My 1'st labbie-Homemade--(updated)

[Greenmechanic]

I have built many flashlight and pen lasers and was getting bored with them. Not really, I am just sick of charging battries! LOL
Any way, I thought I would build a labbie. Have been reading on here about others pushing the LCC's to 600mA with some luck (so far)

I built this using a LCC with a Modwerx module/heatsink with glass lens.
Built the driver substituting a 15 turn pot for the 1 turn one.
Also milled out a heatsink for the regulator on the driver, as I am going to be pushing this one hard. Potted the driver in epoxy. (except for the adj. end of the pot of course).
The bump on top is a mA test point and there's a hole in the side to adjust the pot without opening it up.
Also allowed plenty of wire coming out of the module, so if the diode blows I can just unscrew the front of the module and the diode retainer ring and have the diode replaced in 5 min.
Here's a few pics. Hope you like!:yh:

Top of laser showing the switch and test point.

From the side showing the mA adj. port.

Burns like a champ.

The insides, still need to tidy up some wires.

Close up of heatsink I machined (that took as long as the rest of the build to make,(Well, close)

And of course, a couple of beam shots.

Like I stated before, I am running it at 600mA. I don't know the mW's because all of my meters will only read up to 300mW. I'm guessing close to 450'ish. Have about 1 hour on it so far, in 2-5min duty cycles. The driver gets hot but the LD heatsink,only warm.
Only time will tell. I think I got a sturdy diode although. Thanks, Glenn!
(I wish my Kenometer would get here!) :thanks:

 

[FlightLevel350]

Re: My 1'st labbie-Homemade

600ma, wow. :beer: Being a labby, I suppose the point is not to have a duty cycle, but with that kind of current, how long do you keep it on? That heatsink must get pretty toasty. If its around 450 with a aixiz glass, then with Jayrobs 605 red lens you would have a half watt of red light. Great job!!

 

[photonaholic]

Re: My 1'st labbie-Homemade

schweet!!!

 

[Greenmechanic]

Re: My 1'st labbie-Homemade

I thought I'd do an update.
Have about 3 Hrs. run time now. Mostly 2-3 minute duty cycles.
Also did a couple of tests with a contact thermocouple, 10 Min. duty.
Driver/Heatsink is running 40-50 degrees over ambient.
LD heatsink running 20-30 over ambient.
So far so good!:yh: In the meanwhile I have been reading up on the LCC.
I found this quote

Dave;I just remembered why it is set at 500mA. I graphed the diode up until it started to show its knee at 510mA and backed it back below the knee. Above the knee the efficiency drops significantly and the diode becomes strained. That's one of the reasons why people who are running them at 600mA are only getting 20mW more from them than I am at 500mA (plus my lens).

Now I am thinking of turning it down. If I am only gaining 20 mW or so.
The nice thing is I can turn it down without even opening it up. May have to turn it back up when I receive my Kenometer.
I have to see what it's top output is,but I'm not pushing it past 600mA.
It is by far the hottest red I have. When I shine it on my LPM (w/LD filter)
it pegs the anaolog meter with a "boing"
The meter maxs. out at 300, so all I can say for right now is >300:thinking:

Like I stated ,I have read all there is to read on this subject.

But in the end, as the proverb says;"Learn of the skilful, he that teaches himself, has a fool for a master.
Interpretation; I'm listening to Dave!:thanks:

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

GM ---

How about grabbing a few data points on this diode? Then graph it to see if you are above the knee? Post your findings. WOW -- 600 mA is a BEAST!

HMike