Power Meter Calibration and Comparison

Actually no I don't have any spares. Lava still hasn't shipped me the flexdrives for the grooves. I do have 2 drives I could use for this but that's it.

I'm on the Uk with a Laserbee and would be prepared to help.

Kenom said:

Actually no I don't have any spares.  Lava still hasn't shipped me the flexdrives for the grooves.  I do have 2 drives I could use for this but that's it.

Click to expand...

Well, I for one am good with this Kenom. The tripod can probably be left out, for ease of shipping. But either way. Please give a little more detail on your lasers... Not all of us are familiar with this Dorcy build. Best battery set up, etc...

Then figure out a total build cost for the two lasers. Blu-ray and red as well right? This is a great idea, so I say lets go!

I think that if we are going to do the U.S. group, the shipping will pretty much be the same.
We should all agree to ship First Class with an agreed upon insurance amount. I'm sure the shipping will be $10 bucks or less for just the two small lasers...
Jay

One thing that hasn't been discussed is temperature. Efficiency/output power will vary with temperature enough so that it wouldn't be good for more than estimating things. This may be asking a bit much, but is there any sharp/bored EE here who'd be willing to make a thermally regulating TEC setup/driver that'll regulate temp to a very tight tolerance? I could contribute a TEC if needed.

If you guys get all the details worked out I wouldn't mind try it out too, but mostly to make sure the source laser is actually performing to spec .


BTW, what type of sensor did you get electron? I'd guess a PS19 or PS19Q, am I right?

there are no rules about importing lasers into canada.

jayrob said:

Please give a little more detail on your lasers... Not all of us are familiar with this Dorcy build. Best battery set up, etc...

Click to expand...

Please . . . Allow me . . . .BEHOLD . . . .My inspiration

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1209492477/2#2

Peace,
dave

pseudonomen137 said:

One thing that hasn't been discussed is temperature. Efficiency/output power will vary with temperature enough so that it wouldn't be good for more than estimating things. This may be asking a bit much, but is there any sharp/bored EE here who'd be willing to make a thermally regulating TEC setup/driver that'll regulate temp to a very tight tolerance? I could contribute a TEC if needed.

If you guys get all the details worked out I wouldn't mind try it out too, but mostly to make sure the source laser is actually performing to spec  .


BTW, what type of sensor did you get electron? I'd guess a PS19 or PS19Q, am I right?  

Click to expand...

pseudo, do you think that even small temperature differences would matter much? I mean, if every body knew to let the lasers sit at room temp. for an hour before testing, it would probably be close enough wouldn't you think?
Jay

I have no problem with choosing the flexdrive over mine... it certainly has better efficiency, but I don't think there should be a worry about the current regulation. I just figured I'd offer since I had basically had everything ready-to-go.

Anyway, I'd still be interested in getting whatever option we go with so I can calibrate my meter

daguin said:

[quote author=jayrob link=1217029972/20#34 date=1217191368] Please give a little more detail on your lasers... Not all of us are familiar with this Dorcy build. Best battery set up, etc...

Click to expand...

Please . . . Allow me . . . .BEHOLD . . . .My inspiration

http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1209492477/2#2

Peace,
dave[/quote]

Thanks for the link Dave! I see only one AAA battery alongside the laser. I guess a 3.6 volt 10440 battery supply would be in order for this host and a FlexDrive set up.

So that's another consideration. A more common battery supply, such as 3 X AAA might make more sense. Because not everybody has the 10440 batteries and a charger as well...
Jay

Pseudo are you referring to the heat of the laser or the heat of the room. Because the heat of the room has been taken into consideration. I would like to note that the dorcy at 100mw in either the bluray or red since it has a heatsink attached to the aixiz module makes for cooler operation of the laser and with such low power there is very little heat generated by either laser diode. I've ran one of my dorcy's at 100mw for 24 hours straight and saw no drop in output power. I'll provide a little bit more detailed information on the dorcy for those not familiar with them.


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj105/kenkassidy/DSC00109.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj105/kenkassidy/DSC00110.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj105/kenkassidy/DSC00108.jpg

The driver is housed in the battery compartment which takes a single cr123. voltage is then sent through the spring and casing to the luxeon star board where the diode is physically mounted to the star by soldering to connections. The heatsink is then spaced perfectly inside the head with the black rings. it's a very efficient design. Not as good as the Krytons. would be nice to be able to use those but the cost might be prohibitive. (and too easy for someone to think they can keep it)

We all know the costs of the laser diodes and modules as well as the flexdrive. laser diode $20 for a red stonetek and $25 for a bluray 803t. Modules are $5 (roughly) The dorcy flashlight is $20 (I'm open to cheaper hosts.) for something that includes a heatsink as well as all the requisites we need for this the dorcy is about as cheap as your going to get. We could use a mxdl with a jayrob heatsink but again we're spendin a bit of money.

Jay, the AAA battery was for size comparison as it takes a cr123 and would work as well with a rcr123.

Current regulation for this is CRUCIAL.  I've got a 300mw with a fusion drive and it's constantly dropping in power as the batteries sag.  Unlike the lava drive which stays CONSTANTLY at the needed output.

Now obviously the best thing to do is to get a laser built that utilizes the photodiode to keep regulation constant so taht the output never changes. Way more than I can do though

Oh... a single CR123. That's a good common battery! I guess you have the AAA battery in the picture just for size comparison? Seeing that AAA battery in the picture threw me off a little, because I am not familiar with the host...
Jay


We must have been typing at the same time....

P.S. If you put FlexDrives in those Dorcy's, the CR123 would be perfect for good current regulation! Is that doable?

You bet.

Kenom said:

You bet.

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Probably two different lasers though. Not the interchangeable head correct?
Jay

correct. You wouldn't be able to keep both lasers in regulation with one driver.

Well, I'm in...

I like your build there. Fit with FlexDrives, they will be very nice lasers to do this comparison with. Small and good for shipping too!

I personally think that it would only be right, if you gave us the total for not only the parts, but of course your time. We need a total for the two builds @ your selling price. (IMO) Then we just need to figure out what to do with the lasers afterwards. Maybe sell them and donate to LPF? Any ideas?

If other U.S. group participants agree, chime in to get on the official U.S. list!
Jay