What to buy for cheap first-time diy blue laser?

I'm new at this forum, and I found it after trying to do some pot mods on a couple of green lasers I bought in china. After looking through this forum though, I'd really like to build (or buy from someone/where) a burning Blue/Violet laser.

My budget is quite limited to around $20~30. I was just wondering if the following items are enough to have a fully functioning burning laser?

1. Pre-installed 803T diode in Aixis module:
PHR-803T Diode In Aixiz Focusing Module [PHR-803T in module] - $14.99 : Dark Lasers, The one-stop shop for all your DIY laser needs!

2. RKCSTR Micro driver V3:
RKCSTR Micro Driver V3 Adjustable Pre-Assembled [RKCSTR V3] - $13.00 : Dark Lasers, The one-stop shop for all your DIY laser needs!

Are just these two items enough for a fully functioning laser? Oh and is Dark Lasers a good trusted dealer?

Additionally, I don't really like the RKCSTR driver. Its a bit pricey (at $13) and it requires more than 2 AAA batteries. Aren't there any cheap drivers that only requires 2 AAAs like the ones used in those cheap chinese green laser pointers?

First off hello and welcome to the forum!

That is basically all you need to make a fully working laser.. you will also need batteries and charger, solder, soldering iron, wires and a project box.

Secondly $13 is basically the cheapest price for a reliable constant current driver. You could opt for something like a rayfoss blu-ray driver.. but these have been proven very poor choice of driver. They are around $6 but they have up to 0.9v spikes which is obviously not want you want out of a driver (can be fixed by adding a SMD cap on the output leads)

In regards to the AAA batteries.. for a BR (blu-ray) build with a rkcstr driver yes you will need more then 2 AAA but this is a linear driver. If you want to use 2 AAA or AA batteries you will need a buck/boost driver like the flexdrive V4 by drlava. But this is $27 for a preset current driver. I would highly reccommend a flexdrive v4 for your first build, at $27 you are really paying for reliability and quality. They are tiny and can be incorperated into most builds.

BTW yes darkarmyofone is a very respected member here and his store darklasers is great.. you might want to shop around tho to see if there are any better prices. Try modwerx, high tech deals ect..

hope that helped -Adrian

to the Forum...

The PHR803T Laser Diode is a 405nm VIOLET LD... It is NOT Blue...

You could build your own DIY DDL Linear Laser Driver for a lot less money
but you will need some basic Electronics and Soldering skills..

The DIY DDL Driver circuit and parts required can be found all over
the Forum.
All you need to do is read and do a little research on your own...


Jerry

The DDL driver is a good alternative for a linear driver. If you use an LM1117, this can be made so small it will fit inside the aixiz module. I've even built one right on the legs of the diode with no pc board used! This type of linear driver requires a voltage in excess of the LD voltage drop plus about 2V for regulator overhead, so for a bluray this would be roughly 5.5 + 2 = 7.5V minimum to operate. You can get away with 2 lithium cells fully charged = 8.4V. If you use 10440 battery (unprotected), check voltage occasionally, or if laser seems "dimmer" a little bit, so you don't over discharge the batteries. I made a bluray from a dead green pen using LM1117 and 2 x 10440.

The cheap green lasers can run on 3V (2 x AAA) because the IR drive diode in them is a very low voltage laser diode. An IR LD may only drop 2.2V where a bluray LD will drop 5.5V, so to run bluray off 2 x AAA, you need more complex and expensive boost driver such as lavadrive in order to raise the voltage so the diode can work at the desired current.

hey guys im new in building lasers, could any1 help me? i built a driver but my 25ohm pot deosnt work =[ i posted a video on youtube : YouTube - Need help on Blu ray laser diode the schematic i used is in a different video. but u can find the link to the different video in my description. hope to hear from you guys!

You will need to build yourself a Dummy Test Load using 6 1n400X rectifier
Diodes and a 1 Ohm resistor to mimic the load characteristics of your 405nm
Laser Diode...

Go here to read more and get a better understanding of what you need..
and how to build and use a Test Load...

It can be done - Laser driver


Jerry

thnx, but i dunt completely understand the purpose for the dummy load, after i make it, and test the current, what should i do next?

HSPrzepa said:

thnx, but i dunt completely understand the purpose for the dummy load, after i make it, and test the current, what should i do next?

Click to expand...

You use the dummy load to calibrate your driver. Hook up the dummy load to the terminals of your DDL driver and measure the current flowing through your test load. While measuring the current, adjust the potentiometer on the driver to set your desired current level (90-120ma for PHRs). Once you have your current set, disconnect the power, remove the dummy load, discharge the output capacitor then hook up your PHR Module. Apply power to the circuit and you should have a fully functional laser.

Thanks soo much guys! i really appreciate it!

hey lasersbee, i cant find the 1 ohm reisitors anywhere near me, and i heard your giving them away as long as we pay for shipping right? its the only part im missing and i dunt have a paypal account, is there any other way i could get them?