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FrozenGate by Avery

Finished my RRGB laser projector - PHOTOS!

paulzimm

paulzimm

0
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
288
Points
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This projector is based on the "SoundCard DAC" tutorial and I am running Spaghetti through a modified USB sound card connected to a DAC that I soldered together from scratch. See the post I added to the tutorial for my parts list. I finally went ahead and installed a second red diode with PBS cube in my projector this weekend. About damn time! LOL

I have the red LOC diodes wired in parallel for a total of 800mA current which produces about 1/2 watt of 650nm light output. I also have a 300mW green and a 1000mW blue laser installed in the projector. Came out great, the animated laser shows are freaking incredible! I am using 30k galvos purchased through SpaceLas. For anymore who is into building laser pointers, I highly recommend this project. Now my friends and family actually understand my fascination with this hobby ;o)

See attached photos of me (finally) adding the second red laser diode...
 

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Wow, man, that is gorgeous. It makes me want to learn more, and build one myself. +1 from me.
 
Very cool PaulZ :)
I am hoping to start on one befor to long myself I just got quick show but haven't had the time to even stick the disk in my computer.
 
Thanks for the +Rep Wildlands!

Flaminpyro, how much did you pay for QuickShow? I assume that is the one made by Pangolin, does that come with a USB controller as well? Please post a link so I can see what you purchased, how much did you pay for it? Thanks in advance...
 
Isn't it always a joy to see something like this come together?:)

So how about that dual red, did andy_con hook you up with parts, or did you DIY it completely?

In any case, well done.
 
Cool .. but where are the 'white beam' shots ? :can:
Edit: yeah .. where did you get the parts from ?
 
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It's an almost perfectly white beam, I will take some photos soon! I got the PBS cube and mounting hardware from CTlasers.com : Connecticut Lasers

EDIT: The heatsinks are from www.modwerx.com and I custom cut the aluminex stand-offs to bring the level of the lasers up to my green lab laser.
 
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CT Lasers is a good company

The "standard" is that RRGB is reserved for two different red wavelengths though. Otherwise mister con would have a few RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGB projectors.
 
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very nice, love those heatsinks :)

ONLY thing I would tell you to think about changing is switching the position of the blue and red... you should have your weakest color nearest the scanners (which now is almost always the red)

the whole putting the blue closest to the scanners thing is left over from the 473 days when blue was by far the most expensive color $$$/mW

you should come down to the laser shows in miami some time, let me know and I can get you in :)

first friday of the month
 
Thanks flecom! I just marked my calendar for June 3rd, I have been to the Miami Planetarium many times for the laser shows but it has been a while. Looking forward to it!

I actually did at first try to mount the red laser just before the galvos at the front but I seem to remember that the blue beam was getting scattered / unfocused from the dichro or something.

Just so you know, you are the main reason why I decided to start (and finally complete) this project. I am so happy with the results! Next thing I may do now is upgrade the controller/software with a Pangolin QuickShow but that will cost me around $600 or so. Maybe in the next few months, will keep you informed...
 
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paulzimm said:
Thanks flecom! I just marked my calendar for June 3rd, I have been to the Miami Planetarium many times for the laser shows but it has been a while. Looking forward to it!

I actually did at first try to mount the red laser just before the galvos at the front but I seem to remember that the blue beam was getting scattered / unfocused from the dichro or something.

Just so you know, you are the main reason why I decided to start (and finally complete) this project. I am so happy with the results! Next thing I may do now is upgrade the controller/software with a Pangolin DirectShow but that will cost me around $600 or so. Maybe in the next few months, will keep you informed...
Click to expand...

thanks :D

it looks better than my first projector I'll tell you that much! :thinking:

sounds like the dicro you were passing the 445 though didn't like it, which is definitely possible since most of the dichros are still designed with 473 in mind (445 *is* really relatively new as a popular color)

as for Pangolin QuickShow its nice for live stuff, but there are not a lot of shows for it yet... if you want to make shows its also pretty good and easy to use as a bonus... you can usually find it used or an older version of the DAC for like $500 or sometimes even less

but I would tell you to keep playing with the sound card dac for a while before you decide to spend $$$ on a dac... and I would wait for the whole pangolin beyond thing so we can see what the future of pangolin hardware/pricing is going to look like if you do decide to go in that direction...

if you do go to the laser show let me know and I will bring you a gift :)
 
Great build! +1 Rep

Do you have a LPM? I'm keen to know your loss from the green after going through dichroics and galvos...

I have some 40% loss with mine.
 
One of these days I will get an LPM but I currently do not own one. I have more than enough green in my projector so I am not too worried. It's the red that I would love to upgrade. Thanks for the +Rep points everyone, it was such a fun project to complete!
 
Thanks for sharing your projector again! Glad to see you got the two reds combined now. Can't wait to see it in the 2U case.

Just to let you know, you are the one that inspired me to start my laser projector build! +1 rep to that.

I have been documenting my build since I started at the beginning of 2011 year after you helped get me started, but have not got to share my it yet. I did put up three video at: sobotadj's Channel - YouTube of my progress so far (just need to add the two red diodes in now).

You need to invest in QuickShow, it will fully unlock the potential of your laser projector. I have put together two military laser shows using QuickShow, if you want to see what is possible to do. If you have any questions about it, just shoot me a PM.

For a LPM, I would recommend getting the Radiant Alpha from Radiant Electronics - Home. It is affordable and perfect for any hobbyist. I used mine to help tune the Trilights Green DPSS to its max output. The only problem is they sell out very fast, so as soon as you get an email saying they are in stock you need to gun for the checkout.
 
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