My first build "Ole Blue" Lots of pics.

Hi, this is my first attempt at a build of any wavelength. It's been a great learning experience.

I think it turned out pretty good for a first try. Here is a list of the main components I used.



- 9mm 445nm diode

- v4 copper module

- 2.1A X-drive

- 405 G-2 lens

- 2x - 25500 batteries

- Generic host $8.00

- Home made copper heatsink (160grams)

- Arctic silver thermal compound


Here's some pictures (they are just cellphone pics., sorry)


Original LED flashlight components


The two 25500 batts. are about 1/4" (6.35mm) longer than the original c-cells, so I modified the tailcap spring by the same amt.
to reduce the pressure on the switch retainer.


Ready to build.




I tried something a little different for the neg. attach., I used a copper ring sandwiched between the heatsink and the host.


It seemed to work pretty good.


I removed some of the plastic ribs, in case i needed room for wires.




Polished copper heatsink.




Unfocused beamshot.










A view through my "Eagle Pair" goggles.


Some outdoor beamshots.










Some beamshots alongside my PL-E 445nm 1.5W.







Update - 5/26/13 Added S.S. focus adapter, made by Flaminpyro.




T/Y for looking. :thanks:

Since this is my first review, I definitely welcome all suggestions and ways to improve.

A special thanks to DTR for the great diode assy.
Also, thanks to awillis2589 for answering all my questions.

BTW - this is a good host for 1st time builds, lots of room to work with.
If you like this host, see the reply directly below this post!

EDIT - 6/21/13 Power output measured at 2815mW With Ophir 5W/Fluke dmm


Jeff

Copper heat sink looks amazing!! Great job! +rep but messed up the text. Stupid Mobil site wish there was an app for this forum.

Thanks for the rep, and the comments, it's greatly appreciated! :beer:

The copper h.s. is nice, I've run it for almost 3mins., and it barely gets warm!

This is a great looking build! Do you have any pics of that PL-E in your hands or something? It looks MASSIVE!!!

Nice build. You could have made the heatsink bigger at the back for even longer duty cycles.

Really nice, especially being your first build!

All it needs now in a copper focus adapter!

wannaburnstuff said:

This is a great looking build! Do you have any pics of that PL-E in your hands or something? It looks MASSIVE!!!

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Here are a couple of quick pics.
BTW - The J/L PL-E 445nm is about 13.5 inches long!
It has the battery extension tube, and uses 2x 26650 batteries.

Zeebit said:

Nice build. You could have made the heatsink bigger at the back for even longer duty cycles.

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I could have left more stock in the rear of the heatsink, but, I made the h.s. before I received the diode, and never having built one, I wasn't sure of the room i'd need. Next time.... more heatsink!


@awillis2589 A copper heatsink would be sweet!

Thanks for the input guys.

man, that thing IS massive!

Copper heat sink (A+ 4 U)

Damn that PL-E is one massive beast.

+rep for you.

BowtieGuy said:

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Lol at the cat pic

+1

DJNY said:

Lol at the cat pic

+1

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Pretty sure that's just house decor.

TheDukeAnumber1 said:

Pretty sure that's just house decor.

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Yes, there is no shadow. But nice idea anyway!

TheDukeAnumber1 said:

Copper heat sink (A+ 4 U)

Click to expand...

Zeebit said:

Damn that PL-E is one massive beast.

+rep for you.

Click to expand...

DJNY said:

Lol at the cat pic

+1

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Thanks to all you guys for the + reps., and positive comments. :thanks:

BTW - The black cat is a plywood cutout painted black.

@ Corey5188 and Zeebit - The PL-E 445nm is definitely a BIG boy! You might not want to be out in public with it to often, might be considered a weapon!

IMHO J/L makes some of the nicest looking products out there.

If I could spin my own heatsinks I would be set. That is a lot of copper!