O-Like Driver help

Hi im currently trying to build a bluray laser and have finaly aquired all the parts. but the driver has no polarity markings. also if the positive of the battery is touching the case does that mean i solder the case gnd pin to the posative pin? i have searched the forum but cant seem to find any help. Thanks. oh this it the driver 405nm blu-ray diode driver£­>405nm blue-violet laser£­>Laser&lighting products£­>www.0-like.com
thanks again.

This driver is a case positive like more pen style pointers. So to answer your question.. Yes

Don't forget to set your current (mA) with your test load before you hook up the laser diode. Speaking of that which diode did you purchase? I would assume a PHR-803T.

-Mike

thanks, its a diode i got off ebay which says its 150mw, max current ~110ma and max output ~150mw. i dont actually have the parts to test the ma but i was going to use it on min setting untill i get the diodes. i assume i can test the current with the laser diode installed.

neil said:

thanks, its a diode i got off ebay which says its 150mw, max current ~110ma and max output ~150mw. i dont actually have the parts to test the ma but i was going to use it on min setting untill i get the diodes. i assume i can test the current with the laser diode installed.

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It is possibly a Nichia diode which iirc is about the lesser equiv of our PHR-803T. Although I am not 100% sure how to tell them apart visually. I would suggest that you do not hook up that diode until you set the current with a test load! If that pot is not a single turn (it turns to infinity) you have no idea where the current will land. Also, you can only set/test the current with a test load. Testing it with the diode hooked up will give an inaccurate reading because your multimeter needs the full load and not a load split between it and the diode. Hope that helps

-Mike

EDIT:
Welcome to the forum! If this is your first laser, welcome to your new addiction!

thanks. thats a big help. looks like i wil now wait until i get a dummy load. becuse im quite good at getting tu excited nd messing things up lol.

neil said:

thanks. thats a big help. looks like i wil now wait until i get a dummy load. becuse im quite good at getting tu excited nd messing things up lol.

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You can build it at radioshack for a couple dollars! This is one hobby that you really need to start slow and doublecheck everything. I have toasted a couple PHR-803T's because I was working too fast and made simple errors. Now a $8 diode isn't a big deal but imagine ruining a 8x diode ($200) because you were in a hurry! Take your time Neil, and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor so much more.

-Mike

I can't get my phr or DT-8011 violets to work on this driver, I can guarantee I am doing something wrong, I think I need a total wiring diagram for dummies. I tried different pins and stuff but I just can't get it to work. Guess I will continue to wait for my rkcstr, if I screw that one up I will go sulk in the corner.

Neil;

The Vcc on the board is the positive supply connection.

The spring is plainly marked GND for negative connection.

The Laser Diode + & - are on opposite sides of the driver.

If the current is 50 to 150 ma, you should be able to set the pot in the middle and try it for a second to see if it works.

LarryDFW

i haven't much succes with these driver, max current was 170 mA, i dunno if i must bypass a resistor to go to 500mA, otherwise, i burned one in smoke after that