Dollar Tree red laser diode?

So, I got this cheap little dollar tree laser pointer. The ones kids would have fun with day in and day out.

I was wondering, if the diode would burn out if I take it out, and hook it up to a 13.5v DC source?

I have NO clue what I'm doing, I just know I have this laser pointer, this power source, and I'm good with electronics, and such. I just, know nothing when it comes to lasers.

Any suggestions on what kind of diode I would need if this wouldn't work?

I'm just looking to have some fun, do something different.

My general idea, hook it up to the power source, hook a switch up, and do whatever.

I know the source is 13.5VDC 850mA.

Maybe I could use an LED, I just want a light source which I could find some use for, or no use at all. Just a random project.

Any ideas on an LED that could handle this power, and be REALLY bright?

Your DC power source can power a laser driver, or constant current source, which will in turn power the laser diode or LED diode.

Research into "LM317" .

And no, you cannot use 12V power supply to power any diode. Sorry.

I was wondering, if the diode would burn out if I take it out, and hook it up to a 13.5v DC source?

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Yes it would.

Maybe I could use an LED, I just want a light source which I could find some use for, or no use at all. Just a random project.
Any ideas on an LED that could handle this power, and be REALLY bright?

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What is it you want after all, a LED or a laser?
There are plenty of high powered LEDs that can take up to 1, 2 ,3 ... Amperes of current.
What color?

anselm said:

What is it you want after all, a LED or a laser?
There are plenty of high powered LEDs that can take up to 1, 2 ,3 ... Amperes of current.
What color?

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I'm honestly looking for anything, I was told THIS is the site to go to, and I'm just looking for something that emits light, that can take a 13.5VDC source, or a 4.5VDC source.

If I do an LED, preferably blue or green, but any color would work.

The Red Diode from the A140 projector is bad ass, and you can find them for sale here on LPF.

Welcome to LPF.

There's also another forum called "candlepower" you might wanna check out which
specializes in non-coherent light.

If you don't mind waiting for a month, you can get all kinds of hi-power leds and even
the necessary drivers here for example:
Tools: DIY Tools, Parts Accessories, DIY Tool, DIY Manual - DealExtreme

Anyways, welcome and enjoy your stay!

anselm said:

There's also another forum called "candlepower" you might wanna check out which
specializes in non-coherent light.

If you don't mind waiting for a month, you can get all kinds of hi-power leds and even
the necessary drivers here for example:
Tools: DIY Tools, Parts Accessories, DIY Tool, DIY Manual - DealExtreme

Anyways, welcome and enjoy your stay!

Click to expand...

Thank you for that link! I found a green laser pointer, 10Mw. Only $8.

I'm assuming all I need is the 3v power source, and no drivers?

DealExtreme: $7.86 10mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm)

Thanks for the help everyone!

Greens have a driver attached, and you can go up to ~ 4v. I have run a few greenies with 6.4v

Coherent Light said:

Greens have a driver attached, and you can go up to ~ 4v. I have run a few greenies with 6.4v

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That sounds pretty good, I think for this cheap of a laser, I'll stick with 3.0V. I'll see what kind of fun I can have though.

I don't have a 3.0V power supply, I have a 4.5V but I don't want to risk screwing this up.

A couple of 1.5v batteries in series should work fine. The module only draws 250ma.

The thing about those kind of red lasers is that they dont really have diodes like we are used to on LPF. Instead, they use cheap makeshift lasers built right into the circuit board (in which the circuit board is usually just a button,maybe a resistor at most).

even if you make a driver, it still might fry the diode. The diodes in this are not like normal can diodes, they are some little sheet of metal looking thing. And they are between 1mW to 5mW, which means they can handle about 1-3ma. If you ask me, its not even worth your time. Key chain lasers will be key chain lasers. If you want something over 5mW, just buy or build another laser thats a power and color you want. The reason I say this, is because what you are doing is almost like pot modding xD