I know I can't regulate it without a driver....that's what the driver is for, I got that. I was only using it for a maglite because that particular PHR was weak, when I first got me 3 PHRs, I used a 4-pack AA battery holder to look at it and go 'ooo...aahhhh' then it went dim. So I figured I might as well have a 5mw blu-ray if anything. And, I knew blu-rays had a higher 'minimum' but I didn't know HOW HIGH. And yeah, alkaline cells would kill it, because they are like 3.7 per battery, vs 1.5 and DVD burner diodes (the red ones) take 3V...not 7.4V. So, I'll keep the red one in the Maglite, I'll put a driver in there when I can, and until then I'll just use it as it is now, a noobish burner. I realize it's dumb, but it's all I got for now, my driver will be coming in the mail on Monday (I hope). So then I'll set-up my blu-ray properly (sp), the one that's unused, so I know it isn't dead, or dim. Until then, I'll just mess around with my red one.
Wrong, alkaline cells are 1.5 V each, aprox same as Zinc Carbon cells.
Lithium cells are 3 V , Lithium ion are 3.7V.
Fresh cells will push several amps though the laser diode (if you are having 2x AA maglite). Imagine the fireworks inside the little unhappy thing. There are none
Laser diodes require constant current, not constant voltage source.
Batteries are constant voltage - they supply one value of voltage, and the current is drawn according to the resistance of entire load applied.
Constant current source apply one single current, and voltage is drawn according to the needs of the load, as much is applied as needed to complete the circuit (except extreme cases like no load at all).
Linear step downs can supply maximum voltage according to the input voltage and their dropout, and boost converters can supply as much voltage needed, at the expense of more current draw from the batteries (they basically draw extra current to turn it into voltage).
Maglites are bad hosts also. No room for anything. No switch at all actually, once you are all set up, you cannot turn off the laser as twisting the head would break everything inside.
Sorry to burst your bubble, dude. I really am. But please, if you really want to build something usefull to have fun with and amazefriends and so, get a decent host first:
Try DealExtreme, they have large selection, same as Kaidomain.
Get hold of some Lithium ion batteries and charger for them. They are priceless.
Get a good diode / source setup - The one that fits your needs.
Get a proper heatsink for your host.
Once you have that completed, everything else suddenly turns different.
