>2.5W Saik with copper module! *PIC HEAVY*

[grainde]

Well thought I'd share some pics of my new Saik build with the new copper module from the GB here: GB 2$

The build uses a Moh 1.8 A linear driver (drawing 1.75 A at the switch) and 2 x AW IMR 14500 600 mAh batteries. A new copper module was cleaned with lemon juice and salt thanks: for the tip Blord), and an M140 diode was pressed into it with some arctic silver paste.

The driver was heat sinked with aluminium and copper and attached via arctic silver to the massive Saik heat sink. The original driver board was stripped of components and was used simply as a battery contact.

A focus ring was drilled out from a thick block of cast aluminium, sanded down, the hole taped with a 9 mm x 0.5 tap for the aixiz lens mount and finally polished a little. I actually made a new holder for my G2 lens for this build as well. As only two and not three batteries were used, a spacer was also made to fit in the original host battery holder. Details of how to make both the lens holder and battery spacer can be found here: Ebay pointers.

I tested the build and was rather surprised to see that I was getting in excess of 2.5 W!! My laserbee 2.5 USB LPM maxed out here, so I think the laser is probably outputing around, or just below, 2.6 W! As I was only aiming for 2.2+ W, I was very happy! (BIG :thanks: to DTR and AnthoT!)

Anyway here are the pics, hope you enjoy them! :beer:

 

[grainde]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Here are a couple of beam shots too!

 

[Blord]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Looking great. Impressive beam during daytime.

 

[AnthoT]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Nice build :beer: that's awesome power you got outta that

 

[cgchaser]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Grained

That is truly an impressive build. How long of a duty cycle does it offer you? I also would like to ask about viewing the beam from a 445 of this power. I know that my Wicked lasers Arctic S3 is probably only running 700 milliwatts. Your build is more than 3 times that power. Is it safe to view the beam from a 2.5 watt outside without goggles? What if a moth or insect were attracted to it and flew into the path? Any risk of an intense divurse reflection? What is the range in miles I'd imagine 3 times the arctic or about 12 miles. Also probably 3 times brighter. Do you know what the NOHD is on this one. Assuming a 1 watt is 149 meters then wouldn't your unit be 400+? One final question if beam viewing is a possibility without goggles how much does it cost and where can I get one. I saw a 2.4 w from Survival lasers that looks decent but it has a 1 minute run time followed by 2 minutes off, I'm afraid I'd end up frying it. Any useful info you guys have on this please advice.

 

[sinner]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Grainde those beamshots are truly amazing, Must say that a very nice build and money well spent..
+1

 

[grainde]

Re: >2.5W Saik with copper module!

Thanks for the comments everyone! :beer:

Wow lots of questions here!

How long of a duty cycle does it offer you?

I havent tested the duty cycle, but I have had the laser on for around 2 mins and it was barely warm, so i think the duty cycle could be a few mins. Id have to test it though to be sure and Ill update with a video.

Is it safe to view the beam from a 2.5 watt outside without goggles? What if a moth or insect were attracted to it and flew into the path?

Yeah this is definitely one of my concerns! I have observed the beam outside without goggles, but whenever I do I take many precautions. I make sure the beam is not pointed towards any thing reflective (pref dark and pref matte), that the object it hits is more than 30 - 40 m away and that it acts as a quasi beam stop. I try to prevent the beam going anywhere it shouldn't (roads, other houses etc.) and I don't look directly at the dot. It is very bright and yes even the smallest insect gives a flash of light. I cannot say how safe it is, but please bear in mind a 1 W laser could also be just as dangerous. On a side note, I wouldnt shine this laser, or any other, out into rain....
In the photos above, I used the hut in the background as the beam stop. As this had glass windows, I made sure no one else was outside and I was wearing goggles whenever I switched the laser on.

Any risk of an intense divurse reflection?

Yes

What is the range in miles I'd imagine 3 times the arctic or about 12 miles.

There was a thread a while back that demonstrated that a 1 W (this was prob only an 800 mW laser though) laser was visible from the space station. Have a read here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/amateur-astronomers-flash-space-station-1w-blue-laser-72271.html This would suggest that the beam can go a long way.

Do you know what the NOHD is on this one.
Assuming a 1 watt is 149 meters then wouldn't your unit be 400+?

I think I actually calculated the NOHD at around 250 m for a 1.5W 445 laser? I will have a look for this one, but you can actually find it here: Laser Pointer Safety - Laser safety calculations

One final question if beam viewing is a possibility without goggles how much does it cost and where can I get one.

There have been a few on sale and I believe RHD was selling them. Try here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/saik-2-2w-445-builds-w-g1-lens-73283.html. If not, try Jayrob he sells a Saik kit: http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/jayrob-build-kits-lenses-other-stuff-listed-here-44227.html.

Alternatively you could buy all the bits and assemble them yourself. I actually got my heatsink from Moh, but sadly that is no longer an option! Fortunately Eudamonium is offering them now: http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/eudaimoniums-machine-shop-73749.html. I bought a Phobos host from him a while back and was very pleased, so Id highly recommend him.
The bare host you can get from dealextreme and this is the one I bought:SAiK SA-305 Cree Q2 WC 3-Mode 140LM White LED Flashlight (3*AA) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme.

DTR is the man for your diodes! He has excellent service and is also highly recommended! https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/.
You'll need a driver. Its your choice what you use, but you'll need around 1.8 A. You could try Cajunlasers they have a wide selection: Driver Boards : Cajunlasers Store.
If you wanted to try an FMT driver you could also try Foulmist; he makes some high output drivers too: http://laserpointerforums.com/f67/new-buck-boost-high-output-driver-69959-4.html#post1037906
AnthoT has copper and aluminium modules, which I would highly recommend, hes also a great seller too!:Home.
In total I think I spent around 180-200$ just for parts...

Well that should get you started. If you dont already have goggles, get some! I wouldn't even think of starting something like this without them. Garog has them here: Survival Laser Home

Good luck! :beer:


EDIT: Just calced NOHD for a 2.6 W 445 with 1.5 mRad divergence and got 789 ft, which is approx 237 m, so I would err on the side of caution and say 0.5 Km...The glare and distraction distances are somewhat greater at 930 m and 9.3 km, respectively! Please remember this is only a rough guide!

 

[eyemfedup2]

very nice.
i see now the difference in diversion.i wasn't quite sure what that meant until now.
on which side do you preferably mount the heat sink on the driver?
I've been putting it on the flat side.
or does it matter?
thank you

 

[grainde]

If you are using a Moh linear, as was used in this build, you should put the heatsink on the regulator. :beer:

 

[luccax]

I just decided the host im using for my next build. Excelent build, i like the heatsink size. +1

 

[Zeebit]

Awesome beam shots and output power. Good job.

 

[KRNAZNBOY]

Looks really cool. I see you attached your driver to the main heatsink. Just wondering, because i want to do a saik build, what did you use for the positive battery contact, a metal insulated disk? (or something) I am still wondering how to do this. Any pics or help would be GREATLY appreciated. :beer:

Edit: Also, does anybody know how to modify the battery holder if i wanted to use moh's linear driver. (not a buck/boost)

 

[scumbagatheist]

Looks really cool. I see you attached your driver to the main heatsink. Just wondering, because i want to do a saik build, what did you use for the positive battery contact, a metal insulated disk? (or something) I am still wondering how to do this. Any pics or help would be GREATLY appreciated. :beer:

Edit: Also, does anybody know how to modify the battery holder if i wanted to use moh's linear driver. (not a buck/boost)

If Grainde's build doesn't suit you. PM me. I will send you details of my build.

SBA

 

[Speedy78]

Those beamshots in the broad daylight are amazing.

 

[grainde]

Looks really cool. I see you attached your driver to the main heatsink. Just wondering, because i want to do a saik build, what did you use for the positive battery contact, a metal insulated disk? (or something) I am still wondering how to do this. Any pics or help would be GREATLY appreciated. :beer:

Edit: Also, does anybody know how to modify the battery holder if i wanted to use moh's linear driver. (not a buck/boost)

Thanks. For the positive contact I stripped the flashlight driver board that came with the light (just ran a hot soldering iron across it to remove the components) and wired up the positive pad from that. The driver board is in the pill that comes with the light. Its actually much the same as building a C6, only there is a little more room!

If you noticed I used a 1.8 A Moh linear driver and the battery holder doesn't need any modification. You could simply run the laser on 3 x 14500's if you wanted, as I believe Moh's driver can cope with around 16 V. I ran it on 2 batteries with a spacer, to run it at a lower voltage and keep the heat down. With 3 bats it will get hot quickly.

I will try to find a pic of the driver board mod...Good luck!:beer:

P.S Scumbag is also offering 3 W Saiks for sale, should you happen to have any doubts. However, if you do decide to have a go, feel free to post any probs or questions here and Ill try to help.

Edit: Thanks Speedy the pic was taken around dusk though and I used a longer exposure!

 

[Kamildos]

WOW! Very nice and powerfull laser. Insane beamshots