Greetings LPF,
In 2007, I saw the infamous 'how to build a powerful burning laser' video that seems to be the bane of some of the LPF folks' existence.
None the less, a couple months ago I ordered a mini maglite, an aixiz module, and a 660nm 200mW (CW, 350mW pulsed @ <35% duty cycle; <30ns pulse width) diode.
After replacing the lower-powered diode, I proceeded to do what I now understand to be very bad in that I connected my diode's pins directly to the +/- pinholes which the LED bulb used to occupy, ignoring the third pin which I now understand to be involved in some kind of diode feedback loop when diodes are properly integrated.
Over the months, I've realized a number of things:
1) I feel fortunate in that my diode is still alive and kicking
2) I'm a retard for not having acquired safety goggles (have some on the way)
3) I would like to 'make it right' regarding my host.
Now, I'm not going to lie. My current mag lite 'rig' (lets not call it a build) includes electrical tape and a beam that points in different directions, should the host roll.
I've done some searching prior to posting this. I understand that there are a few mini mag kits out there. I also understand that they're on not exactly beginner-level hosts as most drivers will not fit nicely and the ones that seem to require a little more experience and know-how.
I'm pretty sure that I would like a new cap-switch and some sort of heat-sink that would serve to replace the flashlight reflector that was mangled when I first made this. So I definitely do not need an entire kit.
I would like to know if I might have missed in my search a not-too-difficult way to get a proper driver into the mini-mag. If not, is a resistor my best bet to have a semi respectable build?
Also do any of you fine enthusiasts offer a heat sink machined to fit the mini-mag? Again I searched but found mostly kits or offerings that involve mini mag parts that I already own.
Please bear with this n00b, trying to learn as much as possible about safety, builds, and products ranging from pointers to CO2/COIL/etc. It's fair to say I've caught the bug.
Once I have a driver or at least a resistor am I likely to see a drop in brightness?
Thanks in advance,
-vect0rx
P.S. I've read some CW vs. pulsed debates on here and I can't pretend to understand the majority of arguments but it seems that 350mW pulsed wouldn't necessarily get more out of my diode than 200mW CW?
In 2007, I saw the infamous 'how to build a powerful burning laser' video that seems to be the bane of some of the LPF folks' existence.
None the less, a couple months ago I ordered a mini maglite, an aixiz module, and a 660nm 200mW (CW, 350mW pulsed @ <35% duty cycle; <30ns pulse width) diode.
After replacing the lower-powered diode, I proceeded to do what I now understand to be very bad in that I connected my diode's pins directly to the +/- pinholes which the LED bulb used to occupy, ignoring the third pin which I now understand to be involved in some kind of diode feedback loop when diodes are properly integrated.
Over the months, I've realized a number of things:
1) I feel fortunate in that my diode is still alive and kicking
2) I'm a retard for not having acquired safety goggles (have some on the way)
3) I would like to 'make it right' regarding my host.
Now, I'm not going to lie. My current mag lite 'rig' (lets not call it a build) includes electrical tape and a beam that points in different directions, should the host roll.
I've done some searching prior to posting this. I understand that there are a few mini mag kits out there. I also understand that they're on not exactly beginner-level hosts as most drivers will not fit nicely and the ones that seem to require a little more experience and know-how.
I'm pretty sure that I would like a new cap-switch and some sort of heat-sink that would serve to replace the flashlight reflector that was mangled when I first made this. So I definitely do not need an entire kit.
I would like to know if I might have missed in my search a not-too-difficult way to get a proper driver into the mini-mag. If not, is a resistor my best bet to have a semi respectable build?
Also do any of you fine enthusiasts offer a heat sink machined to fit the mini-mag? Again I searched but found mostly kits or offerings that involve mini mag parts that I already own.
Please bear with this n00b, trying to learn as much as possible about safety, builds, and products ranging from pointers to CO2/COIL/etc. It's fair to say I've caught the bug.
Once I have a driver or at least a resistor am I likely to see a drop in brightness?
Thanks in advance,
-vect0rx
P.S. I've read some CW vs. pulsed debates on here and I can't pretend to understand the majority of arguments but it seems that 350mW pulsed wouldn't necessarily get more out of my diode than 200mW CW?