Quick and dirty laser pointer (GB diode)

Well it has been a little under two weeks and the diode is still going strong with regular batteries. I try to keep it on for less than 30 seconds and give it a rest between uses. We will see how long it lasts....

You all may already know this, but DX has cases that go over your AAA's to make them AA size.  Do ya'll think that it would be a safe bet to run the 16x dodes straight with AAA's and it last as long as.... lets say a pulsar would?

I was going to put a link, but don't have enough posts.  Just serach "Converter Case" at DX and you can find them.

Anytime you try running straight off of batteries it is a gamble - and you do realize, that the house always wins in the end, right ? So - gambling is a lose-lose situation ! IT is risky, but can be done - you will eventually kill your diode that way, though- it is 100% certain to happen.

Amazingly a year later this laser pointer is still running fine. I currently use Duracell Ultras and have never put a driver in this pointer. I've given it pretty good use but have always used it less than 30 seconds continuously at any one time.

It still burns electrical tape without a problem so I think the power has held up pretty well.

Don

sounds to me like you got a lucky diode! and have been very lucky with voltage spikes!

dsnider said:

Amazingly a year later this laser pointer is still running fine. I currently use Duracell Ultras and have never put a driver in this pointer. I've given it pretty good use but have always used it less than 30 seconds continuously at any one time.

It still burns electrical tape without a problem so I think the power has held up pretty well.

Don

Click to expand...

Now since you said that, It'll die today.  ;D

I built a pointer without a driver and it worked for a really long time (about 7 months) untill one day I sat something on it unknowingly and it ran untill the batteries died.  Let's just say  LD + no driver + no duty cycle = dead diode.  ;D  

It should work well as long as you don't leave it on for too long at once, and use 1.2V batteries.  

Nice bump btw!   ;D