Hi there, been reading a lot here and there but can't clear some doubts. Yes, I tried building my own power source following tutorials using the LM317 power regulator to no luck ruining two lasers, yes, despite following the instructions found on diff sites. I also found other testimonials on people not having luck (yes, others did get lucky), not me.
So before ruining other lasers that took time to remove from DVD burners I will appreciate some help. I understand the laser needs specific voltage (V) and specific current (C, mha, etc). If the right power source is not provided, the laser gets hot and dies, and mostly because the laser will consume as much energy as it can gets, or whatever something like that, thus an specific power source with both values fixed is needed.
- Does a common adapter sold at radioshack would work? they can provide specific voltage (3, 5, 6, 7, 9) at specific currents (200mA, 300mA), because... If choose carefully I could get the voltage I'm aiming with the DIY power source, right?
- Does powering it from a USB computer power source work? because USB ports feed specific voltage and current, and USB 3.0 feed even more.
- Am I doomed at facing again, building another power source out of some voltage regulator? I will, I'm just researching all I can to avoid doing it wrong. I saw some tutorials measuring and taking apart regulators from some dvd boards.
I'm working on a DIY laser engraver, nope, buying online is not something easy as I don't live on the US, things not only take time to get to my door: burning lasers and stuff like that faces problems on shipping (most of times) so, I want to avoid ordering something just to wait and find out it's not allowed.
I will appreciate your help! thanks in advance.
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Background: (yes I tried)
So, I know powering the laser directly with batteries will rarely work (it will mostly burn it) and as many users report making it work, it did reducing the working life until it died. Yes I tried that too, and no, no direct power and no LM317 working on my case.
So before ruining other lasers that took time to remove from DVD burners I will appreciate some help. I understand the laser needs specific voltage (V) and specific current (C, mha, etc). If the right power source is not provided, the laser gets hot and dies, and mostly because the laser will consume as much energy as it can gets, or whatever something like that, thus an specific power source with both values fixed is needed.
- Does a common adapter sold at radioshack would work? they can provide specific voltage (3, 5, 6, 7, 9) at specific currents (200mA, 300mA), because... If choose carefully I could get the voltage I'm aiming with the DIY power source, right?
- Does powering it from a USB computer power source work? because USB ports feed specific voltage and current, and USB 3.0 feed even more.
- Am I doomed at facing again, building another power source out of some voltage regulator? I will, I'm just researching all I can to avoid doing it wrong. I saw some tutorials measuring and taking apart regulators from some dvd boards.
I'm working on a DIY laser engraver, nope, buying online is not something easy as I don't live on the US, things not only take time to get to my door: burning lasers and stuff like that faces problems on shipping (most of times) so, I want to avoid ordering something just to wait and find out it's not allowed.
I will appreciate your help! thanks in advance.
. . . . . . . . .
Background: (yes I tried)
So, I know powering the laser directly with batteries will rarely work (it will mostly burn it) and as many users report making it work, it did reducing the working life until it died. Yes I tried that too, and no, no direct power and no LM317 working on my case.