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help finding cheapest diode?

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rileyscool101

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Hi, I'm looking to build my first laser and I've decided on a 445nm a140 or m140 diode to give me the most power for my money. Who should I go about acquiring one of these from?
445nm Blue 2 Watt Laser Diode Replacement Casio XJ A140 with Lens ESD Packaging | eBay
This is the cheapest one I've come across. Does anyone know of a cheaper source or should I go with this?
And what about a driver? 17mm Round Linear Driver - $8.99 : Mohgasm LLC, Have you experienced one lately? Would this driver set @1350mA be enough to drive this diode to nearly 1 watt? Would heat be an issue with this?
One last question, where are people ordering their hosts? I see a lot of cool unique hosts people are using with these builds but I don't ever see where they're getting them from. Is there a store set up with various hosts I could visit? Links appreciated :)
 
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Livinloud

Livinloud

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most hosts are custom made by machinist. the typical C6 host can be found on sites such as DX for cheap. Moh ran out or is low on C6 so DX or survival laser is probably your best bet.

M140s are superior to the A140 and you can get those for $45 through DTR. you can run a 1.25-1.5A M140 and get somewhere between 700mw-1.5W depending on how efficient the diode is.
 
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rileyscool101

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yes but i'm going for the cheapest build possible, I can get an a140 for 35$ and that 10$ savings basically buys my aixiz module.
 
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Livinloud

Livinloud

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dont think you will find anything cheaper than that unless you buy a projector and harvest the diodes yourself
 
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rileyscool101

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Just won this.
445nm Blue 1 Watt Laser Diode Replacement Casio XJ A140 with Lens ESD Packaging | eBay
Before I go ahead and order everything else I just wanna make sure of a few things. Do I need anything special to press the diode into an aixiz module? Is there anything special I need to do before I solder the diode to the driver? Do I NEED a host? or could I drill a hole in an old cpu heatsink and use that? I want to wait until mohgasm gets the heatsink+driver pill for his 501b hosts. Also, with this driver Mohgasm Linear Driver - $6.99 : Mohgasm LLC, Have you experienced one lately? set at 1.3A, what voltage do I need to drive it? Could I use the 5v connection on a cpu power supply? or maybe the 12v? If not, what kind've batteries would be best suited?
 
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Livinloud

Livinloud

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12V will fry everything. normally they are powered by 2x 3.7v 16340 batteries. you dont need a host but you will need a heat sink to disapate the heat. You will also be waiting a while for the 501B heat sink and pill from Moh. afaik he is wanting to sell 100-150 kyrtons before he makes the 501B stuff. you will need a diode press to get the diode into the module (check the BST section here since they are for sale or go to DTRs site) iirc thats a 5.6mm diode. you may want to add leads to the diode after its in the module unless you plan on soldering a driver right to the diode pins. hmmmm i think that covers everything :thinking:

you can always use something like THIS for a heat sink until Moh gets the 501B set up.
 
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rileyscool101

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Livinloud said:
12V will fry everything. normally they are powered by 2x 3.7v 16340 batteries. you dont need a host but you will need a heat sink to disapate the heat. You will also be waiting a while for the 501B heat sink and pill from Moh. afaik he is wanting to sell 100-150 kyrtons before he makes the 501B stuff. you will need a diode press to get the diode into the module (check the BST section here since they are for sale or go to DTRs site) iirc thats a 5.6mm diode. you may want to add leads to the diode after its in the module unless you plan on soldering a driver right to the diode pins. hmmmm i think that covers everything :thinking:

you can always use something like THIS for a heat sink until Moh gets the 501B set up.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your information, I am going to look into ordering those batteries & I guess a host.. any suggestions? Looking for the cheapest one I can get that will hold two of the 16340 batteries. Also, reguarding esd... I see people on the forum talking about shorting the leads on the diode/driver.. do I need to worry about any of this? I really don't want to fry my first diode before I even get to see it in action...

edit: You also said 12v will fry everything.. how about 5v.. would that be too low or what?
 
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Livinloud

Livinloud

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ummm i know there is a datasheet on all of the diodes somewhere. ill find it and link it here. i dont think that'll be too low but not sure off top of my head. you do you mean looking for cheapest one that will hold 16340s? if you have a direct driver on the diode people shorten the pins and the leads on the driver are all depending on how long is needed. you will add those unless you buy a driver with them already. in that case just trim them to the length you want. dont want them too long but also too short work work as well.



may or may not help but who knows: http://laserpointerforums.com/f65/list-445nm-diodes-51897.html
 
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rileyscool101

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About that link, why is everyone running their a140 diodes at/under 1A? I was under the impression these could easily be ran to nearly 1.7A?
 
Livinloud

Livinloud

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you are thinking of the m140 which can be run up to like 2.1A

also that was back in 2010 so people may not have wanted to push their diodes back then. now people are open to pushing the limits of diodes
 
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ricktrent4

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you can run the A-140 at 1.8a if you use my heatsink I have done it for yrs,and some will go over 2w if you use a G1 lens.but most hit around 1.5W to 1.7w .I got in a projector one time and 22 out of 24 hit over 2w and one I got just around 1.5w out of 24 doides you do not know what you will get from a projector tell you test them. I got some m140 and just got 3 or so out of 72 diodes
 
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rileyscool101

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Well I did some looking around my house and I found I have a Surefire 6p flashlight laying around that easily fits 2 16340s..however since I doubt this is a very popular option I will most likely need custom machining. Who could I contact to possibly contract this job?
 
Livinloud

Livinloud

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look in the yellow link in my signature under machinist :beer:
 
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