Recent content by Abray

I haven't even used it yet....and thanks to your answer, I most likely won't be. I had noticed the DC power supplies definitely could not supply enough current, but when I asked the lab prof if they had any equipment that could generate enough voltage and current, he said yes. Maybe I'll just...

The Invisible Children group came to my school a couple years ago! It's good to see that this is still alive and gaining support.

Hey, I'm a sophomore in college and I'm working on a DIY blue laser (440nm I believe), sitting on a breadboard for now. Since it's relatively high powered, I'm going to want to run it at around 1A, I'll need about 9V for the driver I'm using, etc. cookie cutter blue. The driver will be a very...

Alright, I'll see if there's any way I can generate enough current for this circuit (stupid greedy LD!). Is there any "standard" set of batteries to get this much current at this voltage? Also, is there anyway to calculate how much current batteries could put out, or is it more of a trial and...

Thank you! I figured it would be some stupid little problem like this haha. Just out of curiosity, why can't it provide enough current? And is there any way to tell before hand which batteries can and can't? EDIT: I know a little about circuits, but this is obviously something i\I haven't...

I actually used that current calculator when I was putting the circuit together haha. And if this circuit should ultimately be regulating the current, is there any reason to calculate the voltage? It should be getting enough from the battery how it is set up, and we also tried putting multiple...

I apologize if this has been covered anywhere. I searched, researched, and looked through all the first page threads and couldn't find anything similar, and now i'm stuck. I just purchased the popular A 140 445nm diode, and my driver is having issues. Before deciding on a permanent host for it...

I think i might have tried learning VB at one point, but never got the hang of it. Then I took a computer programming class at my high school and learned a little bit of Java. Maybe it was just cause we had a teacher teaching us, but Java was easier to learn. I would suggest that with whatever...

ok let's say I wanted to set up a WTB thread for some of the parts, would I post it here or in the buy sell trade section? buy sell trade seems like it's specifically for lasers, not other electronic goods...

along with finding the correct capacitors, I've seen many places that the quality of the spark gap metal matters. I've heard tungsten is the best to be used? and are there any other gaps or parts that have a particular kind that is the "best" to use that I should know about?

Well I'd rather wind one myself instead of having to buy one so if you want it you can have it haha. But those videos really helped. I think i'll be able to understand most things I read about testa coils that i'll need to know!

haha just looked at google. what a coincidence I'm asking about tesla coils today! starting the second video right now, had to take a break after the first one to do some laundry (LOL). The first video actually really helped, though! Also, is it difficult to correctly wind the secondary coil...

yes, spark gap tesla coils is the type I would make. watching the videos now

I think I have enough money to buy the stuff for a tesla coil. With that said, a while ago I took time to try and read up on how a tesla coil works, and how you go about creating one. Now since the only real electronics education I've gotten (until next year when I'm taking physics) is from...

That was actually a really tough question. I need to pull out both my lasers to have a look at them right now. I think what jayrob said kinda applies to my situation. The blu-ray beam is really bright, I think brighter than what my red would be assuming they were at same power. Although the red...