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Help with a DVD Burner

AzzaLT

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Oct 11, 2011
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Hello! I have recently got interested in this laser hobby! I come from Australia and its hard to buy a complete laser that burns and or is 1mw+. I have decided to make my own simple burning laser that pops balloons etc.

I have had this old DVD burner/writer laying around my house. I'm just wanting to know if it is capable of burning.

Here it is: DVR-111DBK (Archived) - Pioneer Europe

Thanks in advance!
 





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Apr 27, 2011
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Yes, hopefully its in a common package. (TO-18)
Welcome to the forum:D
Chris :)
 
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LaZeRz

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Feb 19, 2011
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Yeh, it will be able to burn since its a dvd burner. But, the diode could be a different shape than the normal round 5.6mm diode. You will have to open it to find out :)

Also, make sure you have safety glasses! And if you have any in-depth questions, feel free to PM me :)

btw, welcome to LPF :wave:

EDIT: Chris beat me to it.
 
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Sep 11, 2012
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Hi i have just made a lm317 driver powering a dvd burner diode on 6volts and the diode was very dim and it lasts about 10 seconds. Do you have any idea what i did wrong.
 

IsaacT

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@JWHITEY: Did you make sure to use an antistatic environment? Static electricity is more than enough to fry diodes, so if you didn't observe precautions against it, it is possible you damaged the diode. Also, it is possible you don't have enough voltage. For my DIY LM317 builds, I use a 9V battery to power it, and mine are fine.

I'd try a higher voltage battery first. If it isn't that, then you probably damaged the diode in some way either through extraction, storage, or soldering(heat is a b***h). Also, bear in mind that the diode could have just been dying :/ if it was old enough, it may have just been dying anyways.

Best thing to do is just try again. You get better with practice, and when you get a good solid laser that you made from scratch, it is one of the best feelings ever. :D

Hope that helps,
Isaac


EDIT: Also, to the OP, welcome to the forum! Make sure and read the stickies, they are very informative, and may answer many of the questions you already have! :)
 
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Thanks alot. I tryed 3 different diodes and they all blew. I tested the polarity with 2 AA batterys and they were very dim. I have seen videos on youtube using 2 AA and they are 250mw.
 

IsaacT

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You should look up the polarity instead of testing with batteries. If you send a current the wrong way it will mess up the diode. I think using a voltmeter works but I don't remember how, try searching the forums. Also, check the diodes thread in tutorials for common pinouts.
 

IsaacT

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DVD Burners should all have class 1 labelled on them because under normal operation, the laser could never pose any risk of harm at all due to the fact that it is fully enclosed.
 

IsaacT

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Look at these threads:

For Diode Pinouts: Diodes Compilation Thread

For Soldering Tips and Tricks: Soldering Tutorial

From the sounds of it, you already know how to make an LM317 Driver. Lastly, just hook them all up. I like to incorporate a switch cuz it makes me feel safe. I worry that when I connect the battery if it is automatically on it will cause problems.
 
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Are you just trolling, JWHITEY? Go do some reading on the forum. We're not going to hand-hold you through the entire process.
 




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