SST-90 Aspheric Light Head

betti154

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Jul 7, 2011
Messages
229
Hi,

Here's a few pics of my first aspheric head. It's a outputs a very bright spot so I guess it's doing what it's supposed to on that front.

I used the following parts:

LED: SST-90
Driver: 9A Buck Driver
Lens: DX 28mm aspheric
Housing: delrin, alloy, acrylic (6mm)

I played with a few different aspheric lenses from DX up to the 66mm one, though the 28mm was the best size and from my visual tests output the best light.

I also gathered along the way that the smaller sst-50 might have been a better choice, but I'd already ordered the SST-90 by that stage. I'd be curious as to whether the SST-50 would

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Codiak

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Dec 7, 2009
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515
Nice clean build.

Have you looked at using the aspheric from Ahorton instead?
 

mikesantor

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May 25, 2011
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308
Nice clean build.

Have you looked at using the aspheric from Ahorton instead?

I agree, Check into Aho's.

I just got into aspherics about 3 months ago. I bought 3 different kinds off the bat. the DX you bought, Ahorton's, and one for a D Mag.

The difference between DXs and Ahortons is night and day. I now have 5 DX lenses that sit in a drawer. They are garbage compared to Ash's lenses. Do yourself a favor and check them out.
 

betti154

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Jul 7, 2011
Messages
229
Ok, sounds like I need one of the ahortons. Anyone got a link?

Is the focus distance the same? Ie can I just switch the head out or am on back to the lathe to machine a new part?

Thanks, ds
 

mikesantor

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May 25, 2011
Messages
308
Ok, sounds like I need one of the ahortons. Anyone got a link?

Is the focus distance the same? Ie can I just switch the head out or am on back to the lathe to machine a new part?

Thanks, ds

No the focal length is different. You will have to re focus.
 

betti154

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Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
229
No the focal length is different. You will have to re focus.

&!£^%!

If I'm making another of these with the 28mm Ahorton, will I get a better result with the SST-50? I'm after max light, not efficiency.

thanks, ds
 
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Packhorse

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Nov 29, 2007
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1,912
Location
New Zealand
&!£^%!

If I'm making another of these with the 28mm Ahorton, will I get a better result with the SST-50? I'm after max light, not efficiency.

thanks, ds

SST-90 @9 amp will give you more light than a SST-50 @5 amps of course.

The advantage of the SST-50 is it will give you a tighter beam but the beam should be of about the same intensity ( lux) as the SST-90.

If for any reason you cant get a lens from Ahorton send me a PM. I have a few here.

Oh here is the link I forgot to put in my other post...

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?251396-miniMAX-with-SST-90!
 

DIWdiver

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Jan 27, 2010
Messages
2,725
Location
Connecticut, USA
I agree, Check into Aho's.

I just got into aspherics about 3 months ago. I bought 3 different kinds off the bat. the DX you bought, Ahorton's, and one for a D Mag.

The difference between DXs and Ahortons is night and day. I now have 5 DX lenses that sit in a drawer. They are garbage compared to Ash's lenses. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

I did the same thing and agree completely with the conclusions.
 

ahorton

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Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
715
Ok, sounds like I need one of the ahortons. Anyone got a link?

Is the focus distance the same? Ie can I just switch the head out or am on back to the lathe to machine a new part?

Thanks, ds

How is the body made? Do you have a cross-sectional drawing?
If the lens is sitting on a lip, you can probably just machine the lip down a little at a time to get the new focus right. Does the LED come in and out easily?

A crude solution might be to shim the LED if it's on an MCPCB.
 
Joined
Feb 1, 2008
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889
Location
US
Nice work ! May I ask what is size of square on ceiling and distance between ?

@Ahorton do you have some plans of your aspherics (under 45mm) if I like to try to switch yours for DE ? Thanks!
 

betti154

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Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
229
How is the body made? Do you have a cross-sectional drawing?
If the lens is sitting on a lip, you can probably just machine the lip down a little at a time to get the new focus right. Does the LED come in and out easily?

A crude solution might be to shim the LED if it's on an MCPCB.

The head is made in two parts, the Delrin body and the alloy section. Below is a VERY crude cross section of the alloy part. As this head is working, sealed and pressure tested I'll just give it to a mate and make another from scratch with Ash's lens. The lens (in red) sits on a lip so there is no adjustment without putting it back on the lathe which is more work than it's worth I think. The SST-90 is stuck with doubled sided thermal tape to the alloy piece at the bottom of the lens. Driver is held on the other side of the alloy section.

I designed this head to primarily house the triple optic, which is why there is extra space when the 28mm aspheric is used. The outer dimensions will remain constant meaning I can use the same parts and jig to build triple or in this case the aspheric version.

The front acrylic flat lens does the job, is cheap and quick. I'd like glass but am too lazy to source the parts and then it would require more time on the lathe to seat it perfectly.
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betti154

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Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
229
How does the delrin part attach to the ali head? are they threaded?

The four screws go through the acrylic front, then through clearance holes in the alloy and screw into tapped holes in the delrin wall.
 
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