Help me get my dilda 200mW laser working again

laser83 · Feb 9, 2009

I recently got a cheap 50$ 200 mW red laser from Kaidomain's. I've since learned the laser is in fact the 200 mW red laser gen 2 version from DX. I was a bit too curious and thought it would be worth a try to attempt to "pot mod" the laser. The mod actually worked, the problem was I wanted to see what "pot modding" was really doing. I kept turning the variable resistor (pot) counter clockwise and now and I can't get the laser on anymore. Even when I turn it clockwise many times, it's still not working.

My question is which way should I turn the pot/variable resistor to get the laser back on again? How much do need to turn that little screw because it doesn't seem to matter when I do it now. I should also note that the spring connector to the battery came off. I can reattach it easily, not sure if that matters?.

I'll be getting a much better laser shortly. That's why I messed around with this one to begin with. A learning experience I suppose. I'm still hoping to get this laser working again. If not I guess I'll try selling what I can for parts. :-/ That's my last resort if this absolutely won't work. I checked the batteries and they have power so that's not the issue and I made sure to place them correctly to get those suggestions out of the way. Hope I can this laser back on.

Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

daguin · Feb 9, 2009

Let's see . . . . . .

You turned the potentiometer to high and too much current blew the diode

OR

You left it on too long so that you overheated the diode and blew it

OR

You twisted the potentiometer so vigorously that you broke it

Those would be my guesses based on your description.

Peace,
dave

laser83 · Feb 9, 2009

daguin said:
Let's see . . . . . .

You turned the potentiometer to high and too much current blew the diode

Sometimes I can see the dot for a second or so which tells me the diode could still be working. Is there way to confirm that the diode is dead?

OR

You left it on too long so that you overheated the diode and blew it

I don't think that's the reason as it didn't suddenly die when I was using it.

OR

You twisted the potentiometer so vigorously that you broke it

That's probably it. is there anyway to fix that?

Those would be my guesses based on your description.

Peace,
dave

Thank you for your answers. Is there anything I can do with it now? Sounds like I probably have a dead piece of metal.

daguin · Feb 9, 2009

How "bright" is it when you can see it for a "second or so"?

If left on too long it could just begin the breakdown process so that it fails on the next start-up

If you broke the potentiometer, about the only thing you can do is replace it.

Peace,
dave

laser83 said:
[quote author=daguin link=1234141808/0#1 date=1234142208]Let's see . . . . . .
You turned the potentiometer to high and too much current blew the diode
Sometimes I can see the dot for a second or so which tells me the diode could still be working. Is there way to confirm that the diode is dead?

OR
You left it on too long so that you overheated the diode and blew it
I don't think that's the reason as it didn't suddenly die when I was using it.
OR
You twisted the potentiometer so vigorously that you broke it
That's probably it. is there anyway to fix that?
Those would be my guesses based on your description.
Peace,
dave

Thank you for your answers. Is there anything I can do with it now? Sounds like I probably have a dead piece of metal.

[/quote]

Mohrenberg · Feb 9, 2009

laser83 said:
I recently got a cheap 50$ 200 mW red laser from Kaidomain's. I've since learned the laser is in fact the 200 mW red laser gen 2 version from DX. I was a bit too curious and thought it would be worth a try to attempt to "pot mod" the laser. The mod actually worked, the problem was I wanted to see what "pot modding" was really doing. I kept turning the variable resistor (pot) counter clockwise and now and I can't get the laser on anymore. Even when I turn it clockwise many times, it's still not working.

My question is which way should I turn the pot/variable resistor to get the laser back on again? How much do need to turn that little screw because it doesn't seem to matter when I do it now. I should also note that the spring connector to the battery came off. I can reattach it easily, not sure if that matters?.

I'll be getting a much better laser shortly. That's why I messed around with this one to begin with. A learning experience I suppose. I'm still hoping to get this laser working again. If not I guess I'll try selling what I can for parts. :-/ That's my last resort if this absolutely won't work. I checked the batteries and they have power so that's not the issue and I made sure to place them correctly to get those suggestions out of the way. Hope I can this laser back on.

Thanks for any help, I really appreciate it.

i would take a random guess that you broke the pot.
all the pots i've played with (very few) have a point at which they stop turning...if your don't then you were probably too rough to it

laser83 · Feb 9, 2009

daguin said:
How "bright" is it when you can see it for a "second or so"?

If left on too long it could just begin the breakdown process so that it fails on the next start-up

If you broke the potentiometer, about the only thing you can do is replace it.

Peace,
dave

How "bright" is it when you can see it for a "second or so"?

The brightness was normal compared to when I attempted the modification. The brightness was the same as before and it would stay on probably less than a quarter of second. Now that won't even happen since I've tried screwing potentiometer too much apparently.

I'm almost completely positive I broke the potentiometer I was a bit rough with it. How much does it cost to get another one and are they very difficult to replace? I don't mind trying to fix it rather than just losing this laser.

I only feel foolish that I didn't ask here first before I tired this. That was dumb but I sure laser newbies make these kind of mistakes. First thing I did at least is get good goggles, on that part I take no risks.

potatorage · Feb 9, 2009

well... I think you can get another pot @ radioshack or digikey or somewhere like that... it is difficult to replace surface mount components... good luck!

laser83 · Feb 9, 2009

[ch12290 said:
]well... I think you can get another pot @ radioshack or digikey or somewhere like that... it is difficult to replace surface mount components... good luck!

Crud, I assume some soldering would be involved. Is there a guide on how to do this somewhere? I'll just do more damage if I go in clueless again.

Could any of you tell me if I ruined the pot if I took a high quality picture of it?

potatorage · Feb 9, 2009

I have no idea how to solder to stuff like that-- search for "how to solder SMT" and maybe you'll find stuff out... I think you can test your pot with your multimeter and test for resistance.

daguin · Feb 9, 2009

laser83 said:
[quote author=[ch12290] link=1234141808/0#6 date=1234145584]well... I think you can get another pot @ radioshack or digikey or somewhere like that... it is difficult to replace surface mount components... good luck!

Crud, I assume some soldering would be involved. Is there a guide on how to do this somewhere? I'll just do more damage if I go in clueless again.
[highlight]Could any of you tell me if I ruined the pot if I took a high quality picture of it? [/highlight][/quote]

Only if the pot had fallen apart. If it is just the contacts that are damaged , they cannot be seen from the outside.

Peace,
dave

The_Muffin_Man · Feb 9, 2009

Would you be willing to sell the dilda case? Just the case without anything inside? If so i call dibs on it. I have always wanted a dilda ;D

Or i could try to repair it for you (by repair i mean take out the diode and put in a new one with a new driver...)

By " I should also note that the spring connector to the battery came off." do you mean the spring that is attached to the switch on the end of the dilda fell off or the one on the driver?

Thanks

Pm me if you want to sell it

laser83 · Feb 9, 2009

The_Muffin_Man said:
Would you be willing to sell the dilda case? Just the case without anything inside? If so i call dibs on it. I have always wanted a dilda ;D

Or i could try to repair it for you (by repair i mean take out the diode and put in a new one with a new driver...)

By " I should also note that the spring connector to the battery came off." do you mean the spring that is attached to the switch on the end of the dilda fell off or the one on the driver?

Thanks

Pm me if you want to sell it

Sounds good I'll send a PM.

Help me get my dilda 200mW laser working again

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