Video Tutorial for Building DDL's Driver

This video was posted by Phazonx at metacafe and I don't think he has posted a link to it here at LPF:
(CREDITS GO TO DAEDAL FOR DESIGNING THIS LASER DIODE DRIVER, AND TO PHAZONX (LPF USERNAME) METACAFE USERNAME PHAZONXL FOR MAKING THE VIDEO)

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1011559/diy_how_to_make_a_laser_diode_driver_circuit/

Newbies, a driver or circuit regulates and limits the current going to the laser diode so it doesn't die.
IF YOU CONNECT THE LD (LPF slang for laser diode) DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERIES IT CAN DIE INSTANTLY, AND EVEN IF IT DOESN'T IT STILL WON'T LIVE FOR LONG.

very nice! could you list the parts on here so i could just print it and go 2 radioshack?... nvm, ddl listed the parts, nice video again!! ;D ;D

maybe now i will make one!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

RATSHACK PARTS ;D

Thank God someone did a video tuturial on that, the diagrams at the end left me with so many questions. Seeing it hands on is a HUGE relief, as ive been racking my brain and now the little light bulb in my head has turned on. fantastic!!!
I would give anything to see a link of someone DMM test a driver and module and power supply!!!!
Reading up on dummy load testing and trying to figure out how to test for mA's in all the right places, is a difficult task for someone new to electronics to do without actually seeing it. I guess I should just speak for myself here
I have found it impossible to find anything like this on the internet, This I think would be a very important and useful to all.
I heard you can test a diode with a DMM and it can tell you the wavelength, power, where the pos and neg pins are,etc. by turning the DMM dial to the little anode/cathode symbol, usually located on the bottom left on the DMM.
Thanx for your work on the vid and sharing!
Al

I hope he gets to 20,000 views soon, it's a good video.

laser noob question: so with this driver you then connect the aixiz module to it? or is it not needed at all?

Check this thread:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185701612

T H A N K Y O U

Pardon me :
I have a question about testing this with a meter to get exact values...
I also have a question about the pot.

The pot adjusts current, voltage or both? (the way i understand it is the pot adjusts the mA and the voltage stays the same) how do you achieve an exact voltage?

I have an old digitek ds830b multimeter that i cannot find a picture of anywhere. It says 500v, 200ma max... looks like dc only.
what do i set this to so that i can read the MW and MA going to the LD? (i have 3 settings on the meter that say mA. one is alone and just says '200 ma', the other 2 settings are together saying '1.5v' and '9v' and has 'mA' written between them).
For voltage im assuming to use the '20' setting? or should i use the '2000m' setting?

sorry, im a bit of a noob.
I appreciate any help!

could you not just put a 10ohm resistor on the live terminal of ur diode and hook it up and itll be fine?

and also, i was gona use a mains power supply that drops the power down to 3 VDC and wasnt sure, will i still need the resistor etc for this (im guessing yes) will i need a bigger resistor?

lol