495nm Laser66 Pen Build

[diachi]

Hey guys, just posting a quick build log of my 495 build. I think I've found my new favourite wavelength, it's absolutely gorgeous!

I have this build set to 100mA, as specified by the datasheet for the LD. I'd rather not push it! Haven't metered the output yet, I'll need to do that soon and update this thread/my signature.

Driver hooked up, first light!

Some epoxy added to the back of the module to help support the driver. I actually broke the bond when I was pressing the module into the host. It went in at an angle, bending the LD pins and breaking the epoxy in the process. Fortunately nothing was damaged and a second attempt to press the module (this time without a copper shim) went smoothly.

Top side of the board. These diodes are case neutral which is nice for pen builds, you can use the case pin of the diode as your ground connection to the driver.

This time I used SMD components for the indicator LED (on the button board), much easier to fit in a pen than a 1/4W resistor and a 3.5mm LED (See my other Laser66 build).

Bottom side of the button board with the positive driver connection visible. I used copper shim stock to make this connection again, nice and sturdy. A little drop of epoxy was later added between the boards for some extra strength.

Side by side with my 445nm Laser 66 build.

Finally, a few beam shots. My camera really doesn't do the colour justice, it's has a slightly green tint to it that my phone camera doesn't pick up on.

Indicator LED visible on this one, I may have set the current a little high for that, it's rather bright...

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone enjoyed the thread! :beer:

Edit: Almost forgot! A BIG Thanks to BowtieGuy for sending me the 5.6mm copper module, diode press tool and Flexdrive. He was very helpful and a pleasure to work with.

He offered to buy a press tool for me from SL and ship it with the Flexdrive and 5.6mm module I bought from him, to save me money. The tool from SL either took forever to arrive at his place or didn't show up, so he sent me his own. He wouldn't even take payment until the items arrived and wasn't going to charge me for the tool. When the Flexdrive arrived broken (not his fault, he hadn't used it), he agreed to refund me half the cost of a new driver with shipping. Fantastic member of the community! :beer:

 

[RedCowboy]

Looks great, that's the beam I wanted to see. :beer:

 

[BowtieGuy]

That's a sharp looking pen build you've got, good work!
I agree, this wavelength has become one of my favorites also. :yh:
:gj: +rep!

 

[diachi]

Looks great, that's the beam I wanted to see. :beer:

Thanks! :beer: You definitely need some 495 in your life!

That's a sharp looking pen build you've got, good work!
I agree, this wavelength has become one of my favorites also. :yh:
:gj: +rep!

Cheers! :beer:

I think I actually prefer it to 488, which had always been my favourite.

495 looks similar in colour to a multiline argon (at least to me), with that hint of green.

 

[ArcticDude]

Nice work diachi!! Liked beamshots too :wave:
Gonna order one or two from DTR, yummy wavelenght

 

[BobMc]

Very nice! It is a gorgeous color. Love these Laser66 pen builds. :drool:

+reps

Hat tip, to BowtieGuy for his generosity. :gj:

 

[diachi]

Nice work diachi!! Liked beamshots too :wave:
Gonna order one or two from DTR, yummy wavelenght

Do it! Looking forward to seeing a 495 build from you!

Very nice! It is a gorgeous color. Love these Laser66 pen builds. :drool:

+reps

Hat tip, to BowtieGuy for his generosity. :gj:

Ditto on the Laser66 pens, great hosts. Perfect fit with a Flexdrive too! Thanks! :beer:

 

[deadshadow]

awesome build and color,forum will just start to have new builds with those new awesome diodes :beer:

 

[paul1598419]

Great pen build, diachi. Yeah, I love this color too. I have one that should remain at 488nm when pushed at 275 mA. I like to use heat sinking for the module to keep the diode's temperature down. Should get better than 100 mW and will double check it with my spectrometer to insure it is not increasing in wavelength.

I have to agree with you about BowtieGuy. Jeff is a great guy and does a lot for the members here. I tried to rep you, but unfortunately just did not too long ago. Meh. It all works out the same in the end.

BTW, I love your Led Zeppelin poster. I actually saw them in 1970 and again in 1978. Had my elbows on the stage in 1970 and they played Stairway To Heaven a full six months before its release.

 

[Shotgundrums]

Very nice build!! I’ve got the pen build bug myself . I have a 505 waiting on a driver to send Paul for testing, then will press into a pen host. The 490 I ordered will too go into a pen but I’ll probably just use AAAs for it if possible... all coming soon. I may just lump them all together when finished

SGD:beer:

+Rep

 

[paul1598419]

AAA batteries might not be an option as the Vf on these diodes is fairly high and you will need a boost driver to get there. You could get by with some Li-ion batteries about that size, but they would need to be in parallel as you can't have the voltage in higher than the Vf. You could get by with a buck driver and two Li-ion batteries in series, but it needs to be low current. We can talk about that by PM.

 

[Encap]

Nice work--great pen--excellent photos. Enjoy it.

 

[diachi]

Great pen build, diachi. Yeah, I love this color too. I have one that should remain at 488nm when pushed at 275 mA. I like to use heat sinking for the module to keep the diode's temperature down. Should get better than 100 mW and will double check it with my spectrometer to insure it is not increasing in wavelength.

I have to agree with you about BowtieGuy. Jeff is a great guy and does a lot for the members here. I tried to rep you, but unfortunately just did not too long ago. Meh. It all works out the same in the end.

BTW, I love your Led Zeppelin poster. I actually saw them in 1970 and again in 1978. Had my elbows on the stage in 1970 and they played Stairway To Heaven a full six months before its release.

That sounds like a nice build! It'd certainly be nice to have 488 in a pen. Maybe I'll do that next... Going to be obtaining some laser dyes here soon, so maybe I'll be doing some yellow/orange first...

Glad you like the poster! Man am I ever envious, I'd love to see them live. My old man saw them at Knebworth in 79. Lucky *&%$#@!! :crackup:

I'll need to get some of the other posters in the frame next time, I imagine you'll appreciate those too.

Very nice build!! I’ve got the pen build bug myself . I have a 505 waiting on a driver to send Paul for testing, then will press into a pen host. The 490 I ordered will too go into a pen but I’ll probably just use AAAs for it if possible... all coming soon. I may just lump them all together when finished

SGD:beer:

+Rep

Depending on what current you go for AAAs should work, that's what I'm using but I kept the current low. I found the Vf was a little under 6V at 100mA for these 495 diodes. Around 5.6V IIRC. Looking forward to seeing your build!

Cheers! :beer:

AAA batteries might not be an option as the Vf on these diodes is fairly high and you will need a boost driver to get there. You could get by with some Li-ion batteries about that size, but they would need to be in parallel as you can't have the voltage in higher than the Vf. You could get by with a buck driver and two Li-ion batteries in series, but it needs to be low current. We can talk about that by PM.

See above. If the current is low enough (as in my case) AAAs should work, otherwise yes, a pair of Li-Ions in series with a buck driver would be more suitable.

Nice work--great pen--excellent photos. Enjoy it.

Thanks Encap! :beer:

Will need to set up all of the lasers at some point for a group long exposure photo...

 

[trinh hong phuoc]

woa-Although 100ma is modest, the colors are great

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi
Great pen 495 build the last 66 hosts are timeless and always a pleasure to see one come alive with a great WL. Hey don’t forget the 505’s they to have an awesome WL I just tested a few I have and the color is still a wow.And they are all case Negative
Rich

 

[paul1598419]

I have never set one up at 100 mA before. I know some members do that, but I like a little more power. I guess it's hard for me to wrap my head around setting these up for threshold current or a little above that. Dr.Laser has his set to output 10 mW. At that power you could likely use button batteries. :crackup: