Question about 532nm Build

[Danny K]

I was planning on building my first laser in an Altoids tin. I got the idea from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7JavGjcb0Y
But this module is out of stock: 200mW 532nm Green Laser Module (3V 11.9mm) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme any idea when it will be back in stock.
Or this video seems kind of old, any better modules out with maybe a bit more power for similar price?

Thanks :na:

 

[Pi R Squared]

That seems like too low a price for 200mW, 532nm gets expensive real fast as the power goes up, anyway you don't want more power than that in an Altoids tin or it will get hot too fast. 200mW or more needs good heat sinking.

 

[Danny K]

Ok, well any idea when this module will be back in stock?

 

[Pi R Squared]

Sorry I have no idea. I would just check back every day until they have it again. Maybe someone else here will come along and suggest an alternative.

 

[vortish]

you can find 200 mw 660 nm 650nm on ebay for cheap. @200 mw 523 nm green modules are like 30-100 bucks.. If I was you I try survival lasers or a couple others.. A couple members on lpf sell diodes and modules.. DTR comes to mind but his modules are not really expensive but not crap either buy quality not crap other wise it wont last

 

[Danny K]

So is this a crappy module? And I know it outputs 100-150mw not 200.
...and survival laser/dtr don't have 532nm.

 

[vortish]

I did not say it was crappy it just a lot of the stuff from deal extreme is china manufactured and some of it can be be more Ir than color... Talk to the vets around LPF they will tell you to go to one of the lpf members to get modules because they are legit... I am fairly new as well so I dont know every thing... All the reading threads I have done says to try to get either usa made diodes or modules or from a reputable china dealer and most of the stuff on deal extreme have not be verified as reputable dealers is all I am saying.. A lot of the reputable dealer for china are on LPF and those are the ones that you should buy from TechHoody on ebay would be one of those... One other thing is Deal Extreme has a issue taking payments from some states in the US I live in washington state and can not seem to get a order done on that site... It is like Fasttech.com some members have had good luck with deal extreme and some have not gotten their stuff.. I have had good luck with Fasttech if it was me and had enough money i would buy from a member on LPF but if that is all you have there are other sites that have what your looking for but they are more reputable than some of the drop ship sites.

here is one from TechHood

http://www.ebay.com/itm/532nm-100mw...743?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d9a54627

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200mW-532nm...003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cada06603

I have bought from both dealers good products

 

[paul1598419]

Danny, I would try : aptlightingworld. They are a seller on eBay that consistently have these type modules with drivers attached open for bids. Your best chance to get one of these as cheaply as possible is to log onto eBay and search for this seller, then look at the large number of 532nm laser modules they have to bid on, and find one you like, then bid. These type modules have short duty cycles unless you do certain things once you get one. First, remove the tactile switch that is on the driver board. Use a piece of straight wire instead of the switch. Then get a small heat sink for the driver output transistor and use it there. I have several that would work for you and I could send you one free of charge if you PM me. Next, you need to put it in a host, as these will overheat quickly if not heat sinked. Any inexpensive host that will hold a 12mm AixiZ module will do. The case is positive, but the driver regulates the negative side, so you can mount it into a host and put a spring contact on the back end of the driver board, then you can put the single 3.7 volt Li-ion battery in negative side first. The switch on the host will work for your build, and you then will have a 100-200mW laser. Feel free to PM me with questions as I have built many 532nm green lasers.

 

[vortish]

paul - I live about four hours east of you

 

[Danny K]

Ok, I will check it out. Thanks for the offers. Also do any of these modules focus? I have a 3 element glass lens that I didn't need from the 445nm module I used in my Survival Laser. And my host will be an Altoids tin.

 

[Pi R Squared]

I suppose you can also take a look at Aliexpress. Here's one 532nm 200mW green laser module(DOT) 13x51mm DC3V from91Laser-in EL Products from Electronic Components & Supplies on Aliexpress.com and there are others Shop laser 532nm module 200mW online - Buy laser 532nm module 200mW for unbeatable low prices on AliExpress.com but I would try the free one from paul and later buy one if its not good enough. Anyway it takes a month or so from HK/China.

 

[paul1598419]

Danny K, there is no need to focus this laser as it is already focused as well as it can be, and the beam dimensions are very tight. A very small focused beam. If you plan on using an Altoids box, expect a duty cycle of 20 seconds or less.

vortish, yeah, now that you mention it, we do live relatively close together. If you ever find yourself coming my way I will give you directions and you can look over all my lasers and laser stuff. I have accumulated a lot of stuff since I started to work with lasers again after taking a 20 year sabbatical. Those were my hologram years, in the late 80s and early 90s.

 

[Danny K]

Oh did Paul offer a module for free? I thought you meant parts.

 

[Pi R Squared]

I too am 4 hours from you vortish and about 3 to 3 1/2 hours from you paul (Tulalip 10 miles from Marysville. The area between us shall now be referred to as the Washington triangle LOL. I have never seen three of us from WA in one thread before.

Alan

 

[crazyspaz]

just get one from fasttech, here. They are pot adjustable, and while increasing the current to the diode may shorten its life...who cares. they are only 5$. No point in spending 30$ for the exact same thing with a higher powered label on it.

 

[paul1598419]

Danny K, I offered the heat sink for the driver output transistor free. The modules are a bit more expensive, though I do have 4 or 5 left right now. Here's a secret, somebody on Jmillerrdoc's wandering box of laser goods will get a nice surprise.