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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Recommendations for a sub 50mW Blue laser.

E

Escher

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Hey folks - so the bug has bitten again - but this time I just want a low power toy to play with.

No interest in anything greater than 35-50mW... I just want to tinker around, not burn things.. I've been working on some Home audio projects and want to incorporate some nice blue light - maybe a simple lightshow or similar...

Looking for a diode or module that can be operated continuously... Budget is under $100... I'm happy to DIY if pointed in the right direction.

I have found some interesting low power green modules on ebay that state continuous use of over an hour for around $20... without power supply.

Thanks in advance for the help!

You all were most helpful last winter when I had my foray into ML Argon land - so I look forward to hearing from you..
 





Lotus_Darkrose

Lotus_Darkrose

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Well if you ran a 445nm "1W" diode at that low of a power, you would be looking at a very continuous duty cycle lol. There's people on here that have gotten these diodes running at very low powers so it is definitely doable.
 
bennett326

bennett326

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a single mode would be really cool and a nice round dot :D

but those diodes are a bit more expensive
 
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Sigurthr

Sigurthr

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I've got the Laserlands one and it is indeed VERY nice! It's my favorite diode laser in my collection, but that's mostly due to the wavelength.

It probably would not be suitable for his application right out of the box though... 45/15 (seconds) duty cycle! Though if you removed the module and driver from the host and placed it into a nice heatsink with a nice power supply... that could probably work!

There is this though: 12V 445nm-450nm 50mw Blue Ray Laser Dot Module w/ Driver out
 
Sigurthr

Sigurthr

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That may be true, but until I see the module the diode is mounted in... after having my 10mW 405nm die from lack of heat sinking, which was also in a NewWish host... I can't be sure what (if any!) heatsinking it has. I'd imagine 200mA is enough to heat a bare diode to it's degredation region if the run time is long enough.

If it has a heatsink then you're probably right, but I don't want to tell this chap to go and do it only to have it die in 5 minutes. And, I'm NOT going to marr mine up to give it a peak, haha.

Every single pointer Laserlands sells that is in a NewWish host is rated for 45/15. So, it could just be that none of them have heatsinks, or that the 45/15 is utter nonsense.
 
Cyparagon

Cyparagon

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Sigurthr said:
I'd imagine 200mA is enough to heat a bare diode to it's degredation region if the run time is long enough.
Click to expand...

I said draws 200mA. It's a boost driver, so there goes ~20% of the power. It's also a boost driver - 3V to 4V means a drop from 160 to 120mA, so the diode is getting 120mA tops. This means it is dissipating less than 0.4W of heat. Compare this with your typical LED flashlight, and you'll see there's no reason to put a duty cycle on it. I'll run mine for 10 minutes later today and tell you how hot the casing gets.
 
E

Escher

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What about this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Violet-Blue-405nm-150mW-Laser-DOT-Module-w-AC-Adapter-/180707431528?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a13009468#ht_1264wt_846

Its a 405nm (violet / blue) and above my spec'd mw rating(150mw), but I do have a set of safety glasses from when I used my ML Argon (Dragonlasers OD4 UV-green range)...

From what I have read here at the forum, I assume this does not use a driver board?

Could I buy a powersupply that is adjustable and thereby run the module at lower power?
 
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Ash

Ash

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Um. That laser is UV (dark purple) not blue.
That laser has a driver board, and the current is set on the driver,... an adjustable power supply will not do anything to the laser's output power.
 
E

Escher

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Haha. I'm Red green color blind, so to me it's just a different shade... It seems that the truly blue, 445, are a bit more expensive.. And I want to start small, ie inexpensive, and possibly DIY as I learn...

Thanks for the driver info... So I'd need a true diy if I want to control power output...
 
Cyparagon

Cyparagon

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Sigurthr said:
45/15 (seconds) duty cycle!
Click to expand...

I looked inside from the back, and there is a brass heatsink that is either glued or pressfit into the casing.
Bench power supply set at 3V and a clip to keep the button pressed:

SAM_2967.jpg


After 3 minutes:

IR_0099.jpg


After 7 minutes:

IR_0100.jpg


After 15 minutes:

IR_0101.jpg


45 second duty-cycle my ass. :D

It seems more dangerous to run it at all in 90F climate than to leave it on forever in a 65F climate.

I do agree the 12V module would suit his purposes better though.
 
Sigurthr

Sigurthr

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Wow! Thank you Cyparagon! That was really excellent! I feel much better about having spent $70 on this laser now. I guess I was just a bit paranoid about a chinese laser in a NewWish host after seeing the insides of the cheap 405'er. Sorry for doubting you.

Definitely +1 for you for that!

Edit: "You must spread some reputation around before giving any to Cyparagon again." Oh well, I owe you one!
 
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Cyparagon

Cyparagon

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I haven't taken apart my 405 pointer, but I left it on for hours by accident the other day (put a box on top of it which pressed the button). A new set of batteries and it was fine.
 
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