2xAA blue ray driver (fits in aixis)

woop said:

the main reason i mentioned the zetex component is because it is in a SOT23 package which is tiny, and it doesn't require any other components or only one extra resistor

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Hmm, the circuit could stay the same size this way... That would be amazing.

7.8GBP for 10 ZXCT1009s is like $US 16.. But the store i would have to order through charges a little extra on top. In the end it would probably be $2 for one 1009 or even more. Need to ask.


But if you think it's worth it, i can order some.

woop said:

[quote author=phenol link=1209911140/0#10 date=1209988708]as of the 6x burner diode voltage, at 110mA it is ~4.7V and decreasing as it heats up, so i had to use sepic config if i wanted to power it off 4xNiMH cells. 2 would have been not enough, 3-perfect, but since my charger only charges 2 or 4 at a time, i decided to go with 4. when fully charged, the voltage per cell is >1.4V

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huh? are you talking about a blueray burner?
2 AA's should have worked, they would only need to supply around 250ma to drive this circuit at 110ma @ 4.7V[/quote]
yep, 6x blu-ray burner it is...i even smoked anodized Al with it (open can reds smoke it even better )
2AA NiMH would have worked only when fully charged. Once they reach their nominal voltage, LM3410 would be powered below specs....
using high-side current sensing ccts is way simpler than doing the same thing with op amps. Also look into LT6106. You may even be able to order samples

well as you said in post 5... its only worth it if you want to heat sink it or install it in a grounded metal case, like a flashlight

An idea that may be of use to you when inserting bulky drivers into the Aixiz housing to ensure that nothing touches the case (when there is no room for shrink sleeving).
I have drilled an 8mm hole in the side of a spare Aixiz back end and cut the end with the small hole off.... so it is an open tube with a thread at the end.
I can now wind it onto the front end thread and look to see that everything is clear.

Regards rog8811

using high-side current sensing ccts is way simpler than doing the same thing with op amps.

Click to expand...

yeah i agree, especially to make it small enough to fit in an aixis module
it might be a good idea to find another switching chip, one that will work down to around 1.5 or 2V, so 2x ni-mh will work ok

rog8811 said:

An idea that may be of use to you when inserting bulky drivers into the Aixiz housing to ensure that nothing touches the case (when there is no room for shrink sleeving).
I have drilled an 8mm hole in the side of a spare Aixiz back end and cut the end with the small hole off.... so it is an open tube with a thread at the end.
I can now wind it onto the front end thread and look to see that everything is clear.

Regards rog8811

Click to expand...

there is actually a good 1 or 2mm clearance. enough to wrap electrical tape or shrink wrap, i should probably do that...

igort. where did you get these awesome sounding diodes?

woop said:

igort. where did you get these awesome sounding diodes?

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psxboy.com has X-BOX HD-DVD sleds for only $40. They seem to have the older model, which contains diodes capable of up to 100mW and more.

We are discussing them in these threads:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1209940381
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1204080284

Now the ones from PSX-BOY have not been verified yet, but daguin has two clearing customs right now.. The model number does match the ones where people found the good diodes tho.

woop said:

well as you said in post 5... its only worth it if you want to heat sink it or install it in a grounded metal case, like a flashlight

Click to expand...

Well, since these diodes run at close to 5V or sometimes even more, the high powered HD-DVD ones might benefit from some heatsinking... Especialy, since they will be somewhat overdriven...


I think i'll use Phenol's 3410+op amp circuit for most lasers, as soon as i can find some time to make it double sided and smaller. Way too busy at the moment tho... Should be preparing a lecture instead of talking here...

If you can come up with something smaller tho, well... I would send you some of those Zetex chips for free, as long as i get to use the circuit in the end.

The LT6106 might be worth looking into as well, especially since it could be free. But i REALLY need to stop thinking about laser right now!
EDIT: Ordered LT6106 samples. They limit the sample order to two pieces, but they have two versions so i'm getting four...

But i REALLY need to stop thinking about laser right now!

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lol i know how you feel.

i would gladly make a few circuits for you, but i am out of chips, and inductors, but source of caps and resistors is ok (lots of electronic junk i have hoarded)
the LT6106 actually looks very good, and i noticed that the lm3410's are now available to sample in SOT-23 packages

another advantage of using a high side current sensing amp is that you can adjust current using a smd pot

I might be able to order more samples of the 3410 on another company, so i could send some to you.

The SOT-23 would be easier to solder, but would take up more space.. Do you think a board could be made to accept both types?
But since they have the new type of sample available, you can order it too.. As well as the YSD version, which you haven't ordered so far, but should work just as well.


And i can also send you the inductors. Which version are you thinking about? the sepic or just the boost?
I can definitelly send at least 4 inductors, maybe more, depending on how many i have. Need to check. How many would you need? I guess i can order more if needed.

the SOT23 are around the same size, 2.85x2.92mm, the LLP was around 3x3mm
i wonder how much they would cost to produce...
now that i think about it, you would probably be better off making a few yourself. rather than sending parts to and from australia... and i would have to charge something for labor, because its time consuming making these things, especially 2 sided boards... getting the layers lined up, i have stuck to single layers up till now

I wonder how much interest there would be for these drivers. there is already competition but this could have the advantage of fitting in an aixis module
they could probably be produced for like $7-$8
maybe your company could produce them

i attached a layout using the LT6106 with a pot for adj current, proof that it can all fit

You must have misunderstood me.. I wasn't asking you to build me some boards.. I was just offering to send you some components, so that you could draw the circuits and build them for yourself, and share the transfer pics.

I want to make my own. I just won't have time to draw the boards myself untill June or so, because i'm preparing a lecture for a conference at the moment, as well as building a second batch of prototypes for a big customer at the same time! The prototypes have to be finished just a week after the lecture. I'm having trouble finding time to breathe in between.

I was just hoping, that if i send you the parts you are missing, you would be more motivated to draw the modified circuits, since then you could use them yourself.. I can still send you some inductors if you need them. Looks like i have enough.



Otherwise, my company could have these produced, but it probably wouldn't be worth it. It is hard to make something like this and sell it at a low price with profit. Dr_Lava is doing an amazing job, selling circuits like this for only $20. If i wanted to do these, the PCBs would end up being very cheap, but due to a minimum order, i would get HUNDREDS of them. And the best thing to do would be to have the components assembled in the factory. That means buying hundreds of each of the components up front. In the end, an individual driver would be cheap, but the investment wouldn't. And who would buy such a large number of boards? My company mainly does custom designed electronics - when someone wants something, that doesn't exist...



EDIT: Oh, i see now why you misunderstood me. I wrote "as long as i get to use the circuit in the end". I meant the circuit drawings.

Is the picture just meant to prove it fits or is it actually connected the way it's supposed to be?

oh ok, yeah well i am getting quite used to using eagle, so its easy to design boards
I think its connected the way its supposed to be, i did it at like 1:30AM so it might be dodgy

edit: i screwed up, the following is wrong

and the resistor values are 0.1Ohm for the combined sense resistors, 20K for Rin and a 1K pot for Rout
this will give a maximum current of 95mA and a minimum of zero

or use this equation to work out resistor values for yourself.
(current) I = 0.19 * (Rout / Rin) / Rsense

edit, should be I = 0.19 * (Rin / Rout) / Rsense

the datasheet limits Rin to 500ohms max...

So you finished this thing like an hour after we first talked about it?!?
I'm still shocked. I thought it was just meant as proof of concept (that it fits). So it would just work?!? With the LTC6106?

That's amazing. I have the 6106 on order, so i will definitely be making this. Thanks man!

If you need some inductors, just let me know!