Red DIY DVD laser burner.

good write up but no power regulation like making a driver with the pot, diode, resistor or caps. There is a link that has it all torn apart for a review.

dansdata.com/41-4262.htm

Hello, first of all I would like to thank Kenom for the awesome tutorial however I am having a problem. First of all, im not using any kind of capacitor or resistor because it was not mentioned in the tutorial and others have had sucess without using one. I have got all the way to the part of where I am about to epoxy the AixiZ module w/ the diode installed. Before I put the diode in the AixiZ module and tightened it in, I wired it up to the + and - on the piece where we cut the traces. The diode lit up no problem and was super bright (I wired up my diode with the + on top and the - to the right). Now after I did that I ran my LED leads off of the diode leads and placed the AixiZ module on top of the + and - connections where I was about to epoxy. Before I was about to do that I tested the diode one more time to make sure I still had a solid connection. When I turned it on the diode was VERY VERY dim. This is the second diode that I have ordered and installed and ended up having the same problem with. Can somebody please tell me what I'm doing wrong here. Can I still salvage the diode or is it shot? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

You smoked the diode with too much current. Some of the Dorcy Jr torches are putting out close to 800ma after the built in driver - hence the need for the current limiting resistor.

Well I just thought that I didnt need to use any resistors or capacitors since the driver was regulated enough to not need one. So your saying that if I throw in a 10 ohm 1 watt resistor to the + lead of the diode and then try again, I wont have any problems? What size resistor do you reccomend?

Thanks for the help

No - your diode is most likely fried at this point You should use a minimum of 5 Ohms, IMO....do you have a multi-meter ? If so - you need to check the current that it is putting out under load...That is the only way you are going to be able to calculate the proper resistance needed.

Yea I know im saying that once I get another diode I just need to throw in the resistor along with it and I should be good to go? Sorry for the confusion.

CharlieMurphi said:

Yea I know im saying that once I get another diode I just need to throw in the resistor along with it and I should be good to go? Sorry for the confusion.

Click to expand...

No problems

You MUST measure the current first and foremost - if you don't - you could very well smoke another diode

Like Senkat said, you have to measure the current under load, and preferably with the same load as a good laser diode. A silver lining to your misfortune, you can test the current using the now-dead diodes. They will still act the same electrically, so your current measurement will still be valid. That way, you'll have the right current when you hook up the new, good diode.

I just ordered another diode so im ready for round 3. I have a multi meter so do I just wire the diode back up to the battery and press the two prongs on the multi meter cables to the + and - diode leads? I've been using the diodes from stonetek so off the top of anyones head do you know what the mA readout is on those when used in the dorcy jr. The mA should be the same with everyone that has that same setup correct? Sorry for the newb questions but I REALLY want to get this now that I have wasted two diodes   :'(

Can somebody please help me with this part. I received my new diode today (from Stone Tek) and I need to measure what resistor I should use for it. Do I need a 1/2 watt or 1 watt and so on... I also have a multi meter so im good to go. Do I turn the dial on the multi meter to the A ~ or which one is it? Also how exactly do I go about doing this. Do I just put the multi meter prongs on the - and + leads of the diode by itself or what because it seems as though if its under "load" which im assuming means hooked up to power then wouldnt it just kill the diode when you power it? Sorry for the stupid questions but I just want to be extremely careful with this 3rd diode since I cant afford to keep buying and burning these things up. I would really appreciate the help with this part as this is the only step I need to complete my laser.

Thanks

Uber-noob question.

I have a quick question-is there anyway to make a custom laser without soldering?

-Jplaz.

Re: Uber-noob question.

Jplaz said:

I have a quick question-is there anyway to make a custom laser without soldering?

-Jplaz.

Click to expand...

Yes. You buy one from me or someone else and have them send it to you with the parts unscrewed. Then you screw them together.

Peace,
dave

Re: Uber-noob question.

Jplaz said:

I have a quick question-is there anyway to make a custom laser without soldering?

-Jplaz.

Click to expand...

It is possible if your diode has pins long enough to insert into a mini maglite (I'm sure you've seen that goofy "how to make a laser with a maglite " video), but honestly that mod is a waste of time and $$ as the unregulated current and lack of a heatsink will kill your diode very quickly. If you want to build a laser that will last more than a few minutes then yes you'll have to solder and use a driver. Its either that or have someone else build it for you.

Re: Uber-noob question.

RattleHead said:

It is possible if your diode has pins long enough to insert into a mini maglite

Click to expand...

That's NOT a laser. That's just a very efficient and fast way to kill diodes

Peace,
dave

Re: Uber-noob question.

daguin said:

That's NOT a laser.  That's just a very efficient and fast way to kill diodes

Peace,
dave

Click to expand...

Very true.

Awesome, how much would that cost?

EDIT- This is directed at "daguin"