high power 450nm questions

[FutureOne]

Hello people.

I got myself two NUBM44's, and a PBS cube D

Want to build a 12w-14w handheld. Have some safety questions though.

the highest wattage I have worked with sporadically is about 5w with one of Rick Trent's combiner units, and it was already finished, so it wasn't my build.

For eye protection I have 2 pairs of goggles:

A LaserGlow set that is OD7+, and

An OEM Laser Systems pair that is also OD7+


Are these brands trusted to be actual OD7+? I've never worried too much about it, and eyesight is still 20/20 , however, with these higher wattages, I rather be safe than sorry. What's your opinion? Should I consider getting something stronger?

Second, since I am going to be adjusting my beams, I'm probably going to spend a lot of time with the diodes powered on.

I don't want to run them full blast at 6W. I rather run them at a low wattage, let's say 200mW - 500mW for beam adjustment.

I saw on DTR's site that he ran them as low as 85mW with a current controlled power supply. I, unfortunately don't have one of these. What driver would you recommend for me?

Thanks

 

[Isaac Clarke]

if i remember correctly Lazeerer/Hiemal(Le quack) have one of those adjustable driver
also you can check with Mohrenberg as he stock Le quack driver.(those thing can be adjust from 0-5.5 amps!!!)

 

[hakzaw1]

I would suggest Lasorbs (aixiz.com)de close as posible to the diodes
There was a GB on PBS cubes for VERY HI Power- they tested them with long term 30 mW called it 'Baking the cube' to be sure they could stand the heat-

seller was Dave in Oz. at the show forum. fair price IIRC
they are small bt big enough to work with.
That told me a lot about cheap PBS cubes... these guys are pros and if they saw the need I goalong with that.

hak --PM if you need

 

[FutureOne]

Thanks so far guys.

I got the Stanwax kit with PBS and the adjusting mounts. Is that one up to the task?

 

[hakzaw1]

^^ oh YEAH- had I known that my post would have been shorter Stan is the Man across the pond - whatever he says is good advice-

we await pics of the build once you begin!!!o

 

[OVNI]

Are these brands trusted to be actual OD7+? I've never worried too much about it, and eyesight is still 20/20 , however, with these higher wattages, I rather be safe than sorry. What's your opinion? Should I consider getting something stronger?

A little late, hope it's useful. This site says for a 14W 445nm laser, your goggles need to have minimum OD of 4.15

 

[RedCowboy]

@ FutureOne
Are you going to use cylindrical pairs to shape your beams before the cube?
If not you know you will get a + shaped spot as you have to rotate one beam 90 degrees so they are not polarized the same.

 

[FutureOne]

Thanks for the reply guys. Not too late, as this Christmas holiday was freakin' busy and haven't had time to do anything hobby wise.

I probably won't get to this project 'till around Feb.

Not too worried about the shape of the beams, or if the end up with an "+" pattern. However, cylindrical pairs might be doable if they are not too expensive. Where would I find such a lens kit?

 

[RedCowboy]

I got a couple pairs in a group buy, they are small but that may be a good thing however they are not really a kit, just lens pairs and you have to do it yourself, now OPT may have a kit later.
Cylindrical lenses - Opt Lasers

You could mount 2 side by side in a heavy host that has good heat sinking, the lines will mostly overlap by 5 meters.