Looking for info on barcode scanner diode

I found a mutilated Spectra-Physics VS1200 barcode scanner in the trash at my work place. Apparently someone tried to power it directly with 220V and not with a 5V/12V adapter. After the smoke came out the guy disassembled it and threw it away.

I think the diode module will still be okay.

How hard will it be to figure out what pins to power on the driver module?

Thanks

Here is a picture of the mirrors. Are they too big to be used for a spirograph? (Average size about 3cm x 5cm)

I'm surprised you haven't got a response yet. The circuiit board you are holding has an LM392 on it, which is an op-amp, and may be part of either a current source or the receiver circuit. The best thing for you to do will probably be to take the diode itself out, and power it with a driver circuit. I'm no expert, but the mirrors should be ok - as long as you can find a motor capable of moving them fast enough. Give it a go, there's no harm in trying

I think they're weak 635nm red diodes, and that heatsink is to give it a long operational lifetime. The mirrors are probably worth more and be more fun to play with, though it might be a nice rig to put a laser diode into anyway.

I see this scanner was manufactured in '95, so the diode will be fairly useless...

So for now I'll focus on the mirrors.