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Broken Diode?

Clickey

Clickey

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Mar 15, 2009
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Hey everyone! I have a problem. I extracted the diode from a 16X DVD Burning Drive. The diode was very bright. Compared to a 5mW Laser Diode (Not culminated.) This diode was WAY brighter. I have to say it was around 150mW - 200mW. I wanted to make a burning laser pointer and the extraction of the diode was a success. When I installed the diode in an AxiZ Laser Housing, applied power, and got it firing up, I noticed the diode was not bright at all. Culminated, the max distance is 3 ft. I have no idea how this happened or how to fix. I just want to know if there is a way to prevent this for future laser builds.

This is my first time building a laser. I am very upset that I ruined my first diode.
 





Jimmymcjimthejim

Jimmymcjimthejim

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First of all, welcome to the forum! I would recommend reading the FAQs and getting familiar with the forum.
With all of our first lasers, we always make mistakes. But I have a few questions to ask about your laser:
1. Did you use a regulated driver to power your laser diode?
2. If so, what current were you running it at?
3. Are you sure the diode was collimated?
Good luck!
 
T

The_Muffin_Man

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Oct 27, 2008
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Clickey said:
Hey everyone! I have a problem. I extracted the diode from a 16X DVD Burning Drive. The diode was very bright. Compared to a 5mW Laser Diode (Not culminated.) This diode was WAY brighter. I have to say it was around 150mW - 200mW. I wanted to make a burning laser pointer and the extraction of the diode was a success. When I installed the diode in an AxiZ Laser Housing, applied power, and got it firing up, I noticed the diode was not bright at all. Culminated, the max distance is 3 ft. I have no idea how this happened or how to fix. I just want to know if there is a way to prevent this for future laser builds.

This is my first time building a laser. [highlight]I am very upset that I ruined my first diode[/highlight].
Click to expand...

Join the club! I broke so many when i was starting out i made a diode graveyard.  All the broken diodes i have (from lower powered ones to high powered ones) are in there.  

;D Diode graveyard  ;D :

4 X Stonetek diodes
2 X phr diode
a buttload of assorted diodes (ir, LCC, ect.)

Dont worry its part of the DIY experience  ;)
 
BuildAbluraylaser

BuildAbluraylaser

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Mar 10, 2009
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Some people are really unlucky  ;D. I never break a diode... Maybe it was static... Or when you placed it in the module. Did you dicharge you capacitor before reconnecting the diode? Did you over run it? Many things might have happened. Verify everything.

P.S. : nice toaster Jimmymcjimthejim!!  :D :D
 
Hemlock_Mike

Hemlock_Mike

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Jan 7, 2007
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Welcome to the club indeed :D I toasted a red yesterday and added it to my pile. I lost a $95 808 c-mount last friday to a broken wire. :'(
Stop and study your connections. LOC reds are still around the forum.
Don't give up ------------
Mike
 
Clickey

Clickey

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Hey, well I will show you a picture of my driver circuit along with a schematic, but I think I need to post 10 topics. (I think.) Well yeah.

If you go to PSXBoy, go to Xbox360, I want to buy the violet and Red laser pack. (Not the DVD Sled.)

The circuit is the DDL Circuit, with a 25-ohm pot and 6v Power supply. 4 "AA's"

Hope it works.
 
rog8811

rog8811

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The circuit is the DDL Circuit, with a 25-ohm pot and 6v Power supply. 4 "AA's"
Click to expand...

4 AA batteies is right on the edge of the requires voltage for driving a red, if they are fresh you will get full power out of the LD, once they sag your LM317 will fall out of regulation, I would suggest adding one more battery to your setup.

Regards rog8811
 
Clickey

Clickey

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rog8811 said:
The circuit is the DDL Circuit, with a 25-ohm pot and 6v Power supply. 4 "AA's"
Click to expand...

4 AA batteies is right on the edge of the requires voltage for driving a red, if they are fresh you will get full power out of the LD, once they sag your LM317 will fall out of regulation, I would suggest adding one more battery to your setup.

Regards rog8811
Click to expand...

Do you think 9v Battery would work?
 
Clickey

Clickey

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Yeah, a 9v MIGHT work. I'm not too sure. I know Styropyro used a 9v with a LD driver with a PHR - 8003T. He said in his video that 7.3v Works.
 
Clickey

Clickey

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John Lawson said:
yes 9v will work great but a 9v batt drains perty quick though
Click to expand...
Okay, that's fine. 9v Batteries are ones that I have ample. I might want to buy a few more packs, just to be on the safe side. ;)
 
BuildAbluraylaser

BuildAbluraylaser

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I use a 9v for one of my lasers, its a lower power model, but works great. Take a "duracell", they work longer
 
Clickey

Clickey

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Good, I have quite a few of those. I finished wiring my driver circuit and sealing it in a Project Enclosure box today. Still haven't ordered the laser diode(s) yet.
 
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