3W Menace

[DTR]

3W Menace


Ok so I have had this host for almost a year now. I kind of shelved it as I have been pretty busy and have had little time for some reviews but I have been really wanting to build this unit. I know there have been other builds on this host but this one really turned out amazing.






Host



This host is massive. About the size of the Frankenstein host I built. Here are some quick shots of the body.

It has a great feel holding it. I know my bear paws don't really give a good judge of the size.

So here is my favorite soda can comparison.

Build






So I sent it off to Flaminpyro to fit for a heatsink and he suggested a full copper direct heatink for a 9mm. I agreed this build being my first in a while should go all out. When I got it back here is what I found.

I was amazed at the heatsink size. It weighs over a pound of solid copper. He also included a sweet press to keep the diode in place in the heatsink and it allows for some amazing heastinking on this diode.

So I got a 9mm diode and placed it on the press to see how it goes.

I screwed it in to see how the diodes fits and it is a great fit but I noticed that I did not have much room left on the back of the heatsink for sticking the driver on with the press sticking out.

So I lopped off the end and put some slots in for a flat head to turn it.

Next I added some leads to the diode.

Then put some shrink tubing over the pins to keep them nice and protected.

So now I put the unit back in the heatsink and screwed the press down tight on the diode. This leaves me some good space on the back of the sink to adhere the driver to.

Next I stripped the leads, added a small amount of flux and fed them though the driver holes. I am using an X-drive set to 2.2A. They X-drive is awesome. Low heat generation, very efficient and uses a soft start for long diode life.

Next I soldered the leads in place.

Came out nice and clean.

Next I soldered some leads on the driver input.

And it is ready for sinking the driver.

So I got some thermal adhesive out. I am using Arctic silver. I usually just use the Arctic alumina as I think it does just as well for our purposes and it is much cheaper but this was all they had at microcenter when I ran down there. So I went with it.

So I mixed up a small amount of the two part.

After mixing it up I applied a bit to the back of the heatsink.

I pressed the driver in place then used my helping hands to keep the pressure on it till it hardens.

Gave it 15 minutes and I was good to go.

Next put the heasink in the head and it fit like a glove.

Now all that is left is the contact board. So again I stripped the ends of the leads, added a bit of flux and put the lead through the little holes for the wires.

I put a bit of solder to secure the leads.

Now I am good to go and ready to seal it up.

I placed it in the head.

And tightend down the retaining ring.

Now here is the crazy part. I origonally thought the 3X18650 holder was wired in series but I quickly realized it was set up for parallel.

So I had to switch it up and it actually came out great. This host can now work of 2X, 4X or 6X 18350's. So I went with just two AW IMR 18350's I had laying around.











Power Test






So I put it all together and ran a test and I have to say this is the most stable laser I have ever seen and I am sure it all due to the amazing heatsink that Flaminpyro made for me. Check this out. 14+ minutes and only a 300mW drop in power. This thing is amazing and it has a peak just over 3W and this was not a cherry picked diode just a random pull plus it is using a G-2-LFL lens.:eg:

Conclusion



So I could not be happier with this unit. It has been a while since I have made a personal build and this one absolutely rocks. Massive, stylish powerful. 3W peak at 2.2A using a G-2-LFL you can't ask for more.

I give a lot of credit to Jeff(Flaminpyro) for the stability and peak power of the unit due to the great heatsink he made for this thing.

Anyway that is about it hoped you like seeing my newest build. Thanks for reading.:beer:



















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[Moistenator]

What an impressive build!

+1

 

[jakeyboii]

wow Very nice build!

+1 to you buddy!

 

[DJNY]

Glad to see one of these threads of yours again I loved to read 2-3 years ago.

Interesting to read, great pics, awesome built :beer:

 

[Flaminpyro]

Yes it has been a while since we heard something like this from you old man and it was well worth the wait, 3W for 14 minutes that's got be a record breaker :gj: +3 if I can

You always have the best pictures and that's what makes a good review, good one you man for another fine review.

And thanks for the kind words :beer:

Glad to see one of these threads of yours again I loved to read 2-3 years ago.

Interesting to read, great pics, awesome built :beer:

 

[TheSandalVandal]

Incredible build. That heatsink is HUGE! And how's the divergence? Looks really good +1

 

[Blord]

That is a nice and clean build. Thanks for showing us the build !
The copper sink is surely massive and the one pound weight is impressive.

 

[lasersbee]

Nice build DTR...
I'm very impressed with the detailed assembly pics.
Could even be in the Tutorials section for building a
Laser.


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

 

[sinner]

This thread is so relaxing to the eyes, DTR :beer: Great build once again..

+1

 

[toutan]

A very splendid host.

Mr. Flaminpyro makes a very good heat sink.

I like lasers using the copper heat sink.

 

[scumbagatheist]

Most impressive, DTR! Well done indeed, and props to Jeff. I cannot wait until my copper heatsink is finished!

Not to thread steal, but the 405nm I got from you is purring beautifully at .498A! Now, if the USPS will just get your 445nm to me! You are a great and kind vendor here and your help is priceless.

 

[jander6442]

Yeeaay, Jordan is back to builds:wave::wave::wave: and an epic one at that, good job my man,:drool: looking good Jeff. One thing, I know how tempting it have been to put that driver on the sink, but as u already know you will have to pull that driver off to get the diode out... not that you will ever have to.

Also, as you already know mixing those batt. especially at that current draw could end badly. I love the big boy for a host, best flashlight host for a big scary laser. Your going to have the same problem I did.... putting it down.

Rep incomming, sweet job. That thing is totaly gnarly:beer::beer::beer:

edit: rep when I can, sorry brother.

 

[BowtieGuy]

That's a mighty fine looking build DTR ! :beer:
Especially when you throw in a 1lb. "Menacing" sink. It's like getting a mini work-out every time you use it. :yh:

I agree with laserbee, with those great pics and step by step build process, this would make an excellent tutorial.

A +1 for a super job.

:gj:

 

[DTR]

Thanks guys. It has been too long. I have found it so hard to get the time to build anything for a long time but this is what I really enjoy most and is why I started down this path.

This was not really a very complicated build. Actually it was pretty easy compared to some that i have done with extreme modifications needed and most the bigger ones are pretty easy as you are not trying to pack everything in a really confined space.

I do have a few units that I have shelved because I just did not have the time but I hope to try to do one every month or so going forward as it relaxes me building an entire unit instead of press diode, add leads, put lens in, package and ship a few million times in a row.:horse:

I need to let my creativity out every once in a while or I could loose my mind and I am going to try to get back to that.:tinfoil:


Also these reviews/tutorials I do pretty much qualify for both categories as I am reviewing the parts I buy like the heatsink, driver host, etc... and they are a tutorial with step by step instructions. So I post them in the reviews and they are listed in my sticky in the tutorials sections so you can go both places and find them. As you see I have added this as the first in my thread.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/d...difications-compilation-53944.html#post759223

Hey that is an awesome SAIK you got there. Bet that thing sucks the heat right out of the room when you step through the door with it. Jeff does make some awesome sinks and he loves his copper.:beer:

Yeeaay, Jordan is back to builds:wave::wave::wave: and an epic one at that, good job my man,:drool: looking good Jeff. One thing, I know how tempting it have been to put that driver on the sink, but as u already know you will have to pull that driver off to get the diode out... not that you will ever have to.

Also, as you already know mixing those batt. especially at that current draw could end badly. I love the big boy for a host, best flashlight host for a big scary laser. Your going to have the same problem I did.... putting it down.

Rep incomming, sweet job. That thing is totaly gnarly:beer::beer::beer:

edit: rep when I can, sorry brother.

Thanks brother I hope I am back. Yep I should put a warning about mixing cells. It is what I had on hand and wanted to finish the review/tutorial. Actually after the 14 minute run the ultrafire battery was so damn hot it melted the cover on it.:crackup:

And the AW was only mildly warm and I think it was just from sitting in contact with the ultrafire. Need to get some more AW 18350's.

 

[djLscatt]

your 3W MENACE is the master of Big Boys.
Jordan it exists a battery carrier in series ,
3x18650 Battery Carrier With Switch in Series_Torch Host_Torch Components_Electronics Wholesale online

other wise you can cut the circuits as Blord did .

 

[Cel]

This is overcool/kill! Too impressive... You did a great job! That heatsink...