I need help with Laser Hosts (Europe)

[TheChemicalWorkshop]

Hello,

My name is Matti and I’m a polish maker living in Germany

I’m planning to build few lasers and well, need help with laser hosts/drivers, I have absolutely no idea where to get parts from… well let me first list features I need

good looking chassis/host
should support any kind of diode, case positive and negative
easy to get (at least in Germany/EU)
futureproof – I should be able to get all parts in year or 2
ability to anyhow add filters… so for example green diodes don’t spill IR

I don’t care about cooling/output power, I intend to use the lasers in 1-10mw (max) range, prob go with 5mw which should be “safe” across all nm ranges.

Also, it would be cool if I could use the diffraction gradings like star and whatever not

More like a laser pointer for presentations or comparing colors kind of thing

I hope some laser geeks can help me with getting parts, I’m fine with soldering electronics and bunch of other things

 

[gazer101]

First buy the correct one of these based on your laser color: https://www.survivallaser.com/Safety_Goggles/cat556089_826120.aspx
Then buy this: https://www.survivallaser.com/Bargain_No-Diode_Host_Bundle/p556088_14474091.aspx

There are cheaper places to buy from, but they are not futureproof

 

[TheChemicalWorkshop]

First buy the correct one of these based on your laser color: (i can't post links)
Then buy this: (i cant post links)

There are cheaper places to buy from, but they are not futureproof

okay thanks that a good start, i'll skip on laser glasses (im well informed of safety), the whole point of my project is to be at/below safe limit so i can use them in presentations and other stuff, yes my lasers are intended to be toys

and yes, send me more cheaper options if there exist

also the problem i noticed is the current... they are 400mA and up which is waaay too much
one of the diodes i'm getting is a 505nm 35mW 100mA, and i intend to drive it below 100mA, also it's 7.5V diode so are there tiny boost drivers to do that? 18650's are 3.0*4.2V so thhat gotta be regulated somehow


i could do my own regulated PCB but i suck in design... not to mind mechanical stuff + don't have Equipment to solder SMD

 

[RA_pierce]

Something that fits everything you list is not available "off the shelf."
You will need an original design for that. If you draw up the plans yourself, there are some skilled machinists that can produce it to your specification.
For something adaptable to different configurations, you will have to be clever. There is no ready made solution for that.

Take a look at the Micro Flex drive v5. I have a 505 nm diode running just fine with one of these at ~100 mA. It's my preferred driver.

 

[TheChemicalWorkshop]

Something that fits everything you list is not available "off the shelf."
You will need an original design for that. If you draw up the plans yourself, there are some skilled machinists that can produce it to your specification.
For something adaptable to different configurations, you will have to be clever. There is no ready made solution for that.

Take a look at the Micro Flex drive v5. I have a 505 nm diode running just fine with one of these at ~100 mA. It's my preferred driver.

yeah I'll take a look into the micro flex drive v5

well, i was thinking about making a custom host but well, i have absolutely no idea about spacing/design/anything, i was thinking about Al pipe and just jam everything inside, but well, won't look good

hnn idk honestly
maybe gime me link to some cheap host (pls link), i'll just make something out if it and somehow figure out how todo stuff?

 

[gazer101]

yeah I'll take a look into the micro flex drive v5

well, i was thinking about making a custom host but well, i have absolutely no idea about spacing/design/anything, i was thinking about Al pipe and just jam everything inside, but well, won't look good

hnn idk honestly
maybe gime me link to some cheap host (pls link), i'll just make something out if it and somehow figure out how todo stuff?

You could even run a low power laser diode using just a resistor to limit current

 

[TheChemicalWorkshop]

You could even run a low power laser diode using just a resistor to limit current

SHARP GH05030C2LM says operating voltage typ 6.0 and max 7.5
so i'm pretty sure i need to boost.. i wanna use 1x 18650 or 1x the thinner ones... or smth
i have bunch of 18650 and a good charger so there are my preferred way (could use smth else tho)

 

[paul1598419]

You could even run a low power laser diode using just a resistor to limit current

That is exactly how many small cheap 650nm pointers are driven. The math is pretty easy if you know the Vf of the diode. Use E=I X R

E= voltage
I=current
R= value of the resistor

 

[hakzaw1]

In UK and highly regarded--

OdicForce

OdicForce Lasers Online Shop. Laser Modules, Laser Diodes, Laser Drivers, Lenses etc. for professional and enthusiast users. Information Sheets and Project Guides.

odicforce.com

lots of good reviews..

 

[TheChemicalWorkshop]

In UK and highly regarded--
(I CANT POST LINKS)
lots of good reviews..

Hi, i can't find any hosts where i can pop batteries in however... might you provide a link?