488nm Sharp Solarforce Build

Hi guys, I've been wanting to build something in one of these "[U]Solarforce L2T S.S. Edition[/U]" hosts for a couple of years now, but I've never had the right combination of diode power & wavelength to satisfy what I thought this finished build should look like, till now. :yh:

A while back, I got lucky enough purchase this low wavelength Sharp (GH04850B2G) diode from Paul 1598419.
He spectro'd it at 487nm, so I feel pretty confident that at my fairly conservative setting of 230mA, it's sitting at around 488nm, using Pauls calculations of approximately 1nm gain per 100mW.

Not a lot more to say, as there have been quite a few of these (+,-) 488nm diodes used in builds recently.
So, without any further rambling, here are the particulars of my Sharp 488nm build. :yh:


Components Used For This Build:

• Solarforce L2T Stainless Steel Edition Host.
• Sharp GH04850B2G Diode @487nm (Paul1598419).
• 12mm Copper Module (DTR).
• "Pico" Driver set at 230mA (Astralist).
• Custom Focus Adapter, and Copper Heatsink.
• (1) 18650 4..3V Li-Ion Battery.

Dimensions & Weight:

• Length = 147.5mm (5.8")
• Diameter = 32mm (1.25") Head, 25mm (1.0") Body
• Weight w/Battery = 367g (13.0 oz)
• Weight w/o Battery = 320g (11.28 oz)
• Weight of Copper Heatsink = 124g (4.37 oz)

Measured Power Output:

• 3 Element Lens = 106mW
• G-2 Lens = 131mW

Now for some "in progress" build photos followed by some beautiful 488nm Photons! :cool:

Great packaging, a nice sturdy box, with matching sleeve! :yh:


An exploded view of all of the pieces that came in the Solarforce D.I.Y. flashlight kit.


A couple of pics showing the overall high quality of the Solarforce products.

Front end & battery tube. Notice the high quality threads, heavy duty "O" rings, and thick walled construction throughout.


Tailcap w/heavy gold plated spring and nice screw in removable switch.


Initial turning of the 1/4 + pound copper heatsink. ;)


Finished H.S., pre polish.


All shined up and ready to be filled up with 488nm photons! :yh:


Module, heatsink and battery board all coming together.


First light, .....it lives!


Talk about a fingerprint magnet! :eek:












Beam through a fan grating.


Heavy fog, swirls of 488nm!


Here are two photos of patterns made through some wavy glass that I got from Hakzaw in one of his "care" packages.






That's it for now, thank you all for making it this far, also a special thanks to Paul for allowing me to purchase this beautiful wavelength diode from him! :yh:

:thanks: