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Red diode from DVD BURNER

A

asvestomix

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hello,
I decided my first laser project not to be an expensive powerful violet but just a cheepy one that i extracted from a DVD BURNER and put it in a cheep small flash light,

so i have those components and i have this as a power source (dont mind the 2 cables i just soldered them to check if the diode works, btw they are 3 small batteries that i think the total power they produce is 4,5v ) , now my question is what driver do i need so the laser would perform nice and bright with those 3 AAA batteries , what module and do i need a heat sink ?
 
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Z

Zenador

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Hi asvestomix,

What DVD burner did that diode come from? You will need to know what type of diode it is to determine the power needed to drive it. Also, I wouldn't recommend driving the diode direct from the batteries, you'll probably end up killing it.

Running from 3 AAA is doable, probably need one of Dr. Lava drivers, there is lots on them in the drivers section of LPF. I would recommend buying rechargeable Li-Ion 10440 and a charger for this one.

You also will need an aixiz (collimator) for the laser diode.

I've picked up stuff from hightechdealz.com and batteryjunction.com for my builds.

I bought a cheap host from a store and did the same. LOC-815 @ 375mA, 2x 10440 Li-Ion, and a home built LM317 driver. The heat-sink is an old computer chipset sink, used a dremel to cut to size, and a drill press for the Aixiz... The result was this:

Original next to the 815.
5577079753_ee24e42b86.jpg


The original was a 5 UV LED flashlight, 10 white LED, and a <1mw red pointer. I bought 3, 1 down, 2 to go.

Cheers,

Zen
 
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A

asvestomix

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sorry i am not sure what was the dvd burner but i think it was 16x if that helps, is there any way to determine what type is the diode?
 
chipdouglas

chipdouglas

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you will need boost driver. go to www.o-like.com you will need to follow the directions exactly to set it up.
but in short.... you need to make a dummy/test load. it simulates the current/voltage draw of your laser diode. you hook that up to your driver and use a multimeter. the turn the pot to your desired value. make sure you short out your driver to itself after or the voltage stored in the cap could kill your diode.

michael.
 
A

asvestomix

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Mar 28, 2011
Messages
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chipdouglas said:
you will need boost driver. go to www.o-like.com you will need to follow the directions exactly to set it up.
but in short.... you need to make a dummy/test load. it simulates the current/voltage draw of your laser diode. you hook that up to your driver and use a multimeter. the turn the pot to your desired value. make sure you short out your driver to itself after or the voltage stored in the cap could kill your diode.

michael.
Click to expand...
i Cant find the boost driver.. i am confused it seems very complicated
 
A

asvestomix

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Messages
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Zenador said:
Hi asvestomix,

What DVD burner did that diode come from? You will need to know what type of diode it is to determine the power needed to drive it. Also, I wouldn't recommend driving the diode direct from the batteries, you'll probably end up killing it.

Running from 3 AAA is doable, probably need one of Dr. Lava drivers, there is lots on them in the drivers section of LPF. I would recommend buying rechargeable Li-Ion 10440 and a charger for this one.

You also will need an aixiz (collimator) for the laser diode.

I've picked up stuff from hightechdealz.com and batteryjunction.com for my builds.

I bought a cheap host from a store and did the same. LOC-815 @ 375mA, 2x 10440 Li-Ion, and a home built LM317 driver. The heat-sink is an old computer chipset sink, used a dremel to cut to size, and a drill press for the Aixiz... The result was this:

Original next to the 815.
5577079753_ee24e42b86.jpg


The original was a 5 UV LED flashlight, 10 white LED, and a <1mw red pointer. I bought 3, 1 down, 2 to go.

Cheers,

Zen
Click to expand...

sorry but the more i search the more i get confused.. so i have an idontknow diode from a dvd burner probably a 16x , could you give me some links to some proper drivers ? i will let the host set up for last, first of all i need to get it to work correctly, now i can just run it direct from the batteries but i am afraid of braking it , i am noob in electronics and i hope i can make it at last :S sorry if i became tedious .
 
Z

Zenador

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Hi asvestomix,

There are quite a few different drivers out there, and choice is dependant on what diode you are driving, the host size, the batteries you want to use, etc.

If you want to get it running today (you still need an aixiz mind you) - build your own circuit. Read this "Laser Driver - It Can Be Done" by Rog8811. Build the driver and the test load, you should be able to get the parts at radio-hack or another electronics parts store.

On the o-like site, pre-made drivers are under the laser accessories section, as are safety glasses (i.e. buy some.)

After you build (or have bought) your driver and test load, set it to about 80mA, and test the diodes.

Because we don't have any info on the DVD burner, it's going to be difficult to tell the max current the diode can take. Are there any printed numbers on the side of the can?

Z
 
A

asvestomix

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Firstly thank you all for your time , it was my mistake to extract the driver from the dvd burner without to check what was the burner so its ok if i cant run it at the max, right now i don't think i can built my own driver and i think it doesn't worth it because the drivers that are on sale are cheap , so you recommended me 2x 10440 Li-Ion what driver you think would be ok i can use 3x aaa batteries too if that helps
 
Z

Zenador

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3x AAA is only 4.5Vout, where each 10440 is ~4v fully charged. Most drivers require a certain voltage to operate (called Vdrop here), as does the diode. If you add the Vdrop to the forward voltage needed by the diode (Vf) you will know what total voltage supply is needed from your batteries. The 317, and most other drivers have a Vdrop of 1.2V, Red DVD burner diodes have a Vf of 3.xV IIRC, so you'll be right at the limit. That said, the AAA can't really supply the current needed.

A Micro Boost driver would be (I think) the only driver capable of running the LD on 3x AAA. Someone else with experience on the smaller pre-fab drivers can correct me if I'm wrong. Building the driver yourself (LM317, 1117, 1085, etc) should only run you a few bucks, as opposed to $10 - $23 for the pre-fab ones.

The rechargeable Li-Ion cells will pay for themselves 400x over. Worth the $ IMO, if you are going to be in this hobby for some time...

I also picked up an adjustable 1A wall-wart for testing. Constant power supply for building and testing drivers.. Set it to 6,9,or 12V with a smoothing capacitor, and bob's your uncle.
 
A

asvestomix

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Zenador said:
3x AAA is only 4.5Vout, where each 10440 is ~4v fully charged. Most drivers require a certain voltage to operate (called Vdrop here), as does the diode. If you add the Vdrop to the forward voltage needed by the diode (Vf) you will know what total voltage supply is needed from your batteries. The 317, and most other drivers have a Vdrop of 1.2V, Red DVD burner diodes have a Vf of 3.xV IIRC, so you'll be right at the limit. That said, the AAA can't really supply the current needed.

A Micro Boost driver would be (I think) the only driver capable of running the LD on 3x AAA. Someone else with experience on the smaller pre-fab drivers can correct me if I'm wrong. Building the driver yourself (LM317, 1117, 1085, etc) should only run you a few bucks, as opposed to $10 - $23 for the pre-fab ones.

The rechargeable Li-Ion cells will pay for themselves 400x over. Worth the $ IMO, if you are going to be in this hobby for some time...

I also picked up an adjustable 1A wall-wart for testing. Constant power supply for building and testing drivers.. Set it to 6,9,or 12V with a smoothing capacitor, and bob's your uncle.
Click to expand...


each 10440 is the same size like an aaa? if yes then it is not problem i could use 3 at the same time in my mini flashlight
 
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chipdouglas

chipdouglas

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yes a 10440 fits in the same spot as a AAA. but note that protected 10440s will not fit in the AAA cartridge. so get un protected ones. but you can not use 10440 in place of regular batteries because you will have 3x the rated voltage. you need a driver that can handle that much power.

michael.
 
A

asvestomix

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chipdouglas said:
yes a 10440 fits in the same spot as a AAA. but note that protected 10440s will not fit in the AAA cartridge. so get un protected ones. but you can not use 10440 in place of regular batteries because you will have 3x the rated voltage. you need a driver that can handle that much power.

michael.
Click to expand...
thank you for your reply , now to the part that confusing me the most , the driver, lets just say i have all i need but the driver ( diode , heat-sink 3x10440 ,flash-light as a host), what driver should i use, should i make it my self or buy it?
 
chipdouglas

chipdouglas

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if you are using 3 10440 you will need a linear driver such as the lm317. but diy it is big and bulky. so unless you have a large enough host, you wont have room. luckily there are compact premade drivers for 20 bucks or less. there is rkcstr driver and dr. lava makes one as well but i forgot the name of it.
since you already have a flash light host you will more than likely need a pre made pcb type driver. good luck

now if you want to keep and use 3 aaa alkalines that their total voltage is 4.5 then you will need a boost driver.

once you get it all done make sure to post pix of your build and your beam!!!!

also remember what ever route you go, you will need to set the current on your driver. for that you will need a digital multi meter and a test load.

michael.
 
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