Ok, 650nm Time!!

[mfo]

Hello LPF. I'm slapping together my next build. Here is what I am going to do.

1)LPC-815 sled @ 420mA. I'm thinking of dropping it down to 400mA though. Feedback please?

2) Rkcstr driver.

3) Jayrob's penhost. http://laserpointerforums.com/f64/fs-new-pen-host-kits-all-parts-included-nice-22561.html

4) Dark-Horse Pensink. Pensink

5) Aixiz Glass Lens. (How much more output is the Meridith Lens over the Aixiz Glass?)

Please tell me what you think of this build, especially the heat sinking part. Thanks guys!

 

[Prototype]

I'd go with the Meredith fit for Aixiz, it provides a significant increase in power.

 

[pwnstar]

I have never herd of the Pensink before. Is that really going to help heat sinking threw the aixis module/pen case? I would think the case would insulate the heat. It sure looks nice though.

 

[mfo]

I have never herd of the Pensink before. Is that really going to help heat sinking threw the aixis module/pen case? I would think the case would insulate the heat. It sure looks nice though.

Hope so, or I'm going to have a really short lived diode lol.

 

[LaserRX]

That, although looks cool, won't really help protect the diode. The heat sink needs to be directly in contact with the diode, or seperated only by a microlayer of thermal paste. Though it is proabably better then nothing.

 

[mfo]

That, although looks cool, won't really help protect the diode. The heat sink needs to be directly in contact with the diode, or seperated only by a microlayer of thermal paste. Though it is proabably better then nothing.

Perhaps some thermal epoxy?

 

[bhank]

I would assume that thermal epoxy would work just fine, I mean isn't that what it's made for? I'm no expert lol I don't know for sure it just makes sense that it would work.

 

[pwnstar]

I would assume that thermal epoxy would work just fine, I mean isn't that what it's made for? I'm no expert lol I don't know for sure it just makes sense that it would work.

Thermal epoxy is definitely better than nothing but still nowhere close to being as efficient as one solid heat sink. Will the 3 volts from the AAA batteries be able to power a red with the rkcstr driver? I thought the power had to be like 1.5 volts over the diode or somthing. I could be wrong.

 

[LaserRX]

Yea definately better then nothing, though if you want to persue this method, you will need to remove the paint on the pen housing where the heatsink will fit.

Problem is that you have the module holding the laser diode inside the pen, the pen housing and then the heatsink, all which are likely differnent metal compositions (not to mention uneven micro gaps inbetween acting as an insulator). Each metal will transfer heat differently.

If done right though, it should be better then not having the heatsink, however I'd still use a strict duty cycle just to be safe (though 650nm diodes are generally quite robust). Definately worth trying though, if you do it please show some pics etc.

 

[mfo]

Yea definately better then nothing, though if you want to persue this method, you will need to remove the paint on the pen housing where the heatsink will fit.

Problem is that you have the module holding the laser diode inside the pen, the pen housing and then the heatsink, all which are likely differnent metal compositions (not to mention uneven micro gaps inbetween acting as an insulator). Each metal will transfer heat differently.

If done right though, it should be better then not having the heatsink, however I'd still use a strict duty cycle just to be safe (though 650nm diodes are generally quite robust). Definately worth trying though, if you do it please show some pics etc.

We'll see. I'm kind of leaning towards a different host now. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[randomlugia]

Here's a review of the pensink by gooeygus. http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/dark_horse-pen-heatsink-full-review-pics-added-37923.html

It's a positive review, and it does seem to work well, but a laser of this power in a pen still seems like a bad idea to me. The pen sink is was made just to give that little bit of extra heatsinking to a high powered laser that required duty cycles, not as a permanent heatsink for a DIY build.

 

[pwnstar]

Here's a review of the pensink by gooeygus. http://laserpointerforums.com/f52/dark_horse-pen-heatsink-full-review-pics-added-37923.html

It's a positive review, and it does seem to work well, but a laser of this power in a pen still seems like a bad idea to me. The pen sink is was made just to give that little bit of extra heatsinking to a high powered laser that required duty cycles, not as a permanent heatsink for a DIY build.

Oh thats good. But even if it didn't work, it looks pretty sweet.