Crazy power from modified PGL-III's.

[Shiftlock]

Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

SO I finally got the nerve to let my old PGL-III really warm up with the Pila 168A battery. Previously I just ran it for a few seconds to check the power output, which was showing just over 300mW. After running it for 4 or 5 minutes straight, I checked the power. 370mW! This is the old kind with the adjustable power output. It seems stable at that power output. The driver board got hot, but the diode didn't seem to overheat at all. The driver board in this old kind consists of nothing but a matrix of resistors, and it's completely unregulated.

So, if this can be done with the old-style PGL-III, it has to be possible with the new ones. Enough CFP members have these lasers now that someone must have started tinkering. Please share your experiences here. I would love to know how to disassemble them, for starters.

 

[Raccoon]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

Great piece of insight. Lets keep this thread somewhat media-friendly, shall we? (no "guess what i just burned a hole through?!")

 

[Catdaddy]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

I can't wait to get mine and get started!
I have been doing flashlights and knives for a while now and rarely get the excitement of a new toy. Boy, I have it now!!

 

[liteglow]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

here is images of my GLP-III inside /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[lasercrazy]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

You can probably get about 400-500mw if you really pushed it. I'm not interested in putting a different type of battery in it, but I would be interested in swapping the 3 resistors in the cap.

 

[sharkeeper]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

A few words of wisdom here...

A leadlight is capable of impressive power output increases - for a while.

There is no doubt that this design can do this too! I haven't disassembled one but I can tell you as the power output is increased it becomes increasingly important to properly cool the diode AND the Vanadate!!! Since these lasers don't use MCA's, there are no problems with MCA adhesive darkening, etc. However, it is still possible to shatter the vanadate from too much heat. It is impossible to tell how hot the vanadate is getting or even if it's properly heatsunk to handle ~2W of power! We already know these lasers are capable of double to triple their stock powers. What is needed is some reverse engineering to determine if they can last long enough to do it without turning it into a $700 flashlight barrel.

Second, the driver board in the picture posted above is far more robust than a leadlight obviously. It is probably capable of handling 1A+ of drive current. Much beyond that will require further protection of components on the board so they don't burn out. If a transistor shunts full battery power to the pump diode, it's sayonara in two microseconds!

Above all, be careful! These powers are just south of a class IV device. If you disassemble the laser to the pump diode, you have a very dangerous class IV device that WILL BLIND YOU INSTANTLY if you look at it while on!!!

Cheers!

 

[liteglow]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

i have tryed to adjust the pot up and down..
When i adjust it UP, nothing happend !
When i adjust it DOWN, the laser dims !

So my glp have a controll board that is "locked" at 150mW ?
If it`s possible to swap some resistos, there will be a hard time to figure out with one................

 

[sharkeeper]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

Did you measure the LD current when changing the position of the pot slider?

Cheers!

 

[kongfuchicken]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

Be carefull not to fry the laser, shift!
The pila has a soft start circuit; the voltage will be 3.7V fresh from the charger and will climb into the 4.2V range after a small period of time under load.
That should explain the boost in power but it's not exactly good news for the lifetime of the diode.

 

[Shiftlock]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

Liteglow and others who have disassembeled the new-style PGL-III - What was the disassembly process? I believe you have the non-FDA approved new style, which I think is easier to take apart than the ones I'm used to, but I would love to know how yours comes apart. Please give as much detail as possible.

 

[liteglow]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

i did screw off the cooling ribbs first..
Then there was a TINY screw under the power button (up side down of the glp) When i did screw that apart the mount for the Chrystals did fall out !
Then i remowe the button (drag it up) then the driwer board fall out /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The pump diode is stuck to the chrystan assembly, and the pump diode wires is stuck to the driwer board !

yep.. was no problem remove the parts..

 

[Shiftlock]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

On the FDA approved model, the heatsink fins don't screw off (at least, I can't get them to). The entire unit appears to be one solid piece. I wish it was that easy to get mine apart!

 

[liteglow]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

dont be a girl when u try to screw off the cooling ribbs!!
Use power !!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif heh

 

[LaserMod]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

Is yours FDA Approved Liteglow? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[liteglow]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

[ QUOTE ]
LaserModifier said:
Is yours FDA Approved Liteglow? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

How can i know ?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

There is a KEY that i must have inserted to make it work (at the end cap) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif so maybe ?

 

[LaserMod]

Re: Crazy power from modified PGL-III\'s.

I'm not too sure myself - does it mean it comes with a certificate or possibly it mentions FDA cert on the aperture label - the leadlights do.