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10mw focusable - enough to turn off street lights? (Answer:No)

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montymintypie

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I'm new to lasers, and currently have a <5mW red (doesn't everyone...:whistle:) and a 10mW focusable blue from Olike.

I don't ever really want to burn stuff, but I want a couple of cool things, visible beams etc, so I'm getting the 30mW green one with the mirror for cool patterns and some star caps, but that's another story...

The thing I'm wondering though, is my 10mW powerful enough to turn off street lights? Of course I'm not going to make it a regular event, maybe just once or twice to say "Wow that's cool" then get bored of it. I might see if I can get the 50mW version of the green spirograph thingamagic if it can turn off the lights (and the blue one can't), I really just want to be able to do a couple of cool things to show friends.

Basically, I don't want to go and spend 10 minutes trying to turn it off and thinking I'm doing something wrong.:yh:

Thanks in advance!
 
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TTerbo

TTerbo

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Re: 10mw focusable - enough to turn off street lights?

short and easy answer.....No
it wont be able to turn of streetlights
cheers
 
BlueMeanie445

BlueMeanie445

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The answer is actually YES. It can be done with a 5mW red but you have to get the sensor right on.

It has been done by many with low power reds and even He/Ne tubes. Trick is, you have to find the direction the sensor is facing.

Have fun!!
 
Cyparagon

Cyparagon

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There's only one way to find out. I've done it with a 5mW green, so it's certainly possible.
 
Fonduman

Fonduman

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i tried it, but couldnt find the sensor, or maybe its just a different system here.
 
BlueMeanie445

BlueMeanie445

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The sensors either face the direction that the sun rises or sets. If I remember correctly most sensors face the south west.

You should be able to see a black 'dot' on a small round piece that sticks out from the top of the light. Find a light that you can see the dot during the day, and at night with a steady hand, hit the same area.

I have personally done this with a dollar store red, as well as other low power lasers. just have to find the spot ;)
 
qumefox

qumefox

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New LED streetlights usually have the sensor on the very top facing up. On those there's really no way to hit it with a laser from the ground.
 
TTerbo

TTerbo

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A 10mW red is not bright enough to combat the oposing light from the bulb ....actually if you can get it from an exact angle then i guess you could. just have a try
 
qumefox

qumefox

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TTerbo said:
A 10mW red is not bright enough to combat the oposing light from the bulb ....actually if you can get it from an exact angle then i guess you could. just have a try
Click to expand...

The ambient light sensors can't see the light from the lamp itself.. Otherwise streetlights would turn themselves off as soon as they came on. heh.
 
TTerbo

TTerbo

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i know.........but unless you are in an elevated position over the lamp i dont see how 10mW is going to cut it. if you are shining it from the street u on an angle.............thats a whole new story
 
qumefox

qumefox

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On most older lights the sensor is mounted in a plastic cylinder/dome that sticks up on top of the light, and has a photodetector on one side. With these types you can usually hit the sensor from the ground with a beam, providing you know which side of the cylinder/dome the photodetector is actually on.

I know the one beside my house, I can make turn off with a normal incandescent maglite (granted it's a 6 D cell maglite.. doubles as a good club too. :D )
 
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TTerbo

TTerbo

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i know where the sensor is.........im just not going tobelieve it till i see it :)
 
qumefox

qumefox

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TTerbo said:
i know where the sensor is.........im just not going tobelieve it till i see it :)
Click to expand...

Probably depends on the sensitivity of the sensor I would guess as well. The one outside here gets turned off by lightning flashes all the damn time. I'll try it tonight with one of the crappy 5mw red cat toys I have here at the house. I'm not going to go to work today just to get something stronger.
 
charliebruce

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Fonduman said:
i tried it, but couldnt find the sensor, or maybe its just a different system here.
Click to expand...

The ones over here don't trip even with 150mW green, even when hit from above (a window). The ones on my street are new and very bright, but seem to be completely impervious to laser light, even if the entire dome is lit up green. Not sure how or why though.

Solution: 445nm, and lots of it... :eg: (not really)
 
M

montymintypie

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Well that was a lot more posts than I was initially expecting :yh:

I'll give it a go, I just checked the lights and they seem to have a nubbin on them, I'll give it a go tonight and report back on the results :yh:
 
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