ML101U29 First Build

[hwang21]

So I recently picked up 10x ML101U29 red laser diodes (660nm 300 400mW CW Red Laser Diode ML101U29 25 10pcs Pak | eBay), got them pressed using flaminpyro's 5.6mm press set (thanks flaminpyro :beer into these modules (10 Pcs Pak 12mmx30mm Laser Module House for to 18 5 6mm LD with Lens | eBay), and obtained these drivers (2pcs Adjustable Current Laser Diode Driver 80 500mA w TTL | eBay). So now that's all and good, I'll be soldering the driver to the LD pins on Monday or Tuesday (although I'm not entirely sure if these drivers actually go up to 500mA, as stated in the title, or 300mA, as stated in the description :thinking.

But now, what hosts will work well with this setup? I was recommended MXDL hosts, would this work? Black MXDL 3W LED Mini Pen Torch Flashlight 2 AAA Battery Torch with Belt Clip | eBay Or this? MXDL 7119 1 5V 1W 80LM 50M Range Aviation Aluminum Flashlight Gray with Clip | eBay I'll need 10 hosts hopefully not too difficult to rig something up?

Thanks guys :beer:

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

Those two look about right, but you won't know for sure until you have one in hand.
Anything with a 12mm i.d. will work.

 

[dubious speculation]

If your going to buy MXDL pen hosts just buy them from fasttech, the longer 3w one is half the price on fasttech than the one you linked too. unless of course you would want to buy them from within the US, but if you wanted to save a few bucks heres the cheaper ones from fasttech

heres the longer 3w 50 lumen mxdl

$3.21 MXDL XT7224 3W 50-Lumen LED Flashlight with Clip - 2 x AAA at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

and the shorter 3w 80 lumen mxdl

$2.89 MXDL XT-7119 3W 80-Lumen White LED Flashlight - 1 x AAA at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[bdgreenb]

Get a pre wired host from MrCrouse. He make it so all you have to do is attach the driver - and + to the hosts prewired + and -

 

[hwang21]

Thanks, will try :beer:

 

[hwang21]

An update... how do you measure the current the laser diode is taking? I tried measuring the current by placing my multimeter leads in contact with the laser diode pins (which are soldered onto my driver), and the laser diode stopped lasing but I got a reading of 1.2A (which doesn't make any sense)... is this baloney or what? Thanks

 

[The Lightning Stalker]

The meter should be in series with the diode, not across it. You'll have to desolder one of the leads.
There is a way to do it without desoldering, but you would have to know the exact resistance of the wire
going to the diode - not something you can do with a regular multimeter.