MXDL Lasers & Heatsinks

MXDL Lasers & Heatsinks by jayrob

My LPF Laser Thread

My 4171 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

Note: 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 or less per pin)

It seems that the Sony Optiarc drives are no longer available, so I am using the Pioneer 115D. 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 Pioneer 115D open can diode with an AixiZ module (acrylic), I would accept $175 plus shipping. - (add $5 for an AixiZ glass lens)

2. To build an MXDL laser with my heatsink, using a Pioneer 115D open can diode with a Meredith acrylic, I would accept $210 plus shipping. - (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. ($215 - with AixiZ acrylic lens)

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 parts on hand! So I can build one any way you would like it!

Blu-Ray Lasers!

(Using PHR-803T 405nm Blu-Ray Diodes)

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 100mA's for longevity - Just tell me if you want it higher)
* 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 around 90mW's I've got my Leadlight blu-ray running at 145mA's and it is doing fine:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1217094699
Just let me know if you want the current set higher!

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 $23 dollars a piece, plus shipping.(sorry for the price increase) 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 want to remind everybody that there are three different MXDL hosts, that I am making heatsinks for. Each build, has a different host, heatsink, battery supply, and driver.

1. 4171 heatsink ($23) - For the MXDL that takes 2 X 3.6 volt rechargeable batteries for the high powered red diodes:
(using a FlexDrive, with 3.0 volt batteries, this host is also great for a blu-ray build!)
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4171

2. 3405 heatsink ($23) - For the MXDL that takes 3 X AAA batteries. (3.6 volt 10440 batteries for the blu-ray build/DDL driver):
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3405

3. 5387 (or 5095) heatsink ($25) - For the MXDL 'side button' host. (Super easy build! - See the link to my tutorial below) This host takes 3 X AAA batteries. (This build is designed for a FlexDrive) Here's the host:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5387

This (sku 5095) host is the exact same for this build if DX is out of the sku 5387 host.

The differences in these first two heatsinks, can barely be seen visually. But they are machined slightly differently for the fit into their respective MXDL hosts. Either style, can be fit for an AixiZ module, or a Meredith module.

In this picture, I have marked the heatsinks.

4171-A stands for 'DX SKU 4171 fit for AixiZ'.

3405-A stands for 'DX SKU 3405 fit for AixiZ'.

Note: Since we now have the FlexDrives, either host can be used for a Red, or a blu-ray build. So I will be marking the heatsinks with the DX SKU number of the host.

Just to let everybody know this. There would be no misunderstanding on your order, if you said 'I would like a 4171 - Meredith, and a 3405 - AixiZ'.

Here's the new one... (MXDL 'side button' host! - Easy build!) For the 5387 host (or the 5095 host). (this one is $25 plus shipping)

Here's my tutorial on the build:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1217045236

P.S. Once again, besides the MXDL host & heatsink being different for these builds, the battery configuration will differ, depending on which driver you will be using...

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

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