IsaacT
0
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,947
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Hello everyone!!!
In honor of my 1000th post here at LPF I decided to build my first PHR-805T DIY Laser! I didn't want my 1000th post to be "That's pretty awesome dude, nice!" or "Spam alert" lol :crackup:
Anyway, so here it goes:
I had a couple of goals with this laser that I had never been able to accomplish in the past.
1. Wall power source. I am tired of unscrewing my project boxes to change out 9V Batteries! :crackup:
2. A lower voltage in to reduce heat and thereby increase runtimes.
3. A clean project box...due to a learning curve, it has taken me awhile to get a technique down for cutting holes in project boxes that don't look botched.
Tackling the first two issues was actually as easy as hanging out at Fry's for a bit and looking at every plug they had. I eventually found a AC/DC Adaptor with an adjustable voltage output that was perfect! You can see it here beside my new laser(well, the back of it anyways):
It has six possible voltage outputs:
3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 12
and is rated for 500mA draw. PERFECT for my plans :eg:
Tackling number 3 on my goals was simply an exercise in patience, so once I had sourced all the parts(I'll say where for everything at the end along with the costs) I set about creating the masterpiece(well...thats a bit much but you get the jist of what I mean :na: ).
I used my dremel tool and a small drill bit to make all the holes; meaning I had to very slowly widen them and make sure not to mess up :crackup: After about 30-40 minutes I had all the holes right where I wanted them and then I set about wiring it all up.
At this point I should note that LPF refused to work on my computer and I was required to do unconventional research on electronics and wiring and voltage regulators and even had to use an LED to test for the polarity off of the Wall Adaptor. While I did not appreciate the inconvenience, I think it has improved my understanding of electronics and wirings in general leading me to appreciate the experience.
Wiring took awhile, and I ran out of heat shrink tubing and had to resort to black electrical tape, but my soldering skills are improving and I feel very confident about all of my solder joints :beer:
Here are a few pics of the innards....I tend to use a lot of wire simply because I am afraid of not using enough, which is why the wiring does the little loopty loops you can see here....don't judge me prease? :angel:
The Driver and Heatsink:
Where the wall wart connects:
Arial View of all of it? Maybe?
So I think the wiring turned out very well and I am extremely happy with it. Before closing it up I ran it for a few minutes and observed how the LM317T heated up and I was surprised: it did extremely well! I think a combination of less forward voltage, lower current(I am used to project boxing 660nm 250mA's, and this is only 125mA's), and the addition of the Heatsink(So sue me! I don't heatsink everything I own) was what helped in this endeavor :yh:
Here are some pictures of the completed laser, I may need to touch up some parts of the body with black paint and I really really really want to add some laser warning stickers specific to the wavelength and power but for now it will do nicely I think.
So as it turns out, I keep underestimating the photonic energy of these lower wavelength lasers, and of course when I put my hand in front of the beam it started to burn(sharp sensation, no smoke). However I also wonder if maybe I got a more efficient PHR-805T than many because I am not used to these powers transmitting so much heat. It actually lights matches extremely fast when focused(the video below it took awhile but mainly because I was having trouble keeping it on the beam and the focus wasn't quite there :undecided: ). I would be very interested in getting it LPM'd by someone but I fear shipping would be more than I would feel like paying :crackup: .
Anyway, lastly here is a short burning vid....my sister was complaining about all the burnt matches smelling bad so I didn't do a ton, also her friend had her baby at her house while they were hanging out so I didn't want to pop any balloons. Enjoy:
I hope yall enjoy this thread as much as I enjoyed making it(doubtful, but may the odds be ever in your favor! :na: )
Please critique the hell out of it as always!
-Isaac
PS!!!! Spyrorocks I avoided putting in the ground screw this time so you don't have to make a thread about it...btw I thought that thread was absolutely hilarious!!!! :crackup:
Anyway, cheers :beer:
In honor of my 1000th post here at LPF I decided to build my first PHR-805T DIY Laser! I didn't want my 1000th post to be "That's pretty awesome dude, nice!" or "Spam alert" lol :crackup:
Anyway, so here it goes:
I had a couple of goals with this laser that I had never been able to accomplish in the past.
1. Wall power source. I am tired of unscrewing my project boxes to change out 9V Batteries! :crackup:
2. A lower voltage in to reduce heat and thereby increase runtimes.
3. A clean project box...due to a learning curve, it has taken me awhile to get a technique down for cutting holes in project boxes that don't look botched.
Tackling the first two issues was actually as easy as hanging out at Fry's for a bit and looking at every plug they had. I eventually found a AC/DC Adaptor with an adjustable voltage output that was perfect! You can see it here beside my new laser(well, the back of it anyways):
It has six possible voltage outputs:
3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 12
and is rated for 500mA draw. PERFECT for my plans :eg:
Tackling number 3 on my goals was simply an exercise in patience, so once I had sourced all the parts(I'll say where for everything at the end along with the costs) I set about creating the masterpiece(well...thats a bit much but you get the jist of what I mean :na: ).
I used my dremel tool and a small drill bit to make all the holes; meaning I had to very slowly widen them and make sure not to mess up :crackup: After about 30-40 minutes I had all the holes right where I wanted them and then I set about wiring it all up.
At this point I should note that LPF refused to work on my computer and I was required to do unconventional research on electronics and wiring and voltage regulators and even had to use an LED to test for the polarity off of the Wall Adaptor. While I did not appreciate the inconvenience, I think it has improved my understanding of electronics and wirings in general leading me to appreciate the experience.
Wiring took awhile, and I ran out of heat shrink tubing and had to resort to black electrical tape, but my soldering skills are improving and I feel very confident about all of my solder joints :beer:
Here are a few pics of the innards....I tend to use a lot of wire simply because I am afraid of not using enough, which is why the wiring does the little loopty loops you can see here....don't judge me prease? :angel:
The Driver and Heatsink:
Where the wall wart connects:
Arial View of all of it? Maybe?
So I think the wiring turned out very well and I am extremely happy with it. Before closing it up I ran it for a few minutes and observed how the LM317T heated up and I was surprised: it did extremely well! I think a combination of less forward voltage, lower current(I am used to project boxing 660nm 250mA's, and this is only 125mA's), and the addition of the Heatsink(So sue me! I don't heatsink everything I own) was what helped in this endeavor :yh:
Here are some pictures of the completed laser, I may need to touch up some parts of the body with black paint and I really really really want to add some laser warning stickers specific to the wavelength and power but for now it will do nicely I think.
So as it turns out, I keep underestimating the photonic energy of these lower wavelength lasers, and of course when I put my hand in front of the beam it started to burn(sharp sensation, no smoke). However I also wonder if maybe I got a more efficient PHR-805T than many because I am not used to these powers transmitting so much heat. It actually lights matches extremely fast when focused(the video below it took awhile but mainly because I was having trouble keeping it on the beam and the focus wasn't quite there :undecided: ). I would be very interested in getting it LPM'd by someone but I fear shipping would be more than I would feel like paying :crackup: .
Anyway, lastly here is a short burning vid....my sister was complaining about all the burnt matches smelling bad so I didn't do a ton, also her friend had her baby at her house while they were hanging out so I didn't want to pop any balloons. Enjoy:
I hope yall enjoy this thread as much as I enjoyed making it(doubtful, but may the odds be ever in your favor! :na: )
Please critique the hell out of it as always!
-Isaac
PS!!!! Spyrorocks I avoided putting in the ground screw this time so you don't have to make a thread about it...btw I thought that thread was absolutely hilarious!!!! :crackup:
Anyway, cheers :beer:
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