Whats wrong with my diode?

razeman · Jul 12, 2009

Hello, have my laser setup, running at 420mA, its an open can, think is like that; came from a LG GSA H55 22X double layer DVD burner. The problem is it can't burn anything. Its focused and all but nothing... may it be damaged?

Greetings

Meatball · Jul 12, 2009

Is it a pretty darn bright dot? Does the dot feel hot on your skin?

razeman · Jul 12, 2009

No, it isn't darn bright or even slightly hot at all. And dunno why but my current regulator, the LM137 (think is like that) is quite hot. maybe is the voltage? I'm inputting 9v.

Grix · Jul 12, 2009

I've heard that some 9V batteries can't output more than ~90mA, try powering it using 6x AAA batteries/ a couple of lithiums

Meatball · Jul 12, 2009

good idea. If that doesn't work, I may have to suspect your diode as the culprit. You're using the lm317 DDL circuit? How many ohms do you have on that output pin? It should be ~3 ohms..

But again, maybe ESD got to your diode...

razeman · Jul 12, 2009

I'm not using any kind of battery just an adaptor that can output to 1.2A.

Don't get what you mean with "How many ohms do you have on that output pin", I'm only measuring the current. I'm not using any kind of resistance, only my pot to control the current.

I think the ESD could be the cause.

Krutz · Jul 12, 2009

did you measure the current directly between the diode and the driver?
how bright is it? compared to a cheap 1$ pointer? is it blindingly bright when you watch the dot on the wall from a meter away?

manuel

razeman · Jul 12, 2009

Yes I did, between the diode and the driver.
How bright, well... as if the pointer was low on battery, very dim...

its damaged, can't see any other cause...

The thing is I've ruined 3 of this 22x diodes... 4 with this one...

Mohrenberg · Jul 12, 2009

most likely you've killed the diode in the process of harvesting it or soldering it.....

you can get these from modwerx.com already harvested and put into a module....and for alot cheaper than your paying for these dvd drives.

razeman · Jul 12, 2009

Maybe its is that. Also checked modwerx.com and the prices in there are higher than mine, but thanks anyways.

rog8811 · Jul 13, 2009

How sure are you that your pot is the correct value?
If you have 100ohm you can get away with no fixed resistor ( the 3ohm mentioned above [resistor ~5cents....LD ~$15:undecided:]).
If it is 1kohm you will kill the LD everytime as all the adjustment is in the last little bit of the pot and with no fixed resistor you could easily apply 1.2A to the LD.

Regards rog8811

Darkarmyofone · Jul 13, 2009

Yeah, you need to check the current.

ALSO red lasers that are focused to INFINITY "where the dot is the same size near and far" it will not burn very well...

UNSCREW your lens about 5 turns, then turn the laser on, move the laser closer or farther away from the target until the dot is as small as a pinpoint, it will instantly burn IF you have the right amount of current.

at 420mAh you should be able to see the beam easily, but like stated above, 9v batteries do not have enough current "mAh" to power a red diode in most cases. try a few 3v CR123 batteries, you cant go wrong.

Dark

The_Muffin_Man · Jul 13, 2009

My first laser would burn either. It was a stonetek (senkat) red diode with a rkcstr driver (300mA) and a 9V battery. It was bright and all but it wouldnt burn. I was bored so i desoldered the 9v battery clip and soldered on a 6v (4 AA) pack that i had lying around. I turned it on and it was eating away at everything...try changing the voltage to 6V.

It sounds like your diode is blown though...Sorry! Its part of being a DIYer...i broke over 100 dollars in diodes. Not fun.

Whats wrong with my diode?

razeman

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Meatball

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razeman

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Grix

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Meatball

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razeman

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Krutz

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razeman

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Mohrenberg

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razeman

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rog8811

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Darkarmyofone

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The_Muffin_Man

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