Portable FAP Red

[Hemlock_Mike]

I'm getting started here on a new project. I hope to make this portable (handheld) !!!
A big thanks to Chris from way north for his help.

These are the main components. The FAP RED module, a SUPER buck driver from TI and a
battery pack to kick ass.... The Pot is for power control and the PB switch is the trigger.

This is the back side showing the fan cooled copper heat sink and the back of the driver.
The copper buss bars don't show well but are necessary for the 30+ Amps involved.

More later -----
HMike

 

[Sigurthr]

Nice, HMike! I look forward to seeing results!

 

[Alaskan]

I'm also looking forward to see what that baby will do in your setup, what optics will you be using? What batteries are in that tube?

 

[Isaac Clarke]

All i see are a part for a Laser Canon....

 

[Laser Chick]

Interested in what and how many batteries also. 30+ Amps ... dang!!

 

[Pman]

Samsung 25R for a short on maybe? From my own testing with PT-121 Phlatlights and the pulse ratings by Samsung I've had no indication of battery issues running higher amps. This does NOT mean I endorse it. Theres significant voltage sag. If i remember correctly at 38A a couple paralled will drop to around 3.8V. I have seen a lot of testing with a lot of batteries and without a doubt they are excellent cells.
Sony VTC4 and 5 are commonly used in low resistance mods but there is a big issue with counterfeit cells that has been going on for some time now. Have a set of the VTC4 but haven't done any of my own testing

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

A few answers here.......
- I was going to call it a laser canon but I see another project here with that name.
- I will start with the factory optics but it appears to have only a single lens of about 25 mm FL. I will likely have to make a two lens collimator for it. If you can't make it perfect, make it adjustable!
- The cells are 25 Amp 18650 Li-Ion cells. Because this is a buck driver, I will be drawing about 7 Amps from them. The driver, a CV type, appears quite stable and I'll set it for a MAX current which I can run from 0 to set MAX.

HMike

 

[Alaskan]

What is it you want to use two lenses for?

Here's the output of a FAP800 on a dark night using a cheap digital camera with its IR filter removed.

The FAP was using the 25mm FL 12.7mm diameter factory collimator lens and the divergence was measured to be close to 18 mRad.

I like your CV regulator, sure is small for the current it can control, very nice little circuit board.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Chris -- What is the thread size of that factory lens assembly?
I can't yet find a SAE or metric which fits.
I may have to machine this housing to make the base of an
adjustable two lens assembly if I can't find what fits.
As I told you, I plan to set it at 30 Amps to give myself a 25% safety
margin for the module. This unit was tested at 45 Amps!!!!
HMike

 

[Alaskan]

Knowing it is a SMA connector I did some searching and found it: "The SMA 905 connector employs a 1/4"-36 thread."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMA_connector

http://www.coherent.com/downloads/FAP800series_DSFinal.pdf

http://www.optical-products.com/sma-connector.html

 

[jors]

All FAPs I find on Coherent site are infrared...Do You say _Mike this FAP is red?
Which wavelenght please?
thanks

 

[Alaskan]

I think he meant Infra-Red, its ~808nm, he got the FAP from me after he found his other one had a bad optical ferrule on it.

I've been told if you make a high enough power output you can faintly see a little red in the otherwise invisible beam, but I've never seen it myself to know if this is true or not, is it? I'm afraid to even take my goggles off for IR to see, but I guess if looking at the beam a few feet away from the side without reflections, except for particles in the air, maybe I'd be safe to do so.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

OK - Thanks.... I have some SMA RF connectors which I might put to "good" photonic use with some mods!!!!

Jors -- Yes the module I have is marked as FAP800-40W-808 nM. Specs indicate a range of 805 to 811 nM output. Therein lies the danger. I can see 808 but it appears much dimmer than true power. When you "see" the spot hit a beam dump (charcoal briquette)
and smoke it, you know its ON........BE CAREFUL.

HMike

AND DON'T get the flu virus I got last Saturday. I'm still recovering. Lost 10 pounds in 4 days..........

 

[Alaskan]

Ok, you can see a red spot from heating alone or due to the power actual red? I'm yet wondering if a hint of red can be seen in the air without a fog machine.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Chris -- I have never achieved a small beam with one of these to project through the air to see it. I can however see the spot on a piece of paper to the point that I see the individual fibers! It will likely be difficult to see without fog.
The gutz of an SMA RF connector is going to be great for my optics!!! I'll have to finish the design and order a couple lenses. Amazing what can be done with some plumbing fittings.
HMike

I should mention here my use of the term IR. I know that we usually infer it to mean infrared but when I'm talking Amps of current, I am referring to: I (current) x R (Ohms) = voltage drop or loss.

 

[RedCowboy]

If you can't make it perfect, make it adjustable!

HMike

LOL, Words to live by, without a doubt!