--- confirmed 2.674 watt laser
Since this forum has given so much to me I thought I'd return the favor.
I've built this laser with the need to kill aiptasias in my fish tank that has grown in large numbers. I needed something that has the power to penetrate salt water and have a relatively high duty cycle. The previous laser I had, a 2.4w 445nm laser got too hot too quickly. With a 60 - 120 second on time and equal time cooling, I just wasn't accomplishing my task. Because I've got to penetrate 3/4" acrylic then in thru salt water, I needed to leave the laser on the target longer or get something more then 3W. I quickly realized that even with 3W and continuous use tho, my effective range is 6" from the acrylic. My next build will be a dual diode laser. But anyway for now I can easily accomplish long duty cycles.
This build is a light weight Maglite with active cooling. I don't have an LPM so I don't know the wattage.
parts:
1 2D cell Maglite
1 9mm 445nm diode with Xdrive @ 2.4amps , G2 lenses
1 Aluminum Heatsink Cooling Cooler Heat Spreader for 3W LED Light Bulb
heatsink found on ebay for $5 from china.
Its got a diameter of 53nm and height of 23mm, hole is 11mm
2 36650 cells
1 foam
1 25mm x 25mm Sunno Fan
1 standoff
and a bunch of misc hardware
The setup keeps the laser relatively cool even when left on continuously. I'd say about 94 degrees at the warmest areas. The driver is sandwiched between 2 pieces of aluminum and integrated into the heatsink on both sides. Only 1 standoff is required hold the fan in place. Foam is glued to fan as a shroud to force air thru the fan and move air out of maglite. 4 Holes were drilled near the power buttons for air intake.
The heatsink is held in place by the maglite lense cover holder. the cap at the end of this maglite had to machined down so the spring is recessed in to allow for more room for the 36650.
The heatsink won't fit as ordered. You must have a lathe and cut the outer diameter down, AND bore out the the inner hole to 12mm. A mill will also be required to drill 3 holes for the standoff for the fans, and 2 set screws to hold down the diode AND the heatsinks for the drivers.
The entire build was relatively cheap and effective.
$5 for the heatsink
$5 for the fan
$150 for the diode
$20 for the maglite
$44 for the batteries
The weight of this is almost same as a fully functioning 2D maglite.
Since this forum has given so much to me I thought I'd return the favor.
I've built this laser with the need to kill aiptasias in my fish tank that has grown in large numbers. I needed something that has the power to penetrate salt water and have a relatively high duty cycle. The previous laser I had, a 2.4w 445nm laser got too hot too quickly. With a 60 - 120 second on time and equal time cooling, I just wasn't accomplishing my task. Because I've got to penetrate 3/4" acrylic then in thru salt water, I needed to leave the laser on the target longer or get something more then 3W. I quickly realized that even with 3W and continuous use tho, my effective range is 6" from the acrylic. My next build will be a dual diode laser. But anyway for now I can easily accomplish long duty cycles.
This build is a light weight Maglite with active cooling. I don't have an LPM so I don't know the wattage.
parts:
1 2D cell Maglite
1 9mm 445nm diode with Xdrive @ 2.4amps , G2 lenses
1 Aluminum Heatsink Cooling Cooler Heat Spreader for 3W LED Light Bulb
heatsink found on ebay for $5 from china.
Its got a diameter of 53nm and height of 23mm, hole is 11mm
2 36650 cells
1 foam
1 25mm x 25mm Sunno Fan
1 standoff
and a bunch of misc hardware
The setup keeps the laser relatively cool even when left on continuously. I'd say about 94 degrees at the warmest areas. The driver is sandwiched between 2 pieces of aluminum and integrated into the heatsink on both sides. Only 1 standoff is required hold the fan in place. Foam is glued to fan as a shroud to force air thru the fan and move air out of maglite. 4 Holes were drilled near the power buttons for air intake.
The heatsink is held in place by the maglite lense cover holder. the cap at the end of this maglite had to machined down so the spring is recessed in to allow for more room for the 36650.
The heatsink won't fit as ordered. You must have a lathe and cut the outer diameter down, AND bore out the the inner hole to 12mm. A mill will also be required to drill 3 holes for the standoff for the fans, and 2 set screws to hold down the diode AND the heatsinks for the drivers.
The entire build was relatively cheap and effective.
$5 for the heatsink
$5 for the fan
$150 for the diode
$20 for the maglite
$44 for the batteries
The weight of this is almost same as a fully functioning 2D maglite.
Attachments
Last edited:
Where does the fan suck in air? if it's just the little hole near the button, you might want to add a bit more for more airflow 
