Dorcy Jr. New Q&A thread

[Glaserfan]

Hello all!

Ok.. I have watched Kenom's Video, and read al the threads I could find in the last year about the Dorcy Jr's.... I still am left with a few questions that hopefully those of you experienced in these can answer.. I just got one of these from Jake21, and would like to get the best out of it, and make the current diode, and any future diodes I may put in it last as long as possible, while putting out the best power. He states he used a 10 ohm resistor and a diode out of a 16x Panasonic DVD burner This seems to be the "safe" version of the build.

Here is my list of questions..

1) What power are you guys getting from these(list the diode/resistor you are using).
2) How is the battey life, and what's the best battery to use..(I am using an energizer E2 lithium)
3) Would a capacitor do any good here? Seems like there is a voltage spike problem with these(diode killer )... OR would that just reduce power too much to be worth it..
4) What mA does the driver seem to put out with the varios resistors? And what's the BEST way to take advantage of it's potential?
5) Is it possible to take advantage of an open can's ability in these(without underpowering/killing it)?

I have to say this is a very convenient host.. Small, only 1 battery, etc. I'd just like to make sure it keeps going. Jake is a good guy and will repair it if needed(actually I elected to take this dorcy instead of him fixing my MDXL(for free), so that he could make a bluray out of the mxdl), BUT I'd rather stock up on parts as needed, and if/when the diode inevitably goes, fix and modify it myself

Maybe this can be a "Best way to build one" thread, instead of a thread mainly about one's personal experence

 

[Kenom]

here is the list of answers.
1. My builds averaged between 130mw-200mw depending on the flashlight. This all depended on the driver that is built into the dorcy as no two drivers are the same. Under load they all put out between 320ma-400ma. I've used ranging from a 1 ohm resistor all the way up to a 10 ohm resistor.

2. battery life is good. Lasts a few weeks of continous use. E2 is the best you can use (do NOT use a rechargable as it spells instant death regardless of your resistor.)

3. there is no need for a capictor as the driver itself has a few on the board. It does not prevent the spike as it's designed for a led not a laser diode. this initial spike is what will kill an open can every time without a resistor.

4. see #1

5. See #3

You can put an open can in this host. but shy of swapping out the driver completely it is a waste of time as the resistor that is NEEDED drops the power down to less than you could easily achieve with a different driver. My thinking is that a lava flex drive would serve perfectly in this host as it's small and would fit.

 

[tone1132]

try reading some of this thread http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1204517381 there is allot of Q&A in there.

 

[Glaserfan]

Kenom, Thanks for your insight! I'll check on the flexdrive

Tone, I read your thread. I was just hoping to get an all-in-one simple thread for anyone interested in building these.

I forgot a couple questions.. for those of you that have these, what is the running record for how long a diode has lasted? Again please mention what diode you used.. And now that I know the drivers seem to vary, how do you determine what resistor to put in there?

 

[tone1132]

mine ususally last 30 days with moderate use, using a 10 ohm resistor.

 

[sk8er4514]

i've been using a 5.1 ohm resistor (1 watt rating) and one of my 16x diodes. i haven't had one burn out on me yet so i'm not sure as to the lifespan. The dot is really bright though

i'm experimenting with open cans in some of them too at the moment but haven't figured out what resistor to use yet, i have some 2.2, 3.3, 4.7, and 5.1 that i'm going to try out. i think my first open can diode was busted from me being too brutal to it during harvesting.

good luck w/ yours though, jake makes a nice dorcy

 

[txcwboy]

Just finished mine moments ago. The dot is pretty big. ???? What I do wrong ? Its in the axis housing and no flash light lens on front but it has the axis housing lens on it.

Dave

 

[tone1132]

Just finished mine moments ago. The dot is pretty big. ???? What I do wrong ? Its in the axis housing and no flash light lens on front but it has the axis housing lens on it.

Dave

Dave..... dude turn the focusing lens to focus the dot. turn this thing.

 

[txcwboy]

Ok thats better. Im still tweaking it. Cant get it to burn anything yet  ;D and I cant find any matches !

thanks !

Dave

 

[txcwboy]

Tweaked it some. I can get it to burn but it burns kinda slow on elec tape.How come you cant feel it burn your finger ? I havent found any matches yet. Are you suppose to have on glasses to play with this ?
Dave

 

[chido]

It won't burn your finger if your skin is light in color. Put on a dot with a black marker and then try to burn yourself again. ;D

 

[txcwboy]

WOWWWWWWW lol didnt take but a spilt second to see that demo go wrong ! LOL
thanks !

Dave

 

[tone1132]

WOWWWWWWW lol didnt take but a spilt second to see that demo go wrong ! LOL
thanks !

Dave

stings huh? and yes, goggles are a good idea while playin with any high power laser.

 

[Glaserfan]

Well that answered that question...POP goes the diode already.. there were 2 10 ohm resistors on it for 5 ohms.. the driver seems to be putting out 267 mA. OH well.. I should have a Lavadrive on its way, and my opencan is waiting in a module.. It will be a kick ASS Dorcy when I am done

 

[txcwboy]

I adjust it to the smallish beam a foot or so from laser. Then when I shine it down range, its huge again . HUH ?? How do the cheapo pointers stay small for a long ways ? Do I need to glue the focus when I got it right ?
thanks
Dave

 

[txcwboy]

OH..i liked the video of how to make it. But it could be done a little better for those who havent made them before. Some details were left out, resistor size, and when he says cut here and I did but I didnt what I was suppose to be cutting. I know THE TRACE but I didnt see anything there.I guess you solder directly on the pads that the wire was on ? ( since mine works I guess I got it right ) Just needed more details and less rambling about silver solder ;D so thanks ! but remake it lol

Dave