MXDL Lasers & Heatsinks

MXDL Lasers & Heatsinks by jayrob

My LPF Laser Thread

My build is just a 'pumped up' version of Daedal’s original build.
The differences are:
* The open can diode (long)
* The heatsink
* The use of the 3 ohm resistor, instead of 2 x 10 ohm resistors and a pot. No pot, and just the 3 ohm resistor at the LM317 will give you the 420mA's. (about 250mW’s with an acrylic lens – 300mW’s with a Meredith glass lens)
* Heatsink needed! As well as the 3.6 volt batteries. His laser thread doesn't mention the silicon diode and cap, because he covered that in his driver thread. He shows pictures of those components in his build.

Daedal has a very good guide on the building of this MXDL host here:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186966870

DDL's driver thread is here: http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185701612

I have a couple of documents and ‘tips’ on doing this build using my custom heatsink. In my ‘Driver Tips’ document, you will find a good schematic of the original DDL driver.
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/MXDLDriverTips.doc
http://www.sonic.net/~jayrob/MXDLHeatsinkTips.doc

Just so you know... I do not use any heat on the diode harvest. My method, is to use very fine tipped snips, to 'clip' the pins clean. The only heat applied, is when soldering the wire leads to the pins. (about 1 second per pin)

I can harvest diodes from either the Sony Optiarc drives, or the Pioneer 115D ($10 bucks more) I can mount these into the module of your choice. The acrylic lens is better for burning. (because you can focus it tighter) The Meredith glass lens gives more power, and is also $10 bucks more than the Meredith acrylic.

1. To build an MXDL laser with my heatsink, using a Sony NEC Optiarc open can diode with an AixiZ module (acrylic), I would accept ~~$175 $165~~ $160 plus shipping. ($170 plus shipping for using the Pioneer 115D diode)

2. To build an MXDL laser with my heatsink, using a Sony NEC Optiarc open can diode with a Meredith acrylic, I would accept ~~$210 $200~~ $195 plus shipping. ($205 plus shipping for using the Pioneer 115D diode) - (add $10 for a Meredith glass lens)

2 X 3.6 volt (fresh charged) lithium rechargeable batteries included.

Charger not included. Many people have their own charger already. If you don't already have a charger, you can get one here:
China: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936
U.S.: http://www.batteryjunction.com/tlunlichfor1.html

NEW!: As long as DrLava's FlexDrives are available, I will offer this excellent driver as an option for an additional $15 dollars. (which is about the difference) With the FlexDrive, the current can be adjusted! I have my FlexDrive build running at 448mA's. I think this is a nice 'happy medium' between the 420mA/470mA DDL driver choices. (heatsinked) I think that 470mA's is really pushing these diodes a little too much. Even with the thick heatsink.

For the FlexDrive builds, they will include 2 X 3.0 volt Lithium primaries. (I personally like the use of the Lithium primaries, because they will not lose charge when sitting) The FlexDrive driver, will have a silicon diode installed to drop the supply voltage to 5.5 volts, which is this driver's max input voltage.
Also, with the use of these FlexDrives, this host is now an excellent blu-ray host as well! Using the 3.0 volt Lithium batteries.

About Shipping

Important: I would guarantee that your laser would be working well, and putting out the power that I have labeled. The build would last a lifetime. But I cannot guarantee how long the LD would last. Because I have no control over how it is used/abused. I know it will last a long time if not abused. At that power, you would want to use a duty cycle of about 1 minute on/30 seconds off. I know that with my heatsink, it could be on for much longer. But why take the chance of killing the diode? Anyway, the diodes are not too expensive.

Please understand, I am not guaranteeing that the LD won't die for these builds. Even at 420mA's. (and will not be sending replacement LD's)
It is a very solid build, that is designed for easy access to replace the LD if necessary. The driver is built and mounted very solid, and should never need to be removed.

Build quality, heatsink design....these are what you are paying for. The LD is a relatively inexpensive part of the build (compared to the time, and care that I put into these builds), and can easily be replaced by the buyer if necessary... Or, I would rebuild it for you. You just pay for parts and shipping.

Also, If I sell you one, I would expect you to use it safely. I don't want to be responsible for someone using it inappropriately. Just to make sure you understand this. You would be responsible. In other words. You don't know me. Lol...

More details:
A Meredith glass lens will give a higher power reading, but will not allow you to focus the dot as 'tight' as the acrylic. At that power, yes the glass lens will easily light matches at 10 feet. But an acrylic lens will burn even better. Here is a picture and a video on this page. The picture shows two lasers with the exact same current.
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1199846835/75#77
I have them labeled. The glass lens laser is putting out more power because of the Meredith glass lens. But the video of the match burn at 4' distance, is with the acrylic lens laser. An MXDL acrylic lens laser at this power, when focussed properly, will light a black tipped match, at 20'! Pop black balloons at 30'.

AixiZ Glass Lenses: I also can offer you an AixiZ glass lens for the build. These lenses are better than the AixiZ acrylic and will burn just as good or better for these red open can builds! You can expect at least 7mW's to 10mW's more power. Just add $5 bucks if you want an AixiZ glass lens!

I do have part on hand! So I can build one any way you would like it!

Blu-Ray Lasers!

Kryton barrel build, or my new 'Pocket Pal' build!

Either one of these builds is awesome!...

* Pocket Pal - Custom heatsink/mount - very clean, and solid.
* Kryton Barrel - These 1st run barrels are hard to come by. I have two more that I can build.
* PHR-803T blu-ray diode.
* FlexDriver by Lava. (set at 90mA's)
* Powered by 3 X 1.5 volt Lithium primaries. (Pocket Pal)
* Powered by 2 X 3.0 volt Lithium primaries. (Kryton Barrel)
* (AixiZ acrylic lens - plastic cut away)
* At this current, you can expect between 80mW's and 90mW's.

Don't let the size of the little guy fool you...It is a very solid build! As is the Kryton.
I really like the use of the Lithium primaries. These batteries can sit in your laser and you don't have to worry about them losing their charge!

$225 plus shipping. (Pocket Pal)
Look here for a nice 'beam picture' as well as a look inside at the driver mount!
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1212910842

$265 plus shipping. (Kryton Barrel)
Look here for a nice 'beam picture'. Here, you will see a match burn video! As well as a look inside at the driver mount!
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1212202326

Heatsinks

My LPF Heatsink Thread

Custom fit heatsinks for the MXDL. Perfect for any DIY laser using the MXDL host. Highly recommended for making a high powered red, using an open can diode. Or, if you are getting in on the Phazor diode GB.

If anyone is interested, I am currently making my custom MXDL heatsinks available. Using this heatsink, Gazoo and I, along with a couple of others, have been running the open can diodes with a DDL driver at 420mA's. (3 ohm resistor) This combination gives you 300mW's (+ or - 10) in a hand held laser! (Meredith glass lens) If the lens is acrylic, the output would be around 250mW's...

The widest part of the heatsink, is the same 'thickness' as the MXDL reflector and glass lens that you will be removing, so that the threaded retaining ring will hold the heatsink securely in place. They are made specifically for this MXDL, which Daedal first showed in his 'DIY Laser Torch' thread:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171

I am offering them for $20 dollars a piece, plus shipping. Shipping to the U.S. will be a flat rate of $3 dollars (this includes insurance now). They will be fit for AixiZ, or Meredith modules, your choice. The heatsinks are drilled out, just a little larger in diameter than the modules, and have a set screw for positioning and securing the module. Either style will include the set screw. You will need a 1.5mm Allen wrench for the set screw. (wrench not included)

*New* I also have the dimensions for making heatsinks which fit perfectly into this 3 X AAA (size battery - use 3.6 volt 10440 for DDL driver) MXDL, which makes a very nice Blu-Ray host!:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3405

I can accept payment through either PayPal, or Google. E-mail me your shipping address and I can calculate the shipping and send you an invoice if you like.

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