Help! New to the forum

[JMoto]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and first of all I want to say that it is really glad to see that so many people are so interested in lasers! I am sure there may be a lot of posts about this on the forum already, but I did not expect to see this much info or this many people on one laser forum... so I am going to ask anyway. I am trying to make/build a laser. I purchased some Red 650nm 6mm 5V 5mW laser diodes the other day, thinking I would just hook up some small batteries and everything would be fine. After doing a little more research though, I have found that I need a diode controller, to protect and run the laser properly.

I am sure there a lot of factors, but can anyone tell me what I need to run these properly? My thought at this point is a resistor, capacitor and switch, but any help or direction would be much appreciated.

Not sure about the quality, but this is what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ITK4PEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you,
J

 

[Encap]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and it is really glad to see that so many people are so interested in lasers. I am sure there may be a lot of posts about this on the forum already, but I did not expect to see this much info or this many people on one laser forum... so here it goes.

I purchased some Red 650nm 6mm 5V 5mW laser diodes the other day, thinking I would just hook up some batteries and everything would be fine. After doing a little more research, I think I have found that I need a diode controller, to protect and run the laser properly.

Does anyone know what I need to run these properly? Any help or direction would be appreciated.

Not sure about the quality, but this is what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ITK4PEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you,
J

Why didn't you but these for $2.32 and free shipping--same thing instead of paying #5.99 plus $4 shipping ? https://www.amazon.com/DTOL-Laser-Diode-Module-650nm/dp/B00R73MC1S/ref=pd_sim_328_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3RKZRGCEMYBRQ6VVK5K8

They don't look like they need anything but a 5V power supply.

Please make a Welcome post in the Welcome sub-forum about yourself and indicate you location in your profile if you expect comments or help.

 

[JMoto]

I am starting out with something small at the moment, but I am trying to work up to something a little more expensive. I suppose I am just cautious, but if I want to run these with batteries, do I just hook up 5V batteries and call it good? If I buy something a little more powerful, do I need anything to protect the laser? If not, why do companies that sell $2 laser pointers use PCB controllers? I feel like I am missing something here.

 

[Encap]

I am starting out with something small at the moment, but I am trying to work up to something a little more expensive. I suppose I am just cautious, but if I want to run these with batteries, do I just hook up 5V batteries and call it good? If I buy something a little more powerful, do I need anything to protect the laser? If not, why do companies that sell $2 laser pointers use PCB controllers? I feel like I am missing something here.

Introduce yourself in a Welcome post as mentioned

What do you imagine the little PCB at the back of those modules is?

Those are 25 cent retail price laser modules.--just hook one up to a 5V power supply.
5V battery? Where do you expect to find one?

If you want to learn--use the LPF custom search at bottom of page and search whatever topic you want or read each forums Sticky threads

 

[JMoto]

I think you are trying to be helpful, but it is coming off incredibly rude. I see that you have already modified one of your posts, but I have now posted on this forum a total of three times and am quickly starting to regret my decision.

 

[Encap]

I think you are trying to be helpful, but it is coming off incredibly rude. I see that you have already modified one of your posts, but I have now posted on this forum a total of three times and am quickly starting to regret my decision.

Please make a Welcome post and indicate your location in your profile if you except any additional help.

Use the LPF Custom Search bar at the bottom of the page to research your questions first.

If your post is not just a bad joke and you don't want to take the time to make a Welcome post nor even try to learn or comprehend something about lasers yourself, why would anyone waste time spoon-feeding you answers?

Maybe buy one of these $1.99 650nm red laser pointers and take it apart https://laserpointerstore.com/mini-series-laser-pointer

If you want to assemble an hand held laser see this thread "LASER Bible : List of everything you need to buy or build a laserpointer or projector ": https://laserpointerforums.com/f44/laser-bible-list-everything-you-need-buy-build-laserpointer-projector-78125.html

 

[NightExplorer96]

Welcome J! :beer:

-Alex

 

[BowtieGuy]

I think you are trying to be helpful, but it is coming off incredibly rude. I see that you have already modified one of your posts, but I have now posted on this forum a total of three times and am quickly starting to regret my decision.

Welcome to LPF JMoto! :yh:

First of all, Encap is trying very hard to be helpful and not rude, as he has suggested, please make a welcome thread and introduce yourself, and also, it's very helpful if you could add your general location to your profile, as it helps us give you more useful information.

Actually what seems rude is a brand new member calling a veteren member rude with only 3 posts to his name, if you look back, he is the only person who has stepped up to help you with your questions.

Edit: Please take his advice, check out the links he's provided, and do a little searching on our custom search bar at the bottom of the page, then come back with your questions.

 

[lasersbee]

I think you are trying to be helpful, but it is coming off incredibly rude. I see that you have already modified one of your posts, but I have now posted on this forum a total of three times and am quickly starting to regret my decision.

Hmmm... Calling a Veteran Rude will not go
well... You have been asked on numerous
posts to introduce yourself in the Welcome
section that you still refuse to do....:undecided:

I guess you reap what you sow....

Jerry

 

[Alien Laser]

welcome to LPF
the laser's you purchased are <5mW or less i have 2 of this i got it as a gift,
just hook up a 3V or 5V and it will turn on i tested 1X and i set it up too 9V , it burned out hehe

 

[paul1598419]

Welcome. The lasers you bought are complete by themselves. All you need to do is apply 5 volts to them and, if you don't wire it backwards, they will lase. You could hook them up to one Li-ion battery if you wanted. You did overpay for them. You can get 10 of these many places for ~$2.50 with free shipping.

 

[Cyparagon]

They have an integrated current-limiting resistor. That is why these particular modules do not require a driver. A regular 3.5-5V on the input will be fine. A resistor is only a viable means of diode protection at low powers, but it is a cheap and effective means.