Laser Housing

[Xplorer877]

Hey guys I joined to ask you guys what you would recommend as a suitable laser housing for a Axiz module that needs about 9v. It's a blue ray laser 803T with a Micro drive regulator (rkcstr) running at 150mA.

I am familiar with Deal Extreme (THAT SITE IS SO ADDICTING) but don't know what flashlight will be the best to mod. And I don't want it to look like a flash light (the bell profile on one end).

What do you guys think? what do you recommend?

Also I think the driver needs 2.2v and I'm not sure on the diode, so does it have to be 9v or down around 7.2v? This is my "max power" ;D laser where I care more about mW than lifetime. As of right now I have it running off a 9v batt but its actually more like 8v. My question is will running it at a lower voltage like 7v affect the power in mw even though its going through a regulator?

Thanks
-Tony

 

[rkcstr]

There are a few people around here that make various machined heatsinks meant for implementing an Aixiz module into various flashlight hosts.

jayrob does MXDL flashlight heatsinks
dark_horse does Dorcy flashlight heatsinks (and a few others, i believe)
likeitbright has just started making a heatsink for a smaller DX flashlight

No matter what, with my driver, you'll probably need more around 8V than the 7.25V as I suggest in instructions or whatnot... it all has to do with the operating voltage of the diode, which can vary depending on the driving current and the individual characteristics of each diode. If you feed the driver 9V (a 9V battery may or may not have enough "juice") and measure the voltage from the diode positive to the common negative (either diode or battery negative), that will tell you what your operating voltage of the diode is, then you can get an idea of what the minimum input voltage is.

Once you go below the minimum input voltage, the current will start to drop out (decrease) as the driver doesn't have enough voltage to maintain regulation. It will not harm anything, but the laser diode will start losing power.

 

[Glaserfan]

I have this exact build in the smallest plastic project box radioshack sells, with a momentary switch. Boxy, yes, but functional. Fair warning.. yes the 9V battery will work, but it will not last long.. after about 1/2 hour runtime, the laser loses output due to the battery wearing out..

 

[Xplorer877]

Thanks man! Your drivers are awesome! Good luck with school!

But the MXDL and the others only accomadate 3 AAA (4.5v). I would have to get a new driver.

Does anyone know of a mod able flashlight that uses 9v?

 

[rkcstr]

Some people use the AAA-sized lithiums (10440) in the 3xAAA MXDL flashlights to get ~11V. But you can also use just two for about 7.2-7.4V if you're powering <100-120mA.