1st Build, 3W 9mm 445nm

[DesertWolf]

So after a ton of reading on this forum, I decided I would attempt my own build instead of buying a pre-built laser. This forum really has a lot of great info.

Got all the parts in and ready to start

C11 host from Mrcrouse

9mm 445nm diode in module from DTR

2.2A driver from Lazeerer

3-element and 405-G-2 lens

I ended up soldering the driver onto the diode since I couldn't find a good place for it. I added a bent piece of copper wire held on with thermal adhesive as a driver heat sink.

Cleaned off the board and soldered on 24 gauge silicone wire from the diode

Put thermal paste on the module and assembled everything

I also bought a Ophir sensor off Ebay and followed the diagram posted in a couple threads. Soon I will build a DC/DC converter and put it in a nice box.

Got it all wired up and ready to test. It shows about 0.006, so I'll be trying to zero it soon.

Ready to test the laser's power

Using the 405-G-2 lens it runs just over 3W It's very stable thanks to the large heat sink :beer: 2x 18350 LiMn batteries

It will light matches 6+ feet away and pop black balloons at over 50 feet without a helper lens. The beam at night with the 3-element lens is amazing, way more impressive than the greenie I have. Overall I'm very happy with this build, turned out way better than I had expected thanks to all the quality parts from everyone on this forum.

 

[DTR]

Great job on the build. Is that a side clicky host? If so that is great. You don't see to many of them these days.:beer:

 

[DesertWolf]

Great job on the build. Is that a side clicky host? If so that is great. You don't see to many of them these days.:beer:

Yep, it's a side clicky. One of the main reasons I got it. I have a bunch of Fenix flashlights and my favorites are the ones with the side clicky.

 

[ped]

Great post, nicely detailed with great pictures.

I don't see any batteries in the pic apart for the ones for the ophir , is it a single 18650?

Regards

 

[Blord]

You did good job and made a LPM as well

How come there is a big blue spot light behind the Ophir head ? Is there some light leaking from the laser ?

 

[awillis2589]

Great build, got the same one but my x-drive is at 2.1A there a link in my sig to it. you did a really good job on your build, and as for your LPM in the near future i might be selling my LPM box just waiting to get some ARG goodies to put in it first.

 

[ryansoh3]

Great post, nicely detailed with great pictures.

I don't see any batteries in the pic apart for the ones for the ophir , is it a single 18650?

Regards

I think he said

2x 18350 LiMn batteries

:beer:

This is a well documented build, thanks!

 

[DesertWolf]

You did good job and made a LPM as well

How come there is a big blue spot light behind the Ophir head ? Is there some light leaking from the laser ?

I'm not really sure, there is some spill outside of the beam on the G-2 lens, and a major corona around the the 3-element lens. This is my 1st 445nm laser, so I'm not sure what to expect.

I took a couple pictures, maybe someone can tell me if it's normal or something is wrong.

G-2 lens:

3-Element Lens

 

[DesertWolf]

Never mind about the "wings" on the 3-element lens, I read that is normal.

 

[ARG]

Nice clean build! I like it! Great picture too, this will definitely help others understand laser builds :beer:
The DIY power meter set up is great as well. Make sure you zero it right, it's not easy to get it right, quote from NoSpin.

P2 at the bottom is zeroing, its not easy to adjust, the key is to not have any energy exposed to the sensor when you adjust this, I usually put it face down in a small baggie on the bench carpet square, bright light sources, heating or AC vents,
even you! any energy sources will read on this sensor!

Good luck!

 

[DesertWolf]

Nice clean build! I like it! Great picture too, this will definitely help others understand laser builds :beer:
The DIY power meter set up is great as well. Make you when you zero it properly, quote from NoSpin.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to try it that way!

 

[mhemling33]

Great Job for your first build and really good pictures! I love those c11's it was what i used in my first build too.

 

[Ibuprofen200mg]

Wow. +1

 

[Meatball]

Some of hose artifacts you see have been attenuated with the application of a dark paint or tape on the inside of the lens nut before lens installation. Some of it is cause by internal reflections from inside the lens nut, the lens scatters a small amount of light back into the lens nut, and the scatter is refocused by the lens, and seen somewhere near, or surrounding the dot.

Makes some sense?

Its mostly normal. Nothing that will harm your build. You have a very nice laser there, thank you for sharing your photos and your build process!

+1

Tyler

 

[offroadfreak8582]

For your first build you did a very good job! Even built a lpm good job :beer: also nice pictures. Thanks for sharing!

+love

greetings,,

 

[DesertWolf]

Great build, got the same one but my x-drive is at 2.1A there a link in my sig to it. you did a really good job on your build, and as for your LPM in the near future i might be selling my LPM box just waiting to get some ARG goodies to put in it first.

I'd definitely be interested, just let me know when that time comes. Thanks

Some of hose artifacts you see have been attenuated with the application of a dark paint or tape on the inside of the lens nut before lens installation. Some of it is cause by internal reflections from inside the lens nut, the lens scatters a small amount of light back into the lens nut, and the scatter is refocused by the lens, and seen somewhere near, or surrounding the dot.

Makes some sense?

Its mostly normal. Nothing that will harm your build. You have a very nice laser there, thank you for sharing your photos and your build process!

+1

Tyler

Thanks for the explanation. Since it's not going to hurt anything I probably won't worry about it.