Idea for laser build

It's been a while since I've put a laser together, and when I did build my own I ended up burning up the diode about a month later. I kinda just want to build a very powerful laser that is not in pointer form, more of an experimental laser.

I plan to use this diode and driver assembly.

https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/diodes/6w-nubm44-445nm-laser-diode

NUBM44 450nm Laser Diode
In 35mm Copper Module
W/SXD Driver &
G-2 Glass Lens
7-12V Input
$210

I figure if I'm gonna build something I should go all the way with size so I can give it a better duty cycle. I plan to use this heat sink.

2 SK 35 Bearing CNC Aluminum 35mm Rail Linear Motion Shaft Support Series Slide | eBay

1. My question is DTR lists this driver as being able to handle 7-12 volts. Can I use a three cell lipo to power it if the nominal voltage is 11.1 but it could peak at 12.6? I wouldn't want to overdrive the circuit and risk damage, and don't have experience on this topic.

Also, I would probably just use a switch I already have and connectors from a local hobby shop. What kind of housing could I use.

2. Also, would three 16340 batteries be okay for powering the same diode in the 12mm module, in case I built it into a handheld design?

Please any recommendations or thoughts are welcome; noob here.

Thanks

-Sean :beer:

Hello and welcome to the forum!
First off - 16340 batteries are certainly not ideal for building something of this nature. Most of them can't reliably handle a 2A load for any significant length of time. My NUBM44 build uses two 26650s - three of them (or a 3-cell lipo) would be fine too.
And 12.6v is also fine, on my PSU I once accidentally ran my NUBM44 module up to 15V with no damage. The voltage drop from the load is going to reduce it below 12v anyways.
But I would recommend getting the 3-element lens, it is cheaper and has much better divergence. You will lose some power (500-1000mW or so) but in the end it is absolutely worth it.
That kind of heatsink is going to allow for a very, very long duty cycle. You should be happy with it.

:beer:

Hi C,
Welcome to LPF many nice folks here to help if needed.
That is a great choice of diode very powerful, You will need good heat sinking with it DTR sells awesome stuff and has great customer service. I will just throw this out there . If you ever want to build it into hand held i can help with building and machining one for you. Here is just one of the ideas for a host.And also 2-cell 32650 Mag Light hosts with huge heat sinks. Good luck with your build.

Rich

Lifetime17 said:

Hi C,
Welcome to LPF many nice folks here to help if needed.
That is a great choice of diode very powerful, You will need good heat sinking with it DTR sells awesome stuff and has great customer service. I will just throw this out there . If you ever want to build it into hand held i can help with building and machining one for you. Here is just one of the ideas for a host.And also 2-cell 32650 Mag Light hosts with huge heat sinks. Good luck with your build.

Rich

Click to expand...

How much would one of those hosts cost? And would the diode and heat sink fit in a way that I could still adjust the focus. Also how could a contact board be attached.

Crazlaser said:

How much would one of those hosts cost? And would the diode and heat sink fit in a way that I could still adjust the focus. Also how could a contact board be attached.

Click to expand...

Before Lifetime gets back to you all I can say is I beleive its set up for a 12mm module so instead of ordering the 35mm get the diode in Dtr's standard 12mm. The front part is a big disk custom knob that your G2 will screw right into for your focus. All you will have to do is connect the wires from your driver to the wires coming from this build thats set up as a plug and play. You might have to just thermal glue the driver to the sink. Its that basic, and the heat sink is sure big enough to handle that NUM44 diode. It take's 2 26650 batteries for long run time.

I use 3 fully charged quality IMR cells ( 26650's) with my NUBM44's running SXD drivers set at 4.5 amps all the time, I asked and was told 14 or 16 volts was the limit, but 3 cells work just fine.

The SXD needs a minimum of 6.8 volts under load, so I prefer 3 cells to two for my longer run builds.

hi ,
here is a new JADD i made gives you an idea.

Rich

Lifetime17 said:

Hi C,
If you ever want to build it into hand held i can help with building and machining one for you. Here is just one of the ideas for a host.And also 2-cell 32650 Mag Light hosts with huge heat sinks. Good luck with your build.

Rich

Click to expand...

GSS said:

Before Lifetime gets back to you all I can say is I beleive its set up for a 12mm module so instead of ordering the 35mm get the diode in Dtr's standard 12mm. The front part is a big disk custom knob that your G2 will screw right into for your focus. All you will have to do is connect the wires from your driver to the wires coming from this build thats set up as a plug and play. You might have to just thermal glue the driver to the sink. Its that basic, and the heat sink is sure big enough to handle that NUM44 diode. It take's 2 26650 batteries for long run time.

Click to expand...

hehehe, that's the one that's on the way to me I think.
Pete, I hope it's that easy, this will be my first build.

RB astro said:

hehehe, that's the one that's on the way to me I think.
Pete, I hope it's that easy, this will be my first build.

Click to expand...

RB, your the one that bought that host Lucky guy,
your telling me you built a million$'s worth of scopes and haven't even done a laser:thinking:
If I can solder 2 wires with my shaky hand anyone can!

GSS said:

RB, your the one that bought that host Lucky guy,
your telling me you built a million$'s worth of scopes and haven't even done a laser:thinking:
If I can solder 2 wires with my shaky hand anyone can!

Click to expand...

hahaha and to make things worse I'm also an electronics technician by trade, but I only do it as a side hobby now.

Just never put together a basic laser.
I know, I know...... sad huh? :shhh:

RB

Hi ,
Yes that host is perfect for the NUBM44 and other diodes and also the the others i have in the sales thread. Oh i will be making Mag Light Plug n Play hosts this week. Talk about huge sinking ,The XM900 and the Mag Light are great for these new higher power diodes. The driver can be sinked to the top of the pill in the XM900, and the Mag light since lots of room to sink the drive on the bottom of the main heat sink. Run times are long plenty of mass.. Have others for the intermediate diodes as well.

Thank You Rich

Lifetime17 said:

Hi ,
Yes that host is perfect for the NUBM44 and other diodes and also the the others i have in the sales thread. Oh i will be making Mag Light Plug n Play hosts this week. Talk about huge sinking ,The XM900 and the Mag Light are great for these new higher power diodes. The driver can be sinked to the top of the pill in the XM900, and the Mag light since lots of room to sink the drive on the bottom of the main heat sink. Run times are long plenty of mass.. Have others for the intermediate diodes as well.

Thank You Rich

Click to expand...

Sorry if I missed, but I'm curious how much these hosts cost. Also, I really like the look of the host on the far right of your picture. (1) What diode and power are you running in that, (2) did you make it yourself, and if so, (3) how much would that host cost.

I'm about to buy some parts and I have a question. Can someone help me out by telling me how long a 1000mah 3s lipo battery would run the 6W+ NUBM44 450nm Laser Diode.

I would greatly appreciate it. I was considering a bigger battery, but I'm trying to fit it all inside a 100x100x50mm housing and larger batteries are usually a little over 100mm long. I plan on using the 20mm version in the 20mm heatsink which is 51mm and I may take off that 1mm of aluminum with a bench grinder.

Thanks:beer:

Crazlaser said:

I'm about to buy some parts and I have a question. Can someone help me out by telling me how long a 1000mah 3s lipo battery would run the 6W+ NUBM44 450nm Laser Diode.

I would greatly appreciate it. I was considering a bigger battery, but I'm trying to fit it all inside a 100x100x50mm housing and larger batteries are usually a little over 100mm long. I plan on using the 20mm version in the 20mm heatsink which is 51mm and I may take off that 1mm of aluminum with a bench grinder.

Thanks:beer:

Click to expand...

About 15 minutes (A little less actually).

I think... Can someone double check my math? For just over 6W you need to supply about ~18W (3.9V*4.6A). A 4.2V 1000mAh Lithium = 4.2Wh. 18/4.2 = 4.3. 60/4.3 = 14 minutes, rounding up.

Crazlaser said:

I'm about to buy some parts and I have a question. Can someone help me out by telling me how long a 1000mah 3s lipo battery would run the 6W+ NUBM44 450nm Laser Diode.

I would greatly appreciate it. I was considering a bigger battery, but I'm trying to fit it all inside a 100x100x50mm housing and larger batteries are usually a little over 100mm long. I plan on using the 20mm version in the 20mm heatsink which is 51mm and I may take off that 1mm of aluminum with a bench grinder.

Thanks:beer:

Click to expand...

A 1000mAh 3s LiPo will last around 20 minutes with this laser. You may want to implement some sort of voltage monitor, though, because it is possible to overdischarge a 3s configration. Avoid going below 8.1V.

Sta said:

A 1000mAh 3s LiPo will last around 20 minutes with this laser. You may want to implement some sort of voltage monitor, though, because it is possible to overdischarge a 3s configration. Avoid going below 8.1V.

Click to expand...

I had assumed a 4.2V battery (for which my math seems correct), but with the 3S (11.1V) and a buck driver you're closer to 35 minutes run time.