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i was in maplins the other day and saw this case and thought hm thats looks a good size and shape lets get one. so am now craming lots in there to make a 5-6watt 445 modules.
additional pics will follow as and when
the actual lid measures just 120mm by 95mm, so its going to be a tight build
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x..._3071Large.jpg
looks like its going to work, even if it is a bit tight
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00160Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00159Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00157Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000167.jpg
you know its a tight build when you have to mod the mirror mounts
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000168.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000171.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000173.jpg
i love this building pictures.
i have a question, why you using resistors ?
the flexmod will set the current, so why need them ?
it's extra heat inside
Looks like he's driving direct from a PSU for testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by RGB LASER VERKOOP
Nice work Mr C, tight as a ducks chuff in there!
This will be at the LEM, yes?
cos i was advise that you need resistors when running 4 diodes off one driver. dont ask me im crap at electronics.
indeed very tight, yes it will be at the meet boss
hope someone can explain me the risitors.
becourse i see them only as lost of current and heat up the housing!
pitty i can not see it there...
but i love see the pictures here..
good forum to share !
they are balancing resistors
Not all the diodes have the same resistance when running and thus some will take more current than others the resistors are there to make sure they all get the same current.
i think not!
the resistors have the same values, then you need potentio meters variable risitors.
and i think the diode current and drempelspanning (sorry dutch) are pritty close powers (1,1 till 1,3W) and we calculate with 1w so there no problems.
if you ask me....
but maybe i am wrong, i just not understand it, are there electronic experts here who can explain ?
i am a electric expert, not electronic
laser greets joost
I like your tight build, but the retaining plates appear to back up 4 diodes simultaneously. Having gone this route, this can make fine tuning diode rotation difficult. Am I miss-reading this or have you worked around this alignment challenge?
What issues?
I had a funny diode I had to swap out, only took a few mins and had no rotation issues.
This method works great for me
Andy i am correct in saying those are balance resistors right?
You put them on their to make sure each diode gets the same current.
no that can not be correct,. becourse you can not change the risistor so can not balance anything....
i am almost positive they are balancing resistors. someone with more of a rep will come in and confirm.
There is a good reason you dont attach 4 diodes to 1 driver without those resistors.
I have those same style resistors on my old dual loc build that used 1 driver.
Diodes are current devices... meaning they don't change there voltage much with current. When putting diodes or transistors is parallel (all + tied together and all - tied together) a balancing resistor is need. With out the resistors the diodes would have the same voltage across them. But due to variations in the VI curve they would all draw different currents from the driver. the resistors act as a equalizer. Joost is correct in thinking a variable resistor would be better. However, its common practice to use a low ohm high tolerance resistor to give satisfactory results.
If Andy was to wire the diodes in series (+ tied to - to + and so on) the resistors would not be needed because the current in a series circuit is always the same. This lets each diode "set" its own voltage so to speak. In this case the power supply would have to deliver less amps but more voltage.
Hope this helps.
thanks !
serie sounds good, my red also in serie!
These resistors (Very Low Ohms) will allow for current monitoring of each of the diodes
These are not to keep the current the same between all the diodes, the drivers are doing that.
They balance out the load drawn by each of the drivers, they could be low ohmage fuseable resistors also but I doubt it in this case.
Edit: Wow this is a great compact job andy!! Thanks for sharing!
Look at the third picture in the second post.... Only one set of alligator clips suggesting all are in parallel. My guess would be he is going to use two flexmods with 4 diodes each. Not 8 separate drivers. Could be wrong though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LaserCo
yes 4 diodes per driver so two drivers in the module
the next module will be 10 diodes and 10 drivers in the module
aligator clips: I payed no attention to the clips, I look now and I cannot tell what they connect to.Quote:
Originally Posted by logsquared
8 drivers: I meant diodes, whoops
Yes he is using two drivers each powering 4 diodes with a current monitoring point inbetween, the resistors.
Yes, it is a good place to measure the current. But they are primarily there to balance the current between diodes.Quote:
Originally Posted by LaserCo
rushed but finished (ish)
needs a bit of tweaking still but ready for the meet
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00181Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00185Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x..._3096Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x..._3097Large.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x..._3098Large.jpg
hey i noticed you only use half the screws in the flex mounts.
Are the other 2 not needed? as long as you only need to go down and to the right?
I use a m2 grub screw as they take up less space
Also thats a nice fly cutter your using there.
You using carbide tipped?
Or just some buffing it shiny?
I would love to see some pics of the tools.
Im a tool kinda guy.
Were just a normal fly cutter as far as im aware. Not buffed or anything just straight fly cut.
In person the fly cutting isn't perfect, but its ok
Great shots andy! I bet you crossed your fingers hoping for luck so the cover does not scrunch down onto them wires and block the final half of the beam!
What does that base to it all measure out to in thickness? 12.7mm?/.5" ?
Awesome job, thanks so much for the sharing and inspiration on this end! :D
theres loads of room in the cover not to press down on the wires, i also plan to do a bit of rewiring as im not happy with some of it. base plate is 10mm thick
i have a basic workshop and basic milling machines, but it does do everything i ask of it
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000205.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x.../WP_000207.jpg
Thats a nice shop and some nice tools.
My shop is cramped. there is a vertical hanging utility trailer and then in front of that there is a car. to the right of the car is my lathe and drill press and workbench then behind the trailer is my mill.
I wish i would have not gotten a round post mill. as i find my self having to adjust it alot, and because its round i always have to re track back to my work.
Nice werk, Andy... :cool:
Should-you decide to fit-in a 'window' to seal that aperture, here's a 'tip' / trick I discovered recently, when-using the 'CDAR" with 445.. http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...757#post220757 (..you can skip to the '22.5˚ part'... :)
cheers... :cool:
j
Also some how just noticed the DRO's, those are nice.
I see in your photos you buy wd 40 in a can. why?
Do you like it vs the 1 gallon containers?
Seems an expensive way to buy.
Nice work Andy.
jon it already has an ar window so its fully sealed :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by dsli_jon
finally ive 100% finished it after a minor set back and not having a lot of time to work on it at the moment.
done some heat testing earlier on a aluminium base plate and went very well. once heat sinked it seems to stay only lightly warm
so its now up for sale if anyone is interested PM me ;)
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...00232Large.jpg
Nice work Andy!
Funny how your camera shows the beam as bright blue.. my camera has trouble with 445, kinda looks dark-ish .
i found most cameras really like 445.
during a show 445 doesnt look that bright on its own, take a pic and it makes it look twice as good ;)
My god that thing is such a little work of art.
How many hours total investment into that sexy beast?
Nice work Andy :)
What beam specs are you getting from this and what stable power level have you been able to achieve?
i lost count of the amount of hours i spent on it.
beam is 5mm by 5mm @ 1.2mR
no idea on power as i dont have a power meter that can go that high
Very nice.
Make a nice Easter Present for someone. Imagine cracking open a chocolate egg to find that inside. Hmmmmmmm.
Nice work Andy.
Just need to pull that bubblewrap over it, bit of tape.. my address.. all done.
Yellow.
lol sure will post it today for you simon.
turns out after the meet nothing was wrong with it, i didnt kill anything.
i was rushing to get it up and running for the meet and used some insulating tape as a quick fix, a resistor pearced it touched metal and tripped the driver out. so i was very lucky and in future i wont be rushing to get stuff done and cutting corners
You could turn on 1 driver at a time and measure the powers separately. Add the two results to get total power :)Quote:
Originally Posted by andy_con
my power metre only goes up to a watt so would need to measure each diode on its own