Laser diode replacement, not what you think!

So, you want to take your e-bay bluray apart just to see how it works. Well, be careful! Some crazy people (like me) will somehow find a way to break the absolute smallest piece on the driver rendering it useless!

Never fear though, there is always diode replacement





How I managed to break that when it is surrounded by all those other parts is beyond me!

Here is the back side, just to see how it works...



Now, for those of you more building-inclined. I tested this driver and the max current I could get off of 2 AA batteries was 200mA. So, you could buy one of these and a 6x diode and you would be set with a pretty decent pen for under $50. The module is bigger and thicker than a aixiz so there is a teenie bit more heatsinking, but there is no practical way to make it focusable :undecided:

Or if you are even cheaper and don't care if your diode lives or dies, you could fiddle with the pot! I don't see any visible increase in power, but the diode is defiantly making more heat. So, in short, I suggest not touching the pot.

Also, just a little tip I have always used when your camera absolutely sucks at taking macro shots, get a set of helping hands! Why? Well, if you put the giant magnifying glass in front of your camera lens you essentially make a very very crappy macro lens! Its 10x better than macro shots on a normal point and shoot, but you will get weird reflections sometimes and using the flash can get tricky, but with a little effort you can get some decent macro shots!

Anywho, that ends this random thread of randomness! I hope someone finds something of use here!

I was wondering about the max current of the driver in these Thank you very much.

Use a pipe cutter for those hard to depot pen lasers!
Be gentle!!

Thanks fo the useful info there. +1 for you!

That inductor looks like its missing a fair bit of its core too - i wonder how well the remaining circuitry will work even with the diode replacement.

Also, replacing diodes should be a more careful job - you need to come up with something that is fast enough AND can handle the currents involved.

Yeah, it was pretty much doomed since I dropped it pulling it out...

Luckily I got it going again, even with the inductor busted up like it is. I would take my figure with a grain of salt, but I would think that a busted up inductor would make the driver less efficient which means it might be capable of a little more than 200mA.

Still not a bad deal, a laser host, module, lens and driver all for 10 bucks!

Hi, is this just my impression, or that component had "A106" written on it ?

If so, that was not a diode, that was an electrolitic tantalium capacitor, value 10uF 10VDC

Anyway, placing a diode in place of a capacitor, usually don't cause malfunctions, but may be better replace it with the correct component .....


EDIT: i mean like this, for be more clear

the cracked inductor shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as the center ferrite slug in the middle is OK, That tantalum cap should be replaced as it buffers the kick from the inductor so it doesen't fry the fets. Glue some aluminum bar stock to the switcher fets that are under the diode you soldered in and the circuit should do about double what it originally was made for.

HIMNL9 said:

Hi, is this just my impression, or that component had "A106" written on it ?

If so, that was not a diode, that was an electrolitic tantalium capacitor, value 10uF 10VDC

Anyway, placing a diode in place of a capacitor, usually don't cause malfunctions, but may be better replace it with the correct component .....


EDIT: i mean like this, for be more clear

Click to expand...

I thought it was a diode! Shows how much I know

So, Chris, you are saying heatsinking the fets would let it produce more power?

I'll need to find a suitable replacement cap to put on here, then I'll get some little pieces of aluminum and test it out for fun.

Those little ferrite inductors are pretty fragile, heh?
I know the feeling:

When I tried to carefully extract the guts of a BR pen... LOL

Where does your driver/module come from? It doesn't look at all like the DX greenie module, looks very sturdy and powerful.

Robert

This one came from motel268 on ebay, I paid a whole 2.95 shipped for it

I plan on getting a comparable capacitor and replacing it, I'm also going to look for scrap pieces of aluminum or copper at the shop here to put on the FETs to try to make some more power from this thing.

Pontiacg5 said:

This one came from motel268 on ebay, I paid a whole 2.95 shipped for it

I plan on getting a comparable capacitor and replacing it, I'm also going to look for scrap pieces of aluminum or copper at the shop here to put on the FETs to try to make some more power from this thing.

Click to expand...

Motel 'claims' they sent mine--right!!-ebay wil do nothing-they are a power seller and I am just an ant.

ALL BS
China Holiday excuse( there is one every few days)

Hacker - sure.. NOT

Eekbay did it--not us-- not hardly

whats next--dog ate my homework???

offered to send me 1/2 of my order-- said they make no profit otherwise..

Makes mw want to do what those a**holes pulled on Chris--order another small item just to be able to lie about getting it and than leaving a huge Neg.on thier FB--but that is not how I roll--I have honor...

I say some lessons come w/ a price--like no profit on this order....MINGMING/Motel-

-you have no honor!!!!

Did they give you a tracking number? I never got one, and if there is not one then paypal will automatically refund your money.

Probably not now though, its been too long :/

Sorry to hear you got screwed!

refund???-- so if I put an item up and do not like the ending I can just refund??-or shill it? -IDTS

I want them to send the lasers-they have been wanting to refund from day one.

My claim/dispute is still pending- started it on day 43.

even w/ a refund I feel scammed.....

No, they don't get a refund you do.

It sucks, and I got lucky, but if he is not going to hold his end of the deal he should not get to keep your money too.

Glad to hear you got a case open in time. I think paypal gives you an option to refund the buyer when they open a claim, if he wanted to refund from day one he would of refunded as soon as you opened the claim. Now it just looks like he is trying to keep your money. Seems to me he is trying to scam you :/

IFAIK they cannot just refund-- only after you ask for a refund at least in the first stages --I was nice at first- even offered to accept 1/2 of the lasers I paid for-they offered 1/2 less one pointer-' we no make any profit'- I took back my offer and then they said---'well since you so insist we are sending you lasers now.'

...wait 18 days

I ask where are they...' please --you will be much happy- lasers come to you in few days'

..wait 'few' days..

open dispute...

"we send you no get???-- only fair that we now make refund--OK?'

NOT OK!!!

dozens of items from china/korea- only one to not make it....ummmm??

they don't call me hacksaw for nothing-- I can cut thru anything!!!!

including the BS.