Ongoing purchase for Sony 16X dvd diodes

Yes, lmao Im a noob, sadly.

Im just wondering, I really wanna get this minimag project right. Its my first time with lasers.

If you want to get it right, you won't use a minimag

--DDL

agreed. Look in experiments and mods for how to build a decent regulator circuit or in buy sell trade to buy a premade one.

Well, thing is, I just spent the last of my money on the laser diode.

Im 14...so its kinda hard to make money.

I heard if you use used batterys it can help?

Thanks.

SenKat said:

OKC-Kat...you are correct, AND I think lots of folks forget their roots on here sometimes...Everyone starts SOMEWHERE !

Click to expand...

Yeah, this is true and anyone that comes here should start by reading. Although I should have pointed him to the Experiments section..

Kaspar389 said:

Well, thing is, I just spent the last of my money on the laser diode.

Im 14...so its kinda hard to make money.

I heard if you use used batterys it can help?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

I despise that video, but in a way it is good as it has brought many people here, and they can now learn the right way to do things as well as many other things including safety.

Well at the bare minimum you can get by using a resistor and capacitor. However by the time you buy those parts, you are on your way to building Daedal's circuit for a cost of well under $10.00. For new people, I highly recommend this as you will learn a little about electronics, and will be less likely to damage your diode as the circuit is the best for protecting it. The parts are cheap too. Alternatively you may buy the circuit prebuilt from Daedal for $25.00.

The most important item to have if you plan on doing any burning is protective eye wear. A pair pf wicked lasershades will run you $60.00 shipped.

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Red_650nm_LaserShades-49-11.html

Your total cost for everything needed to get started properly is less than $100.00. This includes the tools you need if you don't already have them. Thinks like a soldering iron, solder, multimeter, small pair of wire cutters........

I suggest asking your parents for help getting the money. Maybe they have some chores you can do or something.

Well, I just wanna play around with a laser, not really get into it and spend more than like...10 dollars.

I might be able to get a resistor and a capitator.

Can you please tell me how to install them, and what they do?


BTW, my parents think its kinda dumb to spend money on a laser...

Sorry

Mine arrived today!
Put me down for 2 more!

I just gutted an Aixiz module and pulled out the diode & driver out of the housing. When I light the diode it projects a funky bar/line just a few centimeters away from something. I see now why the Aixiz laser wasn't quite a perfect dot when focused. Is this normal with all laser diodes, and do the GB diodes do this too?

Kaspar389: I'm only 15. I still (just) managed to scrape up enough money for 2 aixiz's and 2 senkat diodes. If you have ANY knowledge / experience with electronics, a regulator should cost about $7 and you can buy all the parts from a decent electronics shop.
I beg of you, DO NOT use this great LD without a driver or all your money wil be wasted.
You in the US, btw?

Skram0: Yes that is normal. It's to do with the laser device itself being bar shaped. Almost any laser dot (try 5mw reds) will look like a bar with a little edging if you look close enough. As far as I know though, this only applies for solid state (DPSS) lasers. Full size ones have a full dot (I think).

Kaspar389 said:

Well, I just wanna play around with a laser, not really get into it and spend more than like...10 dollars.

Click to expand...

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you are avoiding the advice everyone is giving you. You seem to be determined to plug the diode directly into a minimag, and then "play around" with it. While it is very doubtful the diode will last long with no regulation, there is still the safety issue.

We all like to play around with our lasers, but all of us read about safety and take it very seriously. Are you aware that one blast into your eye from the laser, or a reflection from the laser, could very will permanently damage your vision? This is why I recommended you get protective eye wear. Yes, it does cost money, but your eyes are priceless. Now if you don't plan on burning stuff or lighting matches, and are only interested in looking at the beam, then you can get by without them, but you still need to be careful where you point the beam.

All the information you need is in the Experiments and Modifications section of this forum. And you might want to read through the Safety section of this forum. Take your time and read, then decide if getting a diode is a good decision.

I understand what you mean.

I really wouldnt like to spend more than like..10 more dollars on this whole project. I would like it to be compact also.


No offence or anything, im not that into lasers, I just want one to fool around with, and plus, i would only use it outdoors, and places with no places to reflect.

Please, dont worry about my safety, but please point me to a link where I could make the LD last longer, without carring a driver( i think thats what that thing is, the one for 25 dollar) around.

-Thanks

Dude look in the Mods section Dorcy mini mods work good.

Kaspar389 said:

I understand what you mean.

I really wouldnt like to spend more than like..10 more dollars on this whole project. I would like it to be compact also.

No offence or anything, im not that into lasers, I just want one to fool around with, and plus, i would only use it outdoors, and places with no places to reflect.

Please, dont worry about my safety, but please point me to a link where I could make the LD last longer, without carring a driver( i think thats what that thing is, the one for 25 dollar) around.

-Thanks

Click to expand...

I take no offense....but I am concerned about the safety of others vision, especially new comers to this forum, and I have a very good reason for it. We all do.

Having said that you will need access to a soldering iron or maybe you have a friend that has one and knows how to solder?

The resistor is put in series with the diode. I would recommend a 2 ohm .5 watt resistor if you are going to be using a minimag with two cells. The electrolytic capacitor goes across the diode. The recommend value is a 47uf 16 volt capacitor. The capacitor will be marked with the negative side. The negative side of the capacitor gets soldered to the negative side of the diode, and the positive side of the capacitor to the positive side of the diode.

+-------------resistor--------------+ diode.
+ l
l
---------------capacitor-----
l
- l
- ------------------------------------- diode

This will provide some protection.

I am very excited to receive my diodes today from GB #3, but when I connect the first one to the Dorcy Mini the light was dime much like the 5mW Aixiz diode.  :-? The second diode was very bright, anyone knows what is wrong with my first diode.  :

Kaspar389 said:

i would only use it outdoors, and places with no places to reflect.

Click to expand...

Don't be startin no forest fires.. We got enough of them in CA at the moment..