I know what you're thinking as you read the title. I've lurked for a while here, read FAQs and guides, and I'm looking to mod my current laser to IR. Why? I have some gen1 NV sights and the cost of IR lasers with windage and elevation adjustments are high. I don't want a high powered invisible burning laser. I don't want to burn out my retinas. I am buying the appropriate laser safety goggles. This build is for a .22 with a suppressor, recoil should be minimal.
I purchased a host for ~$24. It's listed as a 5mw (who knows the actual) red laser, uses a cr123A. The host is pictured at end of post. I disassembled the unit down to the laser module. The module looks to be identical to the 11.9 3v modules found on Dealextreme; linky--> 10mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
They would be a direct replacement other than soldering the spring in place of the wire leads, but I am unable to find these modules in IR. I assume I could further disassemble the red (original) module to reveal the laser diode, reverse engineer or replace the driver, then solder a new IR diode in. I think that converting the DX-green drop in module to IR would be easier for a newbie who hasn't soldered much in the past 10 years. I understand the efficiency of IR to green is low, so removing the crystal/lens will leave me with a higher output IR laser. (My 10mw green module may end up a 50mw IR.) Also, I'm not entirely clear on how to refocus the IR beam once converted. I may at some point build a high power IR laser illuminator (unfocused) once I have a better grasp on laser safety. Lets stick to one confusing project that can permanently blind me at a time. :yh:
I'm asking for some suggestions. I may have misunderstood or overlooked something while researching on this site. What do you experts suggest? If I'm barking up the right tree with the green laser module drop in conversion, could someone point me in the right direction on how to do that? If one of the very impressive builders here is willing, PM me a price to convert a module (or a few) for me.
I hope that I haven't come across as a lazy noob who wants to be spoon-fed everything. I've gone from knowing absolutely nothing about lasers to a layman's very basic knowledge. Impressive, I know.
host
I purchased a host for ~$24. It's listed as a 5mw (who knows the actual) red laser, uses a cr123A. The host is pictured at end of post. I disassembled the unit down to the laser module. The module looks to be identical to the 11.9 3v modules found on Dealextreme; linky--> 10mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
They would be a direct replacement other than soldering the spring in place of the wire leads, but I am unable to find these modules in IR. I assume I could further disassemble the red (original) module to reveal the laser diode, reverse engineer or replace the driver, then solder a new IR diode in. I think that converting the DX-green drop in module to IR would be easier for a newbie who hasn't soldered much in the past 10 years. I understand the efficiency of IR to green is low, so removing the crystal/lens will leave me with a higher output IR laser. (My 10mw green module may end up a 50mw IR.) Also, I'm not entirely clear on how to refocus the IR beam once converted. I may at some point build a high power IR laser illuminator (unfocused) once I have a better grasp on laser safety. Lets stick to one confusing project that can permanently blind me at a time. :yh:
I'm asking for some suggestions. I may have misunderstood or overlooked something while researching on this site. What do you experts suggest? If I'm barking up the right tree with the green laser module drop in conversion, could someone point me in the right direction on how to do that? If one of the very impressive builders here is willing, PM me a price to convert a module (or a few) for me.
I hope that I haven't come across as a lazy noob who wants to be spoon-fed everything. I've gone from knowing absolutely nothing about lasers to a layman's very basic knowledge. Impressive, I know.
host
