Driving a 3v 5mW with 5v power supply

This is all very new to me, and I am trying to figure things out as I go. ie... take it easy on me

I am working on a project that I want to use a low powered green laser. I wish I would have found this site before I purchased my laser... but c'est la vie. I got the cheapest thing I could find on ebay. I haven't gotten it yet, but I am already working the wiring and what not.

This project is using an Arduino microcontroller board which will be using a 9v power adapter. The board itself has 5v power outputs that I will be hooking the laser up to. What I was wondering is do I need to put in some resistors or something?!? to protect the laser? Since there isn't much info about the laser on the ebay page, I don't know if it has a built in driver or not?

One other question is, can a green laser handle be turned on and off repeatedly (ie 1/2 second on 1/2 second off over the course of 30 seconds)?

Thanks for the help.

Your Green Laser has a driver in it... and to power it properly you
should supply it with the 3 Volts it was designed for (2 X 1.5V)...
Get a Low Drop Out 3 Volt Regulator... That will solve your power
issue..

I can't see a problem of a 50% duty cycle of 500ms... except that
the 532nm Laser may not have a stable beam until it reaches
operating temperature...

BTW....

to the Forum....

Don't forget to read the Newcomers section and the Forum Rules..


Jerry

Ok, now to read up on Low Dropout Regulators Any suggestions on a good place to get one? Would something like a Fry's or Radioshack have them or do I need to order it online. Sorry really new to all of this, nothing like a challenge to get the creative juices flowing.

Actually an unstable beam would enhance the effect that I am going for I will post some pictures when I get done... should be cool.

Thanks for the welcome. I am reading everything I can!

The radioshacks I've been to only offer 5V, 12V, and lm317 voltage regulators.

Here's a Data Sheet for an adjustable output LDO Regulator...

http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM1117.pdf

Also know as the LM1117...
You'll need to hunt down a small quantity seller in your area..


Jerry

Awesome! Thanks guys!

Ok... I finished my project, a little late, but better than not at all. Here are the results if you are interested, and again thanks for the help!

Video

How I built it

Nice job... Well done...

Jerry