Now that I've finally managed to get it apart, it seems as though the switch assembly in my 3 D-Cell maglite might be capable of supporting a laser diode. I'd have to plug something into the bulb holder, to shore up the wasted space, but I believe connecting the diode's leads directly to the switch and case can work.
Trouble is...though I've tested the batteries AND the diode, I can't seem to get any voltage out of the bulb holder. My voltmeter reads positive current from the two contacts, yet when I connect a 10mW laser diode I get nothing. I have another battery pack, from a smaller light, which powers the diode with three AAA batteries, so I'm certain the power source isn't the issue.
I've also managed to break the LED bulb during this process. Nuts.
Question is...what are the possible causes of this phenomenon? I need to be able to narrow my search down to a few areas, but deductive reasoning has failed me this time.
I could get another cheapie to try again, but would rather not waste money.
Anyone try this yet?
EDIT: All right, I'll chalk this one up to a beginner's mistake. I'm fairly certain that the set screw wasn't fully in place. You know, the one that makes all the difference between "you have a path to negative" and "you don't have a path to negative"? That one.
Also, apparently the bulb is fine.
Trying again with the laser diode.
Trouble is...though I've tested the batteries AND the diode, I can't seem to get any voltage out of the bulb holder. My voltmeter reads positive current from the two contacts, yet when I connect a 10mW laser diode I get nothing. I have another battery pack, from a smaller light, which powers the diode with three AAA batteries, so I'm certain the power source isn't the issue.
I've also managed to break the LED bulb during this process. Nuts.
Question is...what are the possible causes of this phenomenon? I need to be able to narrow my search down to a few areas, but deductive reasoning has failed me this time.
I could get another cheapie to try again, but would rather not waste money.
Anyone try this yet?
EDIT: All right, I'll chalk this one up to a beginner's mistake. I'm fairly certain that the set screw wasn't fully in place. You know, the one that makes all the difference between "you have a path to negative" and "you don't have a path to negative"? That one.
Also, apparently the bulb is fine.
Trying again with the laser diode.
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