Quick and dirty laser pointer (GB diode)

[dsnider]

I just built a laser pointer with the GB diode and a AAA mini mag. It took about 15 minutes. Take a standard AAA mini mag and remove the head. Then remove the bulb and the reflector. Mount the diode in an Aixiz module (described in other doucments). Put the pins of the diode in where the light bulb pins go (Trial an error can determine polarity). Put the head of the mini mag back on and you are ready to burn!

NOTE: This is a quick and dirty method that worked for me. There is no regulator circuit and you may VERY WELL burn out your diode. I'm using rechargeable AAA NiHM batteries. Regular batteries will probably burn the diode out in a hurry.

Good luck!

 

[dsnider]

See how the Aixiz module fits right in the mini-mag

 

[dsnider]

The Aixiz module plugs right in place of the light bulb.

 

[LarryQ]

You do not want to keep the Minimag lens on there...it will do nothing other than scatter the beam!

Also heat will be your mortal enemy with this mod.....

I have also built the same pointer..but I did add a 47Uf 32 volt capacitor across the Laser diode to absorb voltage spikes...

I used an Open can Diode from a 20X burner!

I run Lithium AA cells and MAN can this thing burn!!!!

Low duty cycle...but an awesome burner!!!!

Congrats!!!!

And welcome to Laserpointerforums.com!!!!

LarryQ

 

[dsnider]

Your right. Taking the lens off makes a bigger difference than I thought. It burns with the lens on, but it burns faster with it off I'll put a little grommet in there to hold the diode in. Thanks for the tip on the lithiums and the cap.

 

[Gazoo]

Running the GB diode with lithiums in the flashlight will probably kill it...an open can diode is a totally different animal..

 

[SenKat]

If you are going to try ANY type of batts in this sort of mod - I would use some resistors - you will most likley smoke the diode fairly fast otherwise....

 

[dsnider]

Agreed. I could burn the diode out. But I am using rechargeable batteries at about 2.4 volts so I think I'm in range. I made one last mod, I drilled a hole in the mag light lens so the aixiz focusing element would fit through.
I gotta get to bed and get some sleep before work!

 

[zerafiel]

Check the below the spring(where the spare bulb is) and you might be able to fit a 2.2 ohm resistor in there with little modification. Find a nice flat cap and you might be able to squeeze it between the aixiz housing and the top cap. I did pretty much the same thing with my aa minimag so I had a little more space to fit my cap. I wouldn't use lithiums. Use weak/used alkalines=<2.8v. Fresh nimhs put out 2.8v combined but with more current!! Careful with direct driving!

Pity your aixiz module doesn't come with the chrome cap on the black focusing part. My dx one does and it makes focusing a cinch. whenI screw it all the way down till it touches the drilled minimag lens, my laser is ~focused at infinity. Nice.

 

[o_DEATH_ANG3L_o]

Pretty nice little laser you got there. But as Senkat said, this will more than likely slowly kill your diode. :-/. At the least you could add a resistor, and maybe a capacitor to boot. Well good luck and nice mod.

 

[Benm]

Using 2 NiMH's you are probably in the safe range, at least as long as your diode doesnt get hot. If it does, it'll draw more current at a given voltage, and this is could easily run out of control, blowing it up in the end.

If at all possible, at least make a thermal connection between the module and the flashlight body. This can be conductive if you like, since the mag case and diode can are both electrically grounded.

 

[Things]

nice work! but as others have suggested, i would ATLEAST put a resistor in there, and maybe a capacitor!

 

[dsnider]

Thanks for all the tips. I will make a thermal mod to it but no resistor or cap at this time. I run it at 10-15 seconds at a time max and give it a long rest in between. I have extra diodes and I'm curious how long this one will last. Has anyone stress tested the GB diodes? I'll let you know when this one goes.

BTW: I just put in standard AAA batteries to squeeze out a little extra burning power

 

[Benm]

As long as you run on NiMH's, there is little use putting a resistor in - the diode needs the 2.4 volts as it is at room temperature. Just dont put alkalines or lithiums in there without addtl circuitry, and watch the temperature closely.

 

[Zarniwoop]

I was running an open-can LD off 2 AAs for quite some time with no regulation and no problem. As was previously stated, they *are* quite a different animal from the GB 16x diodes.
I've since pulled it out, added some protection, and plan to run it with a 350ma DC-DC converter to get more battery life at near full output.

I'd imagine AAA batts don't last long for you.

 

[SenKat]

AAA batteries are a COMPLETELY different animal ! That is how Wicked gets away without any regulation on their pulsar series of laser.....it does not run as powerful as it could doing it that way, but is TREMENDOUSLY safer than using AA batts !