DX Vinet: High power 658nm Mod Dual-Mode

[dr_lava]

While a few people were working on the 'Elly' mods that LFP first demonstrated, was tackling a different beast - the DX Vinet. Here are the features:

Water-resistant (dunkable)
Dual-mode 100mW burn, 10mW presentation
Powered on 3V CR123 battery
Glass front lens
Integrated heatsinking of the diode

The reflector has to be removed from the front by prying, as the front finned body piece is screwed and glued on to the body of the light. Fom there, you have to uncrew the light fixture out with pin spanners, remove the LED, and drill a hole into the light fixture for the laser case. Then mount the laser case with arctic silver heatsink epoxy.

Pop the rear circuit board out of the light fixture and solder a SMD 2uF cap across the leads, connect the power to the diode, and re-assemble and insert the light fixture.

Now remove the tailcap switch and using pin spanners unscrew the switch holder ring. Remove the switch circuit board and desolder the left of the row of three switch legs. route a 1 Ohm resistor from this leg to the solder point of the resistor next to it. Now replace the built-in resistor with a 15 Ohm resistor and re-assemble the switch tailcap.

Add a CR123 3V battery and you're done! Be sure not to reverse the battery polarity!

 

[Ashton]

Awesome work, doc. 1 question, though, can the driver handle a higher-output diode? such as a 200mw or 300mw? (I know this will kill the batteries, but still...)

 

[jtice]

Very nice setup :thumbsup:
Looks nice, and the dual mode makes it alot more usable in the real world.

~John

 

[dr_lava]

Ashton, there is no driver to speak of, which makes this mod easier and more repeatable than the mods with drivers that have outputs all over the place. That said, yes, this setup could drive any 3V-3.6V laser depending on the batteries you chose. Using a lithium battery means the power output remains fairly constant through the life of the battery, and as the current draw is only 200mA, the batteries last a lot longer than in the original LED application.

 

[liveforphysics]

Great Job Dr.Lava!!

I wanted to use an Elly driver board in that case, but I ended up just crushing one trying to unscrew the upper portion of the head They are a much more slim and light package than an Elly.

Looks great!
Keep up the good work!

-Luke

 

[2xTrinity]

Awesome work, doc. 1 question, though, can the driver handle a higher-output diode? such as a 200mw or 300mw? (I know this will kill the batteries, but still...)

How much current does a 200mW diode draw, around 1A? If so, that's about what the original Vinet draws with a Cree in it (I have one of these in my bag -- nice throw and compact) Certainly the Lithium will hold up much, much better than a voltage-boosted AA Cell, like the Elly. If you were to go to run multiple amps of current though, I'd go for one of the 18650 based DX/Kaidomain lights as a host for improved runtime and improved heatsinking.

 

[COMMANDR]

Super job dr_lava!!! I am almost done with the Taskforce laser mod and will post pic's soon.

Gary

 

[Bimmerboy]

How cool is that! Love the eye of HAL look in the first shot too (What seems to be the trouble Dave?... lol). Dual mode, simple circuit, etc. Excellent!

 

[SenKat]

Sweet design ! Flawless work, as always !

 

[stevetexas]

Looks great - PM sent. I wish I had some of your electronics expertise but I'm still learning. Steve

 

[X_Marine]

Does lQQk saweet.. only thing I see missing is the warning sticker of which I may have an extra..
(ThanX Greg)..

X.

 

[allthatwhichis]

:wow: :bow:

Very nice! You're just barely pushin that diode huh?

 

[dr_lava]

Yeah, I do need warning labels, and would print some out, but can't find the correct <200mW 658nm radiation warning on the label pictures. Any help apreciated there.

allthat, the uncoated glass causes some reflection losses, about 15%, so they're being pushed respectably.

BTW, I just bought more duracell 'ultra' CR123 batteries at walgreens. WHen compared to my old duracells, these have a black ring around the + metal bump, and they have 2 vent holes in the bump, the older battery has 3. Also, the newer batteries seem to perform poorly compared to the old battery. Any others notice this?
The new batteries also had a surface charge of 3.2V until they were used for a few seconds, then they went down to 3.01V. is this normal? I'm not a regular user of this type of battery.

 

[X_Marine]

Would AW's rechargeable be a possible solution or is there some reason you aren't using them. Not sure on you circuit as to V or A's but I'm sure you could adjust to your liking.

I'm still waiting on a little video also..

ThanX
X.

 

[SenKat]

Doc - you've got labels coming !!

 

[Meduza]

I have just made one for myself, tough i used 0.6ohm resistance on high and 6ohm on "low"

 

[Hemlock Mike]

Meduza --


OH Yeh ---- How much mA on each step ?? That should be a torch !!

Mike

 

[dr_lava]

Would AW's rechargeable be a possible solution or is there some reason you aren't using them. Not sure on you circuit as to V or A's but I'm sure you could adjust to your liking.

I'm still waiting on a little video also..

ThanX
X.

You have to watch that the rechargeable is exactly the 3V that the prime lithiums have, or you risk blowing it. Sorry, I don't have time for a vid, not sure what I would even do...

Thanks to SenKat the three that bought the premade ones have labels to apply, too. Thanks SenKat!

Remember, for the built-in resistor, only use 3V prime lithiums.

 

[SenKat]

Hey - no problem, Doc ! Sorry it took me so long to get the labels to you - normally I am a little bit more on the ball than that ! Lots on my plate recently - still haven't even cleaned up my workshop yet....

 

[SenKat]

Hey Doc - STELLAR work on the Vinet ! It is simply incredible !!! I like the way you blacked out the glass lense, too - very nicely done. I cannot wait to see your next project !