USB rechageable laser

[kcarlson]

So i am wondering if there is anyone out there that sells either hosts or lasers that are rechargable with out having to take out the batteries preferably by micro usb.

 

[gozert]

I've seen some usb rechargeable lasers, but they weren't exactly of good quality. I think it won't be all that hard to make one yourself.

 

[kcarlson]

i think the hardest part for me would be figuring out how to run the circutry and mount the port.

 

[gozert]

You can always ask around. We have quite a few members here that know a thing or two about electronics. Might want to PM people first instead of making a thread if you don't have a specific question though.

 

[Pman]

Fasttech has some

 

[Benm]

It's not a very common feature, but would not be that difficult to add to any laser that runs of a single lithium cell since usb charger boards are so readily available.

I guess most manufacturers choose not to implement it though, and require you to put the battery in a charger between runs. Then again you could get a usb powered charger to solve the problem to some degree, though it will take quite some time to charge a proper 18650 cell from a usb port.

 

[VisibleGreen]

I know of a few. I can pm you some I have found if you'd like.

 

[ThePhotonist]

I know laserpointerpro sells some that can be recharged through USB. They are cheap but don't expect to get anywhere near the advertised power. I can't really recommend them

 

[Benm]

I guess it's not worth compromising on output for the usb functionality though.

USB charging could be added to any DIY laser host that has a little room for the circuitry, and some method of fitting a micro-b-usb port. The latter might be problematic since the connector is an odd shape that would be difficult to machine out.

Another option would be to do a cylindrical connector with a cable that has a connector that fits to that on one end, and a standard usb connector on the other. The actual usb to lithium charging circuitry is very cheap - the sort of thing you can find for $0.99 shipped on ebay.

 

[Atdit]

It's actually easy to build. Just add a TP4056 to the 3.7V and GND of your batteries and then you can easily recharge them with a Mini-USB port.

But this only works for Li-Ion batteries (18350/18650) with ~3.7V, and with only one batterie at once. (There might be other ways to recharge 2 batteries at once too, but I don't know them)

 

[Illuminum3415]

But this only works for Li-Ion batteries (18350/18650) with ~3.7V, and with only one batterie at once. (There might be other ways to recharge 2 batteries at once too, but I don't know them)

the latter is more difficult because it will need a voltage equalizer to balance out the cells. The easiest way I can think of is to place a 4.2V clamp regulator across each cell. If it was me, I would probably implement something like a bq29200 or bq29209 and skip the guesswork