6 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

Ive had alot of problems with my lasers and im going to tell you how to avoid and fix some problems

1. If your going to try to light a match or burn something through a cup or glass make sure the beam is not reflected back onto the lasers lens/diode *same thing with a mirror* . If you do it, it could result in pernamently damage your laser!

2. Do not burn anything up close! Smoke will get on the lens!!
If you did do this there could be somewhat a shadow around the laser when you shine it. To fix that just get a Q-Tip and i didnt actually have any alchohol lying around so i tried some mouth wash. I put a dab of the mouth wash on the Q-Tip if there was to much i would throw it away or dry it alittle bit. Slighty clean the lens for a few seconds and get a new Q-Tip and slowly dry it. Turn it on and that problem is fixed in no time

3. This one is just logic but try to follow a duty cycle for lasers over 20mW If you fail to follow one your laser could burn out! If a website failed to list a duty cycle.... You should follow this:
30-60 Seconds ON
20-40 Seconds OFF

4. If you buy a laser and buy batteries. Seriously make sure you have the right voltage. For example if it needs 3volts and takes 2 double AA Batterys. You need to find 2, 1.5v Double AA Batterys. This was just an example most double AA Batterys are 1.5v in the first place Dont get confused now. Allways pay attention to voltage!

5. Dont open up your lasers unless you 100% know what your doing. You could do 1 thing and the whole thing will stop working. And if you do decide to do so, touch the diode with care they are extremely fragile!!

6. Make sure you got the battery going in the right way. If you do put it in the wroung way it could result in your laser not working!

I hope i could help
Never point laser pointers in peoples eyes and allways wear safety goggles with a laser above 5mW

-Matrix

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

2. Do not burn anything up close! Smoke will get on the lens!!
If you did do this there could be somewhat a shadow around the laser when you shine it. To fix that just get a Q-Tip and i didnt actually have any alchohol lying around so i tried some mouth wash. I put a dab of the mouth wash on the Q-Tip if there was to much i would throw it away or dry it alittle bit. Slighty clean the lens for a few seconds and get a new Q-Tip and slowly dry it. Turn it on and that problem is fixed in no time

Click to expand...

Someone correct me if I'm mistaken but alcohol on the lens is actually a bad idea because it can damage the coating and mess up your optics. You should also use lent free cloth like a Kimwipe instead of a Q-Tip.

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

I thought the same thing but mouth wash doesnt have much alchohol in it and if you got a laser like a classic i would recommend a Q-tip it helped me but its probably not a good idea to do it too often. Im sure your idea would work too but this was stuff i had laying around my house and im sure other people do too.

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

Mouthwash has other chemicals in it that don't evaporate or wipe away that easily. Not to mention, mouthwash is alkaline and aluminum in particular does not like alkaline conditions. I wouldn't recommend.

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

Well put but it does work for people who cant afford the cleaning supplys its basic stuff just sitting around your house and ive done it plenty of times. I also got this information from my friend and he uses the method all the time and none of our lasers have been damaged from it.

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) works great, I have a bottle full of it, pharmaceutical grade.. Smells very nice too..
If you use just enough to clean the lens, and not wet it, you're not damaging any coating!

Re: 5 Laser pointer tips to avoid damaging a laser.

ive done that before the mouthwash had a better effect for me

I just blow the dust out and use a microfiber cloth to wipe the dust thats left, off the lens. If you turn on a fan or just blow on what your burning, the smoke does not ruin your lens Also try to keep the laser or lens in a dust free zone, with low humidity. I have mine in a case with silicone packs in it.

Number three is bullshit. :tired:

if it doesnt have a heat sink you might as well follow some duty cycle i dont see anything thats bullshit about it.

Maybe you should make, "Never point laser pointers in peoples eyes and allways wear safety goggles with a laser above 5mW", tip number #7
http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/hit-eye-263mw-red-laser-80233.html

That has nothing to do with this, this has to do with not damaging your laser, not damaging your eyes. -.-

Awesome thanks for the advice.I have had similar issues with older lasers. Ive learned from my mistakes.