100mw laser cannot light a match

I just got a novalasers x100 100mw laser. it averages 122.6mw and peaks at 123.6mw. I tried to light a red headed match and all it would do is smoke, not light. I even colored the match head black with a sharpie and it still would not light. I had the same problem with my x125 from nova a while back. I am using pretty new duracell alkaline AAA batteries. Also any lithium batteries will not work with this laser. whenever I try to turn it on with lithium batteries installed (energizer ultimate lithium) it would not turn on. However, alkalines work just fine. The beam and dot are extremely bright, but why can't I light a match? Thanks.

Beam diameter it to large, that's why. Try using a magnifined glass to focus it to a smaller dot. That might work, however, it will make you loose power too.

The beam diameter should be <1mm at aperture which is small enough to light a match easily within 0 - 2 feet assuming 1.2mRad.
122mW is plenty of power.

It's odd that lithium batteries do not work.
Are you sure that batteries are full? "Pretty new" may not be new enough.
The diode will want >350mA and 2.2V. The driver will take some, internal resistance will take some, and the voltage will sag under heavy load, like your laser.
Check the batteries with a multimeter.
Alkaline batteries sag more than Lithium or NiMH (which I recommend).

Also, make sure you are installing batteries correctly.

Lasers are picky about power source- more so than most other electronics.

Also, temperature may affect the efficiency of your laser.
Using the laser in the right temperature range is crucial if you want optimal performance.
Remember that the laser itself will produce heat. Use this to your advantage if it likes to operate warm.
If it likes cold, then keep true to the duty cycle and try to keep it cool.

If that does not help, your matches may just be difficult to light.
Some matches are easier than others regardless of color.
Age, chemical composition, and many other things can affect how easy or difficult a match is to light.

ok thanks RA Pierce. the lithiums are brand new out of the package, and none of them will work with my laser. it was the alkalines that were "pretty new", sorry for the confusion. yeah i had an x125 (125mw) from novalasers a while back (2009) and that also could not light my matches. I guess my matches could be old or something like you said, so maybe i'll go get new black headed matches sometime and try it out. Thanks for the fast reply.

Rswitz said:

ok thanks RA Pierce. the lithiums are brand new out of the package, and none of them will work with my laser. it was the alkalines that were "pretty new", sorry for the confusion. yeah i had an x125 (125mw) from novalasers a while back (2009) and that also could not light my matches. I guess my matches could be old or something like you said, so maybe i'll go get new black headed matches sometime and try it out. Thanks for the fast reply.

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You could always sharpie your matches with or just use any old black marker (sorry if this has been mentioned.)

Do you have a multimeter? That way you can check to double make sure the batteries are at full capicity.

Also, I'm not sure if the opto's have a little protective covering over the hole, or an IR filter but I wouldn't reccomend putting the match right up to the laser aperature, I've ruined two lasers doing this as smoke from the match gets in and diposits on the lens, causing loads of dirty marks on the spot.

alright thanks. i tried sharpie-ing my matches but to no avail. i don't think there is a problem with my laser, but something is definitely not right since lithiums don't even work in my laser. sadly i don't have a multi meter to test the batteries, but i'm pretty sure they were new. tomorrow i'm getting new batteries, so i'll let you know what happens. thanks.

Hi,

Is it an IR-Filtered laser?

Does the laser have a driver that shuts off if there is too much input voltage? I think that could be a possibility. Run some lithiums down in another device for a while and try them again. If you have a multimeter check them to see if they are 1.5v after using them before trying to use them.

Also, I find that strike anywhere matches are really hard to light (with lasers or "anywhere" in general ) If you are using those try using a book of matches like the ones that bars and strip clubs usually give away. I can light those without even coloring them by aiming right below at the cardboard stick instead of the match head

iskor12 said:

Beam diameter it to large, that's why. Try using a magnifined glass to focus it to a smaller dot.

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thats what i am thinking maybe the beam is too thick and isn't focused enough, use a lens or a magnifying glass to focus the beam and then try.

Pontiacg5 said:

If you have a multimeter check them to see if they are 1.5v after using them before trying to use them.

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he said he doesn't have a multimeter.

stuart

I have the Jayrob DIY green kit....
First I had a 100mW O-like module in it.... With these one it was easy to ligth a match....
Later I had a 150mW O-like module and it seems like it was a little harder too light a match..

Now I have a 250mW module from Hit-lasers.... This one is very bright I get really blinded if I try to light a match. I try but the match will not light even these module is soo agressive bright..... I thinks it's because of the focus or something....

i think its just a problem with none ajustable focus lasers with large beam diameter.

stuart

If you are trying to light a match and are getting "really blinded" you need some safety glasses. You are going to do some permanent damage to your eyes playing with a 250mW module like that, especially one that is questionable quality like that. Who knows how much IR you have leaking out. If you had glasses, you would be able to see the size of the dot, then you would be able to tell if it was a focus problem. I STRONGLY suggest you get a set of glasses.

It's definitely beam diameter. My Viper @ 125mW could easily light matches. My Rayfoss after they "fixed" it (over 400mW) cannot light matches because the beam is rather thick. However it looks amazingly awesome because of the huge power in a relatively thick beam So I use my blu-ray for burning and my greenie for "oooooh. aaahhh."

You can buy a lighter for about a buck at the gas station.

carmangary said:

You can buy a lighter for about a buck at the gas station.

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But where's the fun in that??

swimminsurfer256 said:

But where's the fun in that??

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well... its a burner though :crackup:

stuart