the diy attempt

[deebix]

i need some quick guidance on this.

so far, I have an LG 20x long open diode. Im going to buy the aixl module but am not sure what host to buy (need advice for a 2 battery host). from this point I dont know what I should get. should buy one of these DDL circuits from stone?

 

[chido]

The host depends on what driver you're going to use, you need to power the DDL driver with 7.2v, so you could get a host like this one so that you could use 2 rechargeable 3.6v with it.
You could also buy this driver, it's pretty much like the DDL one except this one is tiny and it starts dropping out at a lower voltage than the DDL circuit.
This is another driver, you can use 2 AAs to power this one since it's also a boost circuit. With this you wouldn't have a lot of trouble finding a host.

 

[climbak]

I did mine using this MXDL as a host, these batteries, the heatsink from jayrob, the ddl style micro driver from rkcstr set to 400mA. I am sure stone's are good as well.

EDIT: looks like you beat me to it chido

 

[deebix]

when I get one of these driver boards, how will i know if its appropriate in terms of ma current rating etc. does the 20x diode have to "match" any other specs on these drivers? How exactly do you guys manage to push all this stuff in the host if its not made to fit..drilling and gluing?

 

[pseudolobster]

when I get one of these driver boards, how will i know if its appropriate in terms of ma current rating etc. does the 20x diode have to "match" any other specs on these drivers? How exactly do you guys manage to push all this stuff in the host if its not made to fit..drilling and gluing?

You adjust the output current by changing the resistance, either by soldering in different value resistors (for the rckstr driver) or by turning a screw on a potentiometer (ddl driver etc). You check the current using a multimeter and a "dummy load" (a couple of LEDs or something else that has roughly the same draw as the laser) so you don't kill your laser diode when testing.
As for fitting everything in there, there's plenty of room once you take out the original flashlight guts, and these drivers are really tiny.. here's a guide showing how to fit it all inside.

 

[chido]

when I get one of these driver boards, how will i know if its appropriate in terms of ma current rating etc. does the 20x diode have to "match" any other specs on these drivers? How exactly do you guys manage to push all this stuff in the host if its not made to fit..drilling and gluing?

The sweet spot for the long open can diodes is 420mA, rckstr offers a 400mA which will work fine and the flexdrive can be set to deliver 420mA to the diode.
Yes, we drill and glue.