*** THREADS OF INTEREST ***

[Daedal]

Seeing that the stickies are covering most of the first screen, I have compiled all of that into a neat and organized thread that houses everything in one place. This thread will be updated regularly to make sure nothing important gets astray. For suggestions or additions, please PM one of the moderators and it will be taken care of shortly

Public Notice:
HOOKING YOUR LASER DIODE DIRECTLY TO BATTERIES WILL KILL IT IMMEDIATELY!!!



Excellent full guide to making your own laser from a DVD-Burner laser diode by Kenom:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1181635652

Another guide for making your own laser from a DVD-Burner laser diode:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186966870

How to make a laser from a MiniMag:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185702678

Complete guide for making your own laser diode driver:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185701612

How to properly insert a laser diode into AixiZ module:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190209066

Modifying an eBay-ser:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1177067024

Excellent and cheap yet very effective way to add IR filtering to a green laser:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1171231216

How resistors work:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189829304

TEC Cooling and condensation concerns:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1188199703

A nice and easy way to make circuit diagrams:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1188275505

How to open a laser without leaving tool marks:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1185074869

DealExtreme 30mW detailed circuit board pictures, schematic diagram, and circuit analysis:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1188440672

Compact and easy to make spirograph:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186862602

Combining green and red to make yellow:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190324726

How to 'simulate' a laser diode for testing your circuit:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190170289

Power Curve for the SenKat GB diodes by Hemlock Mike:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190584864

Hemlock Mike was at it again with a power curve for the BluRay Diodes:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189562336/421#421

Excellent thread with loads on info on drivers, diodes, and petliers
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1197272621




Work in progress:

Kenom's 'Slim' Dorcy mod:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1190042606



Thank you all for the continued contributions and participation. It is the work of all the kind and generous people here that dedicate their time to share their experiences and knowledge with the rest of us that makes this place a good learning experience.

--DDL

 

[shadow_pawn84]

I am having trouble......ok, I'm pretty sure that I am smart, but for the life of me, I cant understand the schematics and the tutorial... :'( I purchased the DIY kit from STONETEK and as my first project with electronic components, I am completely and utterly lost! since (I have everything i need to make it, i just see alot of holes in the board and have NO CLUE where to solder the mystery components,,,) I am having alot of trouble, so i was wondering if it would be possible to make a step by step version of the tutorial with pictures of the shit that comes with the DIY Kit. Thanks you and keep up the good work!

 

[dataplumber9]

I am having trouble......ok, I'm pretty sure that I am smart, but for the life of me, I cant understand the schematics and the tutorial...

Although electronic projects like this are not rocket-science, it's likely beyond the skill level of beginners. Every experimenter here has been in your predicament at some time.

I would start with a painfully simple and unrewarding flashlight bulb and battery circuit, just to learn the fundamentals of following a schematic diagram and constructing the circuit. (Side note: You would be surprised at how many electrical engineers would be unable to make a bulb and battery work together despite the utter simplicity!) Once you do this step, you can be ready for LEDs and then laser diodes!

Since nobody else has responded to your question, I can help with more info. Whatcha think?

 

[wooooooolazer]

Re: ***  THREADS OF INTEREST  ***

Well no one else really responded because this is not really the right place... if you put a new thread in the general section or experiments-mods section im sure you would get much more response.

..lazer... ;D ;D ;D

 

[Spyderz20x6]

Re: ***  THREADS OF INTEREST  ***

Hi,

I have an 780nm 200mW NIR laser diode. It runs using 130mA and 2.4V. I want to house this in a Dorcy Jr. and i was wondering what resistor and silicone diode i should use to lower 300mA to 130mA and 3V to 2.4V. How should i connect it? in series or parallel? I would really appreciate an answer.

Thanks

BTW, here is the data sheet for the NIR laser diode: www.zet.biz/Laser/Data/gh0780ma2c.pdf


It would also help if i got a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to do it.

 

[Things]

Re: ***  THREADS OF INTEREST  ***

The answer is 3 posts above yours!!! It may say its for red diodes, but using a NIR in it would be simple enough.

 

[Zom-B]

Isn't it an idea to make a central place for laser curves? Since I bought a power meter I'm collecting curves on my computer of most diodes I get my hands on, sometimes posting them in random threads. Hemlock mike's curve seems a bit outdated and isn't even very accurate or readable. Also, for some diodes (especially blu-ray) they differ individually, and more curves means better understanding of the characteristics and differences between those.

 

[toked323]

LM317 current calc http://www.cpemma.co.uk/317calc.html

 

[thebucketmouse]

Re: ***  THREADS OF INTEREST  ***

to that big public notice about direct batteries killing a diode: I have been running my red DIY burner for 6 months now on 2 AA batteries straight to the diode. no problems.

 

[john_lawson]

Re: ***  THREADS OF INTEREST  ***

try lithiums J/K sometimes you can get away with that i think wickeds reds are like that what mw does it put out :-? does it burn well i just made me a sentek 300 ma 16x does 175 steady burns great uses 2 3.7 batts so far so good

 

[Liberty1992]

Public Notice:
HOOKING YOUR LASER DIODE DIRECTLY TO BATTERIES WILL KILL IT IMMEDIATELY!!!

i would just like to say that i found this out the hard way, being the noob that i am, i hooked up a CD/DVD-RW diode to a 9v battery, directly, and i watched in interest as it died before my eyes (not in my eyes)