20 feet match light?

Today, I got my goggles, so I started to mess around with my Stonetek 16X diode. I got it preinstalled in the module also.
So I've tried lighting matches from 4-5 ft, and it works great, then I bumped up to about 20 ft or so by using a magnifying lens. My question is, Is it even remotely possible with this diode to burn the same match without the magnifying lens? Thanks!

I don't think you can get enough power out of those diodes to do that. Don't get me wrong, they are great diodes and burn well but it takes quite a bit more power to light a match @ 20'.

However, if you get an open can diode from say a 20X DVD burner you can safely run those at >500mA and light matches @ 20'.

jayrob has done it here http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1197272621

I'm doing it in a MXDL flashlight.

Yep...as roSSco says, you need to push the LD pretty hard to get an un-aided match light at that distance! We have been doing just that with open can diodes. Also, at that power, you will need to have a good heatsink in there as well. Here's my thread page showing some details:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1199846835/60
knimrod did it as well...
P.S. On the next page of that link, I made another one using an AixiZ acrylic lens (which focus down/burn better), and I lit a match at 20' with it...
Jay

Hi jayrob i heard your good knowledge about building powerful handheld dvd laser, i going to ask you something , i think i need your help, i have already build a LD driver using DDL LD driver, i will be using 2 pcs of CR2 rechargeable battery, and im using LG 20x DVD Burner diode, if that's an open can thing, what should be mA i will be needed to reach 250mw or 300mw if possible, and is it possible to keep a proper LD life with that power output? please give me a suggestion how to make it powerful enough and then have quality life for the diode? i hope you coul help me, this is my first time to build the DVD burner hand held, thanks.

Well, not so sure about how long these open can diodes will last at this power. But, if you have a good heatsink, and use short (30 - 45 sec.) duty cycles, we are hoping to get good life out of them. We shall see about this... Gazoo has been running an open can at 350mA, and I believe he has had good diode life at this current. The DDL driver is what I am using. If you use a 3.3 ohm resistor at the LM317, it will supply around 375mA using 2 X 3.6 rechargeables. This is better for longer diode life. I like the 3.0 ohm resistor! This will give you around 416mA! (I got 421 with one circuit and 422 with another) At this current, you should get around 250mW with an open can and an AixiZ acrylic lens. The glass Meredith lens will give more power and a brighter beam (over 300mW), but less of a burner, because you can't focus the glass lens down as tight as the acrylic lens.
Make sure you have some good goggles...
Jay

thanks man that woul be a good help, actually im using 3 10ohms for the DDL driver and 2 pcs CR2 battery to have 6volts input, im searching yet for the good heatsink for now, and i have already a acrylic lens for the focus, to have 200mw to 250mw its fine with me, i just like to have a powerful enough red laser to light matches and firecrackers, pop balloon, cut black tape, something like that, im happy with that.

You know, the Senkat diodes are great for the DDL DIY Laser Torch at 250mA. This is using 5 ohms at the LM317. (2 10 ohm resistors in parallel) This gives you around 170mW. Plenty of power for burning and popping. The open cans need more current, but will put out higher power too! Anyway, it seems that you are off to a good start...
Jay

ok that's great, i will post my project after i finished it, thanks again.

I lit a match at 25' tonight!