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FrozenGate by Avery

[Pic Heavy] 208mA 16x Diode <$5 Budget Burner

Fretwrecker94

Fretwrecker94

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Hey all, just wanted to share my recent build with you all!

I'll start off by saying two things. It's not pretty. Also, it's not much, but for the price it's more than just "something" :)

The diode I used was free! I got a free broken 16X DVD Burner from a local computer repair shop in my city and I took some pictures of it here. So the biggest cost of this build was immediately not paid! Which is more than welcome :D

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There are some things about this build that you ay cringe at. In fact I cringe at them a bit... but hey the whole thing cost me less than 5 dollars to build, so I can't complain! The biggest "rough" spot is the Aixiz module. I didn't properly sand out the inside of the heatsink and I pressed it in too hard. But again, I would take a $5 burner over aesthetics any day!

Here's the build!

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I got the heatsink from a broken computer at school. Our tech guy gave it to me.

Specs
Diode: 16x Diode
Current: 208mA via LM317
Estimated Output: 120mW

The driver is a DIY LM317. The parts in total cost me less than $3 since I ordered the LM317 in bulk a while back. It's set to 208mA using 2 3-Ohm SMD Resistors. Really they are a terrible choice to use for this kinda thing, but its all I had. I have tested it using a test load for 5 minutes straight and it put out a constant 208mA throughout!

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Here are some shots of the laser in use!

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BEAMSHOTS!

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Price Breakdown
Diode: $0.00
LM317: $0.50
Aixiz Module: $3.50
2 Resistors: $ 0.10
Capacitor: $0.20
Heatsink: $0.00
Total: $4.30

Here's just a bonus macro I took of a part coming off the 16x sled I got. I'm not sure what it is, but it looked really cool up close and I thought I'd just share a picture of it :)

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Paddy said:
Not bad for under $5!
Click to expand...

Haha, thanks man. Yeah I was going for budget over bronze. While I love taking time to carefully construct a nice looking laser, I felt it was time for a "dirty" one. This one, I really like!
 
My God! Did you drop the all thing from a two-story building?? NICE xD
Why only 200mA? At that current you wont even need heatsinking :thinking:
 
LuxorLasers747 said:
My God! Did you drop the all thing from a two-story building?? NICE xD
Why only 200mA? At that current you wont even need heatsinking :thinking:
Click to expand...

Haha yeah the module took a beating. But I'm not concerned. Function over fashion!
Well I'm not too familiar with 16X diodes. I may replace the driver's resistors to push it at 250mA and see how it does.
 
LuxorLasers747 said:
You should have no problem at 300mA on that heatsink.
I forgot to mention.. nice beam shots!
Click to expand...

Sweet, yeah I just looked that up around the web and its all checking out! Thanks for the heads up
+1 :beer:

*Edit* this is a closed can though, many refer to it as the SenKat diode, so I'm not sure. Many threads and posts I've seen said these are best driven around 200mA. But I do have a separate 16x diode I've yet to use, so the info still helps :)
 
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Fretwrecker94 said:
Sweet, yeah I just looked that up around the web and its all checking out! Thanks for the heads up
+1 :beer:

*Edit* this is a closed can though, many refer to it as the SenKat diode, so I'm not sure. Many threads and posts I've seen said these are best driven around 200mA. But I do have a separate 16x diode I've yet to use, so the info still helps :)
Click to expand...


I´m pretty familiar with this diode, if i remember well, my first laser was a 16x in axiz module driven by 2x AA with only a cap across the diode and it still alive! Of course i never ran it for more than 10 secs straight but they´re so tough!

Thats why i said 300mA is ok, expecialy with that heatsink. Make it your max though :p
btw, thanks :beer:
 
Nice Build. Love DIY Labbies.:) The first beam Pic is Sweet.!!!:cool:



Link to your heatsink Please.?
 
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lazeerer said:
I have no idea where to start to look. But it for sure is a Wicked cool Heatsink.:D
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Yeah I really liked the look of it. It's really nice and solid, the fins are really sturdy! I like that I didn't have to use a heatsink that was all fins and I could, instead, just drill through the core.

bennett326 said:
places like newegg.com computer parts sites etc :)
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Oh man, if I had a quarter for every time my dad orders from newegg.....
 
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