First laser build

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 1, 2008

I adjusted the lense so it made a very small bright dot...It still wont burn though :'( what is sweetspot for the amount of current to run through it? (its a red senkat diode..) and how can i tell that i have that sweetspot without hurting my diode?
thanks

daguin · Nov 1, 2008

The_Muffin_Man said:
I adjusted the lense so it made a very small bright dot...It still wont burn though :'( what is sweetspot for the amount of current to run through it? (its a red senkat diode..) and how can i tell that i have that sweetspot without hurting my diode?
thanks

I'm sorry. I thought you were building a blu-ray. No problem though.

Hook your DMM in line between your battery/power source and your driver. Set it to mA. Record what the mA is now. Adjust the pot until your meter reads 300mA. Be very careful. Turn it VERY slowly and just a tiny bit to see how sensitive it's going to be. If it won't/doesn't get up to 300mA, then record what it is and try burning stuff again.

Also, since it is a red diode the thing you are trying to burn needs to be black (or very dark brown).

Peace,
dave

laserman55 · Nov 1, 2008

ya but can u use a 9v thats what i want to kno i made one and like i dont want to use like 5-6 AA's

rog8811 · Nov 1, 2008

The trouble with a PP3 9v battery is that it has a low ma/h rating and will run down rapidly.

2 x RCR123A will give you 7.2v and plenty of life between charges.

Regards rog8811

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 1, 2008

hey, thanks for your reply...where do I get a DMM and how much does it cost? I am kinda low on money right now...also I am currently using a 9v battery and it is working fine...do you think there is a need for those other batteries?
Thanks

rog8811 · Nov 1, 2008

Like I said, you will be replacing the 9v battery quite frequently, but it will work.

A DMM from ebay or radioshack need not cost a lot, just get on line and look around, spend as much as you can afford as you get what you pay for.

Regards rog8811

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 1, 2008

hey I have looked around and the cheapest on eBay was about 15 dollars and the cheapest on radioshack was about 30 dollars.. I'll ask around my neighborhood... I made a smaller version of the circuit before.. Im trying to find a host for my laser...my driver is probably 3/4 of an inch across and probably an inch long the pot is prety big...radiocrap didn't have any small ones..any suggestions?
Thanks

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 2, 2008

I just tested out my smaller circuit and I attached my laser and pushed the button and nothing happened...so I attached it back to my old circuit and it lases but not very brightly...in my smaller circuit I soldered the wires from the components right to eachother...but I used some wire for connecting the pot, the battery holder Ect. Is my diode broken?!? Or what did I do wrong

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 2, 2008

Do u think I have to order another? I'm so sad :'(

rog8811 · Nov 2, 2008

I just tested out my smaller circuit and I attached my laser

When you say you tested the circuit you mean you put a test load on it and checked that everything was doing what it should?

Once the test load and power supply were removed did you short out the wires to the LD before soldering it on?

Regards rog8811

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 2, 2008

I tested it out with my diode....now I know not to do that....I am going to order another I think...also I got a digital multimeter what current should I run it at?
Thanks again

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 2, 2008

Ok so i just ordered another sony diode pre-installed in a aixiz housing from stontek and a driver...It says i can fit the driver into the end of the aixiz housing and stuff but i have a couple of questions about it
1) What power source should i use
2) Do i use a digital multimeter to test the output or do i have to buy a test load...
3) Do i solder the positive and the negatives from the driver right to the leads on the diode?
Thanks again

rog8811 · Nov 2, 2008

1) What power source should i use
I would use rechargable RCR123A batteries = 7.2v
2) Do i use a digital multimeter to test the output or do i have to buy a test load...
Make a test load 4 X 1N4001 diodes and a 1ohm resistor, all in series soldered to where the LD will eventually be soldered.
3) Do i solder the positive and the negatives from the driver right to the leads on the diode?
I am assuming that this is a Rkcstr driver and in which case yes.
Thanks again

Regards rog8811

The_Muffin_Man · Nov 3, 2008

rog8811 said:
1) What power source should i use
I would use rechargable RCR123A batteries = 7.2v
2) Do i use a digital multimeter to test the output or do i have to buy a test load...
Make a test load 4 X 1N4001 diodes ans a 1ohm resistor, all in series soldered to where the LD will eventually be soldered.
3) Do i solder the positive and the negatives from the driver right to the leads on the diode?
I am assuming that this is a Rkcstr driver and in which case yes.
Thanks again

Regards rog8811

ok...
1) where do i get these batteries? and how big are they im trying to have a (somewhat) sleek host but if they arent then i dont care ill use a project box..
2)will you send me a picture of the circuit? and how does that show me what current to run it at..?
3) well the driver is from stonetek... heres the link --> http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=225

Also i asked for them to solder a wire from the positive and negative terminals on the laser diode...so should i just solder those right onto my driver and then hook my driver up to the battery you reccomended? and then just adjust the pot until i hit a sweetspot? Does stonetek set their drivers to max resistance when you order them or do i have to use a DMM to find out where its at...?

Thanks again!

rog8811 · Nov 3, 2008

ok...
1) where do i get these batteries? and how big are they im trying to have a (somewhat) sleek host but if they arent then i dont care ill use a project box..
Deal extreme do the batteries mentioned above, they also do these ones for a sleek look http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.974 (see photo of my red burner with these batteries)

rog8811 · Nov 3, 2008

2) will you send me a picture of the circuit? and how does that show me what current to run it at..?
If you read the first few posts of this thread http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1197651171 This shows how to measure the output to the LD with a DMM, ignore the ref voltage as that is only pertinant to the LM317 Driver

3) well the driver is from stonetek... heres the link --> http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&produ cts_id=225
That is the Rkcstr driver

Also i asked for them to solder a wire from the positive and negative terminals on the laser diode...so should i just solder those right onto my driver and then hook my driver up to the battery you reccomended? and then just adjust the pot until i hit a sweetspot?

You could do that.... but I have said above, in answer to your question No2, what you should do

Does stonetek set their drivers to max resistance when you order them or do i have to use a DMM to find out where its at...?
You will need to check what the setting is by testing..... what I am saying is never assume, always test....

Regards rog8811

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