I received the PS3 module from the group buy late last week. I had a busy weekend so this project had to wait until today (I had a day off).
I debated what host to use and what power source. Since I only ordered one assembly, I had to be extra careful not to screw it up so I opted for a safe route. Since the current draw is low and long run-time is not a major issue, I opted for a 9V battery solution. I used the same home brew driver that I made for the GB red diodes but with a different set current. The chip I used is the MC33269D in an SO-8 package. It performs similar in function to the LM317 but the dropout voltage is 1 volt instead of 2.5-3V.
To start, I worked out the maximum current I wanted the BLD to see. I chose 60mA, so the minimum resistance had to be 20.8ohms (=1.25V/0.06A). Since I didn't have a surface mount 20 ohm resistor, I used two 10 ohm resistors in series. I have some 10ohm, 20 turn trimmer pots so I used one of those to set the minimum current to 42mA (1.25V/30ohms). I drilled a small hole to allow for modification of the drive current. I laid out the board to fit the enclosure and went to work etching a board. After soldering on the components, I tested and installed it.
Here are some pics:
Front
Rear
Side
Adjust (40-60mA)
Inside
Inside
Inside (Board view - pot is on the back of this board). The hot melt glue ensures no stress is put on the legs of the LD.
Oh, and yes, it will light wooden and paper matches.
I debated what host to use and what power source. Since I only ordered one assembly, I had to be extra careful not to screw it up so I opted for a safe route. Since the current draw is low and long run-time is not a major issue, I opted for a 9V battery solution. I used the same home brew driver that I made for the GB red diodes but with a different set current. The chip I used is the MC33269D in an SO-8 package. It performs similar in function to the LM317 but the dropout voltage is 1 volt instead of 2.5-3V.
To start, I worked out the maximum current I wanted the BLD to see. I chose 60mA, so the minimum resistance had to be 20.8ohms (=1.25V/0.06A). Since I didn't have a surface mount 20 ohm resistor, I used two 10 ohm resistors in series. I have some 10ohm, 20 turn trimmer pots so I used one of those to set the minimum current to 42mA (1.25V/30ohms). I drilled a small hole to allow for modification of the drive current. I laid out the board to fit the enclosure and went to work etching a board. After soldering on the components, I tested and installed it.
Here are some pics:
Front
Rear
Side
Adjust (40-60mA)
Inside
Inside
Inside (Board view - pot is on the back of this board). The hot melt glue ensures no stress is put on the legs of the LD.
Oh, and yes, it will light wooden and paper matches.
