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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Finished Red LOC laser

jbtm

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I have finally finished my laser build. After a sad time of taking it apart (loved the 5W MXDL as it was) I got it into a LOC laser. I was told by Dr.Lava and many others "These are well safe to run at 420mA with heatsinks" So, I picked 400mA.

The diode: Hand removed, very easy to press into module
650nm LPC815 [LPC815 Sled] - $9.58 : High Tech DealZ, Simplifying the LASER Hobby!

The flashlight: Loved it so...So easy to hack
DealExtreme: $10.48 MXDL ZD-5W LED Flashlight (2xAA/3V)

Other info:
This red laser has a lens issue. It's dirty! Whats the best way to clean it? I tryed cleaning it and i STILL had black plastic dust and other marks. However! After my first attempt of cleaning (AFTER THE PICTURES BELOW) The beam actually got a lot brighter. This laser is running a FLEX driver, set to 400mA, powered by 2AA. The heatsink is a metal bushing that was Pre-cut (very hard..Thanks sawsall) to fit the required length. Finished off with a high polish at the end. I've seen other mods of this same flashlight, and see many look like mine.

PICTURES!!!
Flashlight View A

Flashlight View B

Polish front (Not yet done, not even)

Beam Shot 1

Beam Shot 2


I like this host a lot, enough I might buy one for my bluray. I find it fun how on a camera you can mix the colors to make orange...Cyan...White...Magenta..:) Pictures are exposed, so the dot looks giant. The lens is messy too, because around the dot is a lot of specs...Which id assume is due to dust, as my 5mw green did this until cleaned.

Questions:
When looking at these diodes, open can, it says online to use the one leg, and the other isnt used. I'm assuming because you cant see the wires, the other leg isnt the other half of laser? Making sure i'm not just running half a laser.

Some reason i can see a dot on wall with a near X formation. Normal? With no lens it just looks like a big red dot.
 
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JBTM --

Welcome to the world of satisfaction from building your own laser !!!!!
I use the air in a can stuff to blow crap off the lens. However, if you have black colored plastic stuff on the lens, it may be burned into the lens. A G-1 lens assembly for 670 nM will make it much better!

Don't give up now -- you are on a roll and hooked on lasers!

HMike
 

jbtm

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Would a G-1 lens require a whole new module to drill and set?

Also, I even wanted to buy a mini lathe and make my own laser cases with big heatsinks for high power ones XD
 

Benm

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Nah, replacement lenses usually just screw into the existing thread on the module, and are very easy upgrades.

For a red, you could also get the aixiz glass lens, which offers a decent gain in performance (mainly 'cleaner' dot) at minimal cost ($6 or so).
 

jbtm

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Well, I updated it to a G-1 lens from Jayrod. I was wondering, are these LOCs supose to make a line? Both axiz and G1 show a dot and a single line. With no lens at all, at a wall, its not a circle, its a oval. Is this normal?

This is the line. The line is only clear when its focused.


My cam adjusted luckily, showing clearly the odd shape.


Again, I dont know if that other post is suppose to connect, online it shows it doesnt need to, but i thought maybe half the laser was on. Guess not.
 
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Well, I updated it to a G-1 lens from Jayrod. I was wondering, are these LOCs supose to make a line? Both axiz and G1 show a dot and a single line. With no lens at all, at a wall, its not a circle, its a oval. Is this normal?

This is the line. The line is only clear when its focused.

The line is normal in all LOC and LCC diodes. It has to do with the magnification of the actual die of the laser diode, and is an artifact of the laser itself. It is not something to worry about :yh:
 

jbtm

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Well, after trying to light a normal string candle...Failing with LOT of smoke pore, I noticed besides the fact of smelling like someone blew out candles, my room, must be smoky. I cant see it visually, but lasers in dark, oh did that prove it. By doing this i made my self a super super crappy smoke screen to lasers. There for, PICTURE!





I want to say my bluray was getting low on power, or just the color is harder to see.

Bluray - 6X running at near 200mA-230mA
Red LOC - 20X? running 400mA
200mw RayFoss.

i think its possible the battery low or laser died as it randomly went off when it wason for 5 seecs after 5 hours of off.
 
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JBTM --

Welcome to the world of satisfaction from building your own laser !!!!!
I use the air in a can stuff to blow crap off the lens. However, if you have black colored plastic stuff on the lens, it may be burned into the lens. A G-1 lens assembly for 670 nM will make it much better!

Don't give up now -- you are on a roll and hooked on lasers!

HMike


Clean your glass lens with either acetone or Isoproylene Alcohol. Soak the lens for 5-10 minutes and then try cleaning with an optical cloth. DO NOT use this method for plastic lenses. Even cooked on black plastic spatter will come off using Isoproylene Alcohol! I cleaned my AR replacement lense for my olike- 150mW pen. Worked like a charm!
 
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