Hi All
The various threads on this board have been a great help. Thought I would post the results of my build for general info.
I first built a handheld using the PS3 diode. I incorporated it into a small aluminum case that already was setup for 15 LEDs and one LD (red LD on ebay by ledwholesalers). Worked out great, but not enough power for what I want. 405nm is very close to UVA, and is great for making minerals fluoresce many different colors. This LD will cause uranium minerals to glow green, sodalite to glow orange, fluorite to glow blue, some calcites reddish orange, others like ruby (bright red), wenerite - yellow, etc etc. It will be great for prospecting in the field in the daytime but I needed more power.
So the next project was the LG 6x drive. Long story short - did everything as others have done and success. I'm using the Meredith housing, 317 driver, and also have ten UV LEDs filtered by Hoya UV filter glass. I'm running the diode at about 85ma - simply cause that's all I need. I even defocus the lens a little to get a broader beam.
Some observations: At first had trouble getting the Meredith (glasss) lens to focus to a dot. Took note of several recommendations to file off the brass to allow more focus, but I found that just by turning the lens assy around in the housing I got the focus range needed, with lots of slack on either end.
At 85mw and a fine dot it easily burns...
Daylight visibilty is null until you hit something that is fluorescent and the color explodes. Really neat shining it on a dead rock and seeing other colors pop out....
The pinouts were a little confusing. Sharp has them posted on their web site, but you must install the Japanese fonts in Adobe to see the numbers in the drawing. The view is from the top of the diode.
One area of concern I have is reflections. Any recommendations for eye protection for these things? Any general consensus on the effect of defocusing the beam - less dangerous?
I can't post links for some reason on this bord (or pics) - sorry. But I will be putting some pics on my web site in the next few days if anyone is interested.
Thanks for all the great info....
Mark
The various threads on this board have been a great help. Thought I would post the results of my build for general info.
I first built a handheld using the PS3 diode. I incorporated it into a small aluminum case that already was setup for 15 LEDs and one LD (red LD on ebay by ledwholesalers). Worked out great, but not enough power for what I want. 405nm is very close to UVA, and is great for making minerals fluoresce many different colors. This LD will cause uranium minerals to glow green, sodalite to glow orange, fluorite to glow blue, some calcites reddish orange, others like ruby (bright red), wenerite - yellow, etc etc. It will be great for prospecting in the field in the daytime but I needed more power.
So the next project was the LG 6x drive. Long story short - did everything as others have done and success. I'm using the Meredith housing, 317 driver, and also have ten UV LEDs filtered by Hoya UV filter glass. I'm running the diode at about 85ma - simply cause that's all I need. I even defocus the lens a little to get a broader beam.
Some observations: At first had trouble getting the Meredith (glasss) lens to focus to a dot. Took note of several recommendations to file off the brass to allow more focus, but I found that just by turning the lens assy around in the housing I got the focus range needed, with lots of slack on either end.
At 85mw and a fine dot it easily burns...
Daylight visibilty is null until you hit something that is fluorescent and the color explodes. Really neat shining it on a dead rock and seeing other colors pop out....
The pinouts were a little confusing. Sharp has them posted on their web site, but you must install the Japanese fonts in Adobe to see the numbers in the drawing. The view is from the top of the diode.
One area of concern I have is reflections. Any recommendations for eye protection for these things? Any general consensus on the effect of defocusing the beam - less dangerous?
I can't post links for some reason on this bord (or pics) - sorry. But I will be putting some pics on my web site in the next few days if anyone is interested.
Thanks for all the great info....
Mark