mA, mW, batteries, and drivers

Alessandros · 12-31-2011, 10:46 PM

Hey everybody!
I'm thinking of starting to build my own lasers, so I have a few questions.

Let's say I start with a diode I see online.
Is the power (mW) of the diode generally given?
How do I know what kind of driver to get, and how many milliamps it needs?
Where do I get lenses? Do they come with the module?

Now I have my diode in a module, connected to a driver, a lens, and a host.
Am I missing anything?
How do I know how many Volts I need to power this thing?
Once I know the Voltage, what battery is best?

I know this is a lot of questions, so thank you very much in advance people!
Happy New Year!

ARGLaser · 12-31-2011, 10:54 PM

1) Yes, but the output depends on the lens used
2) The driver you need depends on the current you want to set the diode at and if your host is a 2 cell or 1 cell host
3) Lenses can be bought from Aixiz or Jayrob. A lens comes with the aixiz module, but it can't be used for higher powered diodes or it will melt.
4) Batteries + googles
5) Depends on your driver. Voltage input is different for linear/boost drivers
6) Depends on the host.

rhd · 12-31-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARGLaser

1) Yes, but the output depends on the lens used
2) The driver you need depends on the current you want to set the diode at and if your host is a 2 cell or 1 cell host
3) Lenses can be bought from Aixiz or Jayrob. A lens comes with the aixiz module, but it can't be used for higher powered diodes or it will melt.
4) Batteries + googles
5) Depends on your driver. Voltage input is different for linear/boost drivers
6) Depends on the host.

+1 for you. I think most people would have just told the OP that he/she needed to "do some of his/her own research".

And while that's actually probably good advice (and what I would have said), I'm impressed that you took the time to answer! You're much more patient than I.

ARGLaser · 01-01-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhd

+1 for you. I think most people would have just told the OP that he/she needed to "do some of his/her own research".

And while that's actually probably good advice (and what I would have said), I'm impressed that you took the time to answer! You're much more patient than I.

Thanks

Ghostchrome · 01-01-2012, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhd

+1 for you. I think most people would have just told the OP that he/she needed to "do some of his/her own research".

And while that's actually probably good advice (and what I would have said), I'm impressed that you took the time to answer! You're much more patient than I.

Allow me, good sir!

The, "I want to build a laser", Thread

Welcome to the forums.

Alessandros · 01-03-2012, 02:05 AM

Thanks for the responses.
I have read the "I want to build a laser" thread (my first read!), but I wanted to make sure I understand the basics of lasers.
Where can I read about different kinds of drivers, and what does ARGLaser mean by "setting a diode to a certain current"?

12-31-2011, 10:46 PM	#1
Alessandros Class 1 Laser Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 84 Rep Power: 2	mA, mW, batteries, and drivers Hey everybody! I'm thinking of starting to build my own lasers, so I have a few questions. Let's say I start with a diode I see online. Is the power (mW) of the diode generally given? How do I know what kind of driver to get, and how many milliamps it needs? Where do I get lenses? Do they come with the module? Now I have my diode in a module, connected to a driver, a lens, and a host. Am I missing anything? How do I know how many Volts I need to power this thing? Once I know the Voltage, what battery is best? I know this is a lot of questions, so thank you very much in advance people! Happy New Year!

12-31-2011, 10:54 PM	#2
ARGLaser Class 3B Laser Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 3,956 Rep Power: 232	Re: mA, mW, batteries, and drivers 1) Yes, but the output depends on the lens used 2) The driver you need depends on the current you want to set the diode at and if your host is a 2 cell or 1 cell host 3) Lenses can be bought from Aixiz or Jayrob. A lens comes with the aixiz module, but it can't be used for higher powered diodes or it will melt. 4) Batteries + googles 5) Depends on your driver. Voltage input is different for linear/boost drivers 6) Depends on the host. __________________ Multimedia •Reke-500 RGB •DPSS Hillside Guides •How to Combine Lasers Builds •4.4W 445nm dual diode laser •6W Triple diode laser Laser Power Meters •Laser Power Meter data logging add on •ARGMeter - Open Source Laser Power Meter Other •My Website •My YouTube Channel Away from the forum from the 19th to 26th on a portaging trip. Last edited by ARGLaser; 12-31-2011 at 10:56 PM.

01-03-2012, 02:05 AM	#6
Alessandros Class 1 Laser Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 84 Rep Power: 2	Re: mA, mW, batteries, and drivers Thanks for the responses. I have read the "I want to build a laser" thread (my first read!), but I wanted to make sure I understand the basics of lasers. Where can I read about different kinds of drivers, and what does ARGLaser mean by "setting a diode to a certain current"?

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