said:

I haven't installed an "emission indicator" yet.
I'm just waiting for some stuff in the mail. Should be here by next week.

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meepo said:

I see. I hope you'll post a tutorial for this sweet build, I want to try this myself with my own evo.

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RA_pierce said:

I was thinking about it.
I have a few other DIY projects that are almost finished, just awaiting the emission indicator as well... I considered making a guide for these:

Here is a 130mW green with CNI module (already has the indicator), a 295mW red, a 130mW violet, and the blue Evo:


Here is the red:

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RA_pierce said:

I was thinking about it.
I have a few other DIY projects that are almost finished, just awaiting the emission indicator as well... I considered making a guide for these:

Here is a 130mW green with CNI module (already has the indicator), a 295mW red, a 130mW violet, and the blue Evo:


Here is the red:

Click to expand...

leukoplast said:

Those look like Jayrob pen hosts! I have a chrome one I hope to build with a 445nm tonight. Although I plan to have the output at 150mW or lower.

In one of the chrome pen hosts, what would you suggest the max power to be for a 445nm? Cause if my first build is successful, I will probably make another pen build but with a much higher output 445nm (300-400mW).

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RA_pierce said:

They are Leadlight Chrome hosts bought from Jayrob.
I normally buy my pen hosts direct from Leadlight, but then what's the point of the "community?" :wave: And Jay ships fast.

The 445 is a current hog, so I would say that 100-150mW max for a small build like a pen.
I tried out a 445 ~375mW and ~200mW in the pen hosts and it heats up way too quickly. Also, AAA batteries are too weak to support the diode even with the flex drive.
This is why the 445 went in the Evo instead. It is still "compact" but has a better power source and more mass. Even the 2700mAh NiMH Sanyo rechargeables I use with the Evo drain quickly. These monster diodes are not suitable for pen hosts, if you ask me.

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leukoplast said:

Well, I guess I'll find out quickly how good or bad of a idea it was for me to make a pen build from a 445.

Although I am not looking for a burner, and don't need long duty cycles. I just want something to point around with so I can enjoy the wavelength. Which is another reason I want to go lower on the mW. I might even consider driving it just above LTH. Which from daguin's results, might get me about 50mW.

Now when you say it heats up quickly, does that mean it will get within dangers of killing the diode in a matter of seconds?

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meepo said:

Oh man, I really hope you post a tut for this. What a sweet build!

Also, why won't the original emission indicator work?

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