Going to Build my first laser need help!!!

• Jun 15, 2011

• #1

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mustang51

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Ok I know these questions are going to sound noobish to most of you but this is my first build and I cant afford to mess something up.

I'm going to build a blue 1 W laser

I already have a host and heat sink

I ordered a Micro Flexdrive V5 and a 445nm 2W Blue Laser Diode

Is this the right board board for this diode or did I but the wrong one?

I've also seen some sellers on ebay say to short ''SHORT YOUR DRIVER LEADS BEFORE CONNECTING YOUR DIODE TO MAKE SURE THE CAPACITOR IS DISCHARGED''

What they mean by that is to ground it right?

The recommended wire wire to use is 24 AWG silicone insulted wire! Can I get it at radio shack?

What batteries do you guys recommend?

Is there anything else I need?

And do you guys have any recommendations?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #2

lazeerer

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mustang51 said:

Ok I know these questions are going to sound noobish to most of you but this is my first build and I cant afford to mess something up.

I'm going to build a blue 1 W laser

I already have a host and heat sink

I ordered a Micro Flexdrive V5 and a 445nm 2W Blue Laser Diode

Is this the right board board for this diode or did I but the wrong one?

I've also seen some sellers on ebay say to short ''SHORT YOUR DRIVER LEADS BEFORE CONNECTING YOUR DIODE TO MAKE SURE THE CAPACITOR IS DISCHARGED''

What they mean by that is to ground it right?

The recommended wire wire to use is 24 AWG silicone insulted wire! Can I get it at radio shack?

What batteries do you guys recommend?

Is there anything else I need?

And do you guys have any recommendations?

Click to expand...

What they mean is Rub the +/- leads together.

The Silicone wire can only be bought from a couple members here. Just do a search and you will find them. No you cannot buy this wire at Radioshack. But on the other hand you can use any wire really.

What ever battery your host takes. It must be a 3.6v/3.7v cell. But when fully charged it will be 4.2V. We dont know the host you are using need more details to say exact battery.

Yes. Laser Safety Goggles.!!!!! This is a Must Have.
Eagle Pair® 190-540nm Standard Laser Safety Goggles

Build yourself a test load or buy one. Contact Flaminpyro Here for a test load>:
http://laserpointerforums.com/members/flaminpyro/

A battery Charger for your cell:
$11.72 - UltraFire 3.6/3.7V Battery Charger - Chargers

A Lens. Aixiz.com.!!! Or contact qumefox
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/qumefoxs-sale-thread-hosts-lenses-etc-62271.html

A Multimeter to use with your testload to set the currant.

You have alot ahead of you. You need to do alot more reading. The information above is a start.

 

Last edited: Jun 15, 2011

• Jun 15, 2011

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mustang51

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is the test load just to check the out put of the Micro Flexdrive? why cant I just use the multimeter by it self for that?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #4

lazeerer

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What a testload does is simulate a diode so you can properly set the currant. Justing using a DMM will not work because there is nothing there to simulate the diode or load. You will kill your driver if you try that.!! A flex drive has to be powered on with a load.

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #5

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mustang51

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heres a test load example but he didn't specify the value of the diodes

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #6

lazeerer

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The Are 1NXXX Type diodes. You can find them at Radioshack But you will need a 1ohm resistor. Witch i know none of my Radioshack sells. You might get lucky though and they will have one.!

Or just buy one online.

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #7

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mustang51

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I built a digital thermometer and a EKG for a class I know where I can get that resistor! so that test load schematic is good enough?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #8

lazeerer

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Well then you should be able to build your laser then and dont need my help.

:beer:

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #9

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mustang51

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how many watts should the resistor be?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #10

Wolfman29

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I always use 10W resistors for test loads, but that's because my local RadioShack carries those.

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #11

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mustang51

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Is 30 AWG Wire to thin is it ok to use?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #12

Kevlar

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What current are you going to set your flexdrive at?

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #13

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mustang51

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I was going to set it to around 950 mW!

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #14

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if this is your first laser you may want to start out with low power.
don't make your first laser one that can ruin your eyesight if you get hit.

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #15

Kevlar

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30AWG should be ok, just make sure its multi-stranded so its flexible. People use the wire from old computer mice cord and ethernet wire but the silcone wire sold by a couple of members is the best.

You should use a 1W rated resisted on your test load, or two 1/2W in series.

 

• Jun 15, 2011

• #16

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mustang51

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thats a good Idea but I already ordered the diode and drive all I need now are the goggles and decide what gauge wire to use. I was thinking of using some 22 AWG wire I have or some 30 AWG wire!