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FrozenGate by Avery

561nm project box laser(Done)

Re: Got my 561nm module

Pretty close to the most sensitive 555nm. Very nice though. I still trying to figure out when to get a 520. I need some exotics!!
 





Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

Finally making some progress with this project. I've got the laser module heatsinked with the remains of the RPL host, and put into a project box with a switch and I'm currently using a LifePo4 3V cr123 to power this. Once my AA holder comes in the mail I plan on also sticking that into the box. This laser will then have 3 power options. Alkaline AA's, NiMH AA's or 3V CR123's.

It's not exactly a pointer, but hey, it's completely portable and you can easily take it around and point it at stuff. Pretty good duty cycle also. Had a little fun star pointing with this thing last night. I wanna say this is about as bright as a 8-10mw 532nm green depending on the light conditions. It's probably gonna stay in this box unless I can find a GLP host for it.

IMG_0800_zpsry9uioyo.jpg


IMG_0801_zpsmcatwbgr.jpg
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

I was going to suggest adding a 5 VDC fan, but from the look of your box, it might be more trouble than it's worth.
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

paul1598419 said:
I was going to suggest adding a 5 VDC fan
Click to expand...

There's only a watt of heat coming from the pump diode and MCA. Adding a fan would introduce dust, greatly reduce battery life, and would be noisy... all while offering virtually no thermal benefits.
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

Pretty cool, I'm all for box hosts!
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

Box hosts are indeed fun to see, I want to make one myself one of these days...
You've got quite a bit of space left in the box, why not add a charging circuit (and even bigger battery) so that you can just use a charging cable to charge the battery, at least so you don't have to open the thing up every time you wanna charge. :)
 
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Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

ElectricPlasma said:
Box hosts are indeed fun to see, I want to make one myself one of these days...
You've got quite a bit of space left in the box, why not add a charging circuit (and even bigger battery) so that you can just use a charging cable to charge the battery, at least so you don't have to open the thing up every time you wanna charge. :)
Click to expand...
Good idea actually. I plan on adding a AA holder and using NIMH batteries with this laser for the most part. I could possibly add a jack input or something to simplify charging.
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

Razako said:
Good idea actually. I plan on adding a AA holder and using NIMH batteries with this laser for the most part. I could possibly add a jack input or something to simplify charging.
Click to expand...

I would imagine there's charging boards for NiMH cells on eBay for FT, not sure as I haven't worked with NiMH before. Doesn't take li-ions?
 
Re: 561nm project box laser(making progress)

Yeah, I'm gonna add some neat features to this. It's gonna have a charging jack and a voltage display when I'm done with it.
 
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Project is done. Here is is powered by a LifePo4 battery. The Voltage readout gets pretty dim under 2.7 volts so it's mainly useful for alkalines and 3V lithium batteries.
IMG_0822_zps36nre2au.jpg
 
ElectricPlasma said:
Cool! Got pics of the inside?
Click to expand...
Sure. Nothing too special. Just a bunch of point-to-point wiring and hot glue. This laser can take 3 battery types. LifePo4 Lithium cr123A, Alkaline AA and NiMH AA. I could probably get a little more power out of this if I removed the glass window in front of the module, but I like it to keep dust out. I metered this module with my LPM and it peaks at 10mw.
IMG_0823_zpsbqyhg6ib.jpg
 
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Nice job. I've done some 532nm in project boxes too. I still have the parts to do one more if I ever get around to it. I used an IR filter instead of a window. I like the option to charge it without taking it apart and the volt meter. Too bad it dims with lower voltage. I guess you could give the display it's own power source if that ever gets to you.
 
Razako said:
Project is done. Here is is powered by a LifePo4 battery. The Voltage readout gets pretty dim under 2.7 volts so it's mainly useful for alkalines and 3V lithium batteries.
IMG_0822_zps36nre2au.jpg
Click to expand...

Too bad I can't rep you again right now, but that is a sweet setup man.
 
Congrats on getting her done. Looks like a standard radio shack project box. Have a bunch of different size ones hanging around as I'm always coming up with ideas for things.
Honestly hope you will keep an eye out for the host you really want though.
 
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