My first DIY ever. 650nm burning red.

[sablehilt]

Hey guys so first of all I want to point out that I am not new to lasers as all. I already have a collection of lasers. I own a 447nm 1W and I know how to safely operate high powered lasers. This will be my first time building a laser though.

Anyways, I want to build a 650nm burning red laser. I am getting this diode: HighTechDealZ - 650nm 20x DVD Burner LPC815 Laser in Aixiz Module

However I would like my laser to be run off of 2x Rechargeable 3.2V CR123's.
With this goal in mind I would like some help figuring out which type of driver I would need to handle this power supply, and have a stable high-powered long living laser life. If anybody could inform me on which driver to purchase for my laser to run off of the cr123's I would deeply appreciate it!

 

[grainde]

Have you heard of the LPC-826? Itll give a higher output. Have a look on ebay you can pic up a bare diode for $8.99 with free shipping and you can also pick up an aixiz module with lens, spring, casing and focus knob for $5.25 free ship on ebay too.

Best use a buck driver try Lazeerer...or alternatively a linear (cheaper), but less efficient from Blord. :beer:

 

[sablehilt]

Thanks for the help! I will make a thread when I finish this project. However what should the driver be set at. I still don't know much about mA.

So I will use the 826, an aixiz module with standard lens it comes with(would this lens work or melt?), I will also use 2x 3.2v cr123's. I need to figure out a host I will use. I think the c6 hosts would fit my batteries. And I'll use a buck driver set at (???) mA.

 

[grainde]

If I remember correctly some have been run upto 600 mA, but thats not recommended. Id stick to under 500 mA to be safe...here are some links:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/what-safe-current-lpc-826-diode-69342.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/max-current-lpc-826-a-68214.html
http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/lpc-826-current-72469.html

BTW just typed "current LPC-826" into the search bar... :beer:

Edit: Youll get around 300 mW or a bit more, so the acrylic lens should be fine. You can also use a 445 3 element for reds without too much loss or alternatively get the 3 ele coated for red...

Edit 2: Just thought Id mention it, but you know you need to buy goggles for red? The goggles you should have for the 445 wont work...

 

[Gofilord]

Don't buy from HighTechDealz, he lost me a 100$ and then ran away, not answering emails or phone calls.

 

[sablehilt]

@grainde I know I have to buy glasses for red wavelength. Thanks for lookin out for me though.

 

[ApexProxy]

I have an LPC-826 running on 490mA and its extremely stable. At close range and super focus I am able to get a tiny burn from it using a single element AR coated acrylic lens that I got from cajunlasers and a 3-element glass from DTR. It appears he is out so you may want to grab the 3-element from DTR here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dtrlpf/home/glass-lenses


If you are super serious about getting peak power from the diode you might want to contact jayrob and get one of his bare 650nm G1 lenses and drop it in a DTR lens barrel for about $37 total. DTR's lens barrel is also on the page with the 3-element lens. Here is Jayrob's lens sale thread:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/f...fication-fit-aixiz-25-increase-red-46332.html


This is the driver board I am using for mine which is a linear Mohgasm driver set to 490mA:
Mohgasm 490mA 16mm Round linear driver circuit [MOHR490] - $13.99 : Cajunlasers Store