- Joined
- Feb 18, 2012
- Messages
- 796
- Points
- 28
Alright guys, so I've finally completed my 1.8W 445nm C6! Technically, it's my 3rd try, since the first two failed 
My Thoughts
It was a long road, but a very insightful one it was. Went through over 5 hours of work trying to figure everything out for the first time, ran into a couple of bumps along the way, like having 2 CREE drivers and 2 A140's die on me. But after using Moh's quality linear driver and DTR's M140, things finally worked out. I gotta say, I've learned a lot and am now equipped with much more experience. With the addition of taking the time to heed all the advice from the likes of flucero28, Fretwrecker94, Blord, Gatkins, Ghostchrome, and Mohrenberg (thanks guys) in my help threads and on PMs, the 3rd attempt went silky smooth.
The Build
Host: C6
Driver: Mohgasm Linear @ 1.6A
Diode: Very efficient M140
- With 3-element lens (outputs 1.8W @ 1.6A)
- With G-2 lens (outputs 2.1W+ @ 1.6A)
Additions/mods: Arctic Silver'd 3 layers of cut aluminum fins onto the driver IC, measured so it's thick enough to be further heatsinked to the inside of the pill when pressed, for ultimate heat transfer! (Thanks Moh for the advice!)
The Beam
The first time I turned the beast on, it burned a black spot on my wooden bed frame immediately on contact. It also instantly burns your skin, which I found out painfully the first time I adjusted the focus. Never thought the laser would be this powerful!
*These beam pictures are all taken w/o fog and with an Android so they're not the greatest
Down the residence hallway
Into the starry night (sad cam can't pick up starlight)
Looking at the beam head-on
LPM Results
As you can see from the following LPM log names, I really only expected to get 1.5 - 1.6W, and was astonished with the results.
3-Element Lens after full charge
G-2 Lens w/o full charge
Conclusion
At 5 hours worth of foregone time and $100 worth of foregone drivers & diodes, my "first build" was surely a costly lesson. However, I am coming out of this with 3 builds worth of experience--probably more because you learn more from your mistakes than successes. And best of all, I am now a father of one of my own babies (not adopted
). I'm a bit on the promiscuous side though, so you'll be seeing a lot more babies from me in the future 
---LPF Initiation Complete---
CHEERS MY FRIENDS! :beer:
My Thoughts
It was a long road, but a very insightful one it was. Went through over 5 hours of work trying to figure everything out for the first time, ran into a couple of bumps along the way, like having 2 CREE drivers and 2 A140's die on me. But after using Moh's quality linear driver and DTR's M140, things finally worked out. I gotta say, I've learned a lot and am now equipped with much more experience. With the addition of taking the time to heed all the advice from the likes of flucero28, Fretwrecker94, Blord, Gatkins, Ghostchrome, and Mohrenberg (thanks guys) in my help threads and on PMs, the 3rd attempt went silky smooth.
The Build
Host: C6
Driver: Mohgasm Linear @ 1.6A
Diode: Very efficient M140
- With 3-element lens (outputs 1.8W @ 1.6A)
- With G-2 lens (outputs 2.1W+ @ 1.6A)
Additions/mods: Arctic Silver'd 3 layers of cut aluminum fins onto the driver IC, measured so it's thick enough to be further heatsinked to the inside of the pill when pressed, for ultimate heat transfer! (Thanks Moh for the advice!)
The Beam
The first time I turned the beast on, it burned a black spot on my wooden bed frame immediately on contact. It also instantly burns your skin, which I found out painfully the first time I adjusted the focus.
Never thought the laser would be this powerful!*These beam pictures are all taken w/o fog and with an Android so they're not the greatest
Down the residence hallway
Into the starry night (sad cam can't pick up starlight)
Looking at the beam head-on
LPM Results
As you can see from the following LPM log names, I really only expected to get 1.5 - 1.6W, and was astonished with the results.
3-Element Lens after full charge
G-2 Lens w/o full charge
Conclusion
At 5 hours worth of foregone time and $100 worth of foregone drivers & diodes, my "first build" was surely a costly lesson. However, I am coming out of this with 3 builds worth of experience--probably more because you learn more from your mistakes than successes. And best of all, I am now a father of one of my own babies (not adopted
). I'm a bit on the promiscuous side though, so you'll be seeing a lot more babies from me in the future ---LPF Initiation Complete---
CHEERS MY FRIENDS! :beer:
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