The infrared is almost not worth messing with but the red could take i would expect around 400mA. if you are too afraid of blowing it, use 300 or 350mA
this has been answered many, many times.use the search bar at the bottom of the page. If you ask questions like this (that have been answered many times) before doing very simple and easy research of your own, you will get negative feedback from people. Please, research first, and if you cant find your answer, THEN make a thread.
i thought that is it FAQ about red laser from DVD RW, but i am looked for but i didn't find this information.
maybe it will be interesting for somebody. i want to use another IC1 maybe MCP6022 and 5V power source and Q1 some FET http://www.fastimages.eu/images/currentsou.png
when i am built my first laser projector with steppers motors,
so i am proposed this laser driver with blanking for green laser diode from laser pen. it's very complex :shhh:
as blanking source i am used TL494 so i can change frequency and PWM really interesting. i want to change whole module for a little processor but i fuck it.
i do not expect that it will be, as laser projector with galvo, but galvo is very expensive for my requirements and spirograph with DC motors already i don't want to use. GreenLaserMAX - YouTube
The current depends how old or what the write speed is of the DVD writer. The older ones can't take 350-400mA. It will burned out the laserdiode right away.
I believe that is the famous long open can. Some of those can take upwards of 450mA depending on how
good of a heatsink they are in. Keep an eye (or a finger) on the heat until you know what your heatsink is
capable of.