Assembled a M140 in a C6 (pic heavy)

I want to do this and have it idiot proof since I not a electronics guru, could you please tell me
How many watts this is cranking out
Or
How I would make it a 1.5 watt model with the supplied links

Thanks

Supurb write up. For laser beam pictures I downloaded a free app on my phone that let's me do 5 second exposure you might wanna try it laser beams show up in well lit rooms. Also another thing I do before assembling my lasers is twist everything in opposite direction before I screw it together so wires are straight again when it is screwed together.

The phone app is called "camera FV-5 lite" for android and I'm very happy with it.

Where did the 3rd wire get attached from the diode? Was it just left alone?

crtbc said:

I want to do this and have it idiot proof since I not a electronics guru, could you please tell me
How many watts this is cranking out
Or
How I would make it a 1.5 watt model with the supplied links

Thanks

Click to expand...

This is a 1.5W laser with the 3 element lens and might reach 2W if I used a G2 lens. You can also drive an M140 at up to 1.8A for slightly more power, keep in mind though the C6 host is small and you will have a short duty cycle.

The links are to the store for US customers, Survival Laser has another site for international customers. You should add your location to your profile or at least the country your in.

For some other examples of the easiest ways to build laser, see the white links in my signature.

starlight said:

Supurb write up. For laser beam pictures I downloaded a free app on my phone that let's me do 5 second exposure you might wanna try it laser beams show up in well lit rooms. Also another thing I do before assembling my lasers is twist everything in opposite direction before I screw it together so wires are straight again when it is screwed together.

The phone app is called "camera FV-5 lite" for android and I'm very happy with it.

Where did the 3rd wire get attached from the diode? Was it just left alone?

Click to expand...

Thanks very much for that info, I'll take a look.

Yes the 3rd wire was unused, if I remember correctly I didn't even bother to cut it off and just left it as is.

Alan

So just changing the lens from a3 element to ag2 will change it from a1.5 watt to a 2 wAtt?

crtbc said:

So just changing the lens from a3 element to ag2 will change it from a1.5 watt to a 2 wAtt?

Click to expand...

Yes most likely, usually there is a power increase of about 30% with a G2 over a 3 element lens. You don't know for sure what you have without testing with a laser power meter because each diode will vary some. There are reflections off the lenses and lens holder with the 3 element lens and because the beam is rectangular shaped you will get some bat wings type of splash, but it will make a smaller dot at a distance than the G2 but the G2 will give you much more power. I have tried both on several lasers and I mostly prefer the G2 lens.

Alan

Great build! I love it.
I just ordered the C6 host but with no driver.
I just finished my 650nm build that I've yet to write up! I'll have to look more into the drivers that SL has.

Is there a reason the op used 18650 batteries instead of the rcr123a batteries

Wrote SL an email and he said to use rcr123a' s. I have no problem taking his suggestion, just wondering why you choose differently for same host and diode

Thanks

crtbc said:

Is there a reason the op used 18650 batteries instead of the rcr123a batteries

Wrote SL an email and he said to use rcr123a' s. I have no problem taking his suggestion, just wondering why you choose differently for same host and diode

Thanks

Click to expand...

You misread it, go and look again and look at the batteries and you will see they are 16340 not 18650. The 16340 and rcr123a are the same size, they are interchangeable. To use 18650 you have to buy the battery extension tube they sell for $20. That will give you longer battery life but also make your laser longer and heavier, you just have to decide what you prefer.

Alan

What is the duty cycle of this particular setup, I just built it, great write up btw but noticed after about 30-40 second the heat sink getting warm, how long can I keep it on without damage and then how long to let it cool

Thanks

crtbc said:

What is the duty cycle of this particular setup, I just built it, great write up btw but noticed after about 30-40 second the heat sink getting warm, how long can I keep it on without damage and then how long to let it cool

Thanks

Click to expand...

That's great news, enjoy your new laser, and be careful with it.

That sounds about right, if your driving it at 1.5A and using the same heat sink I would limit it to 40 seconds on and 1 minute off.

Alan