Blinking diode

[sths]

Me and my friend were building a laser from this video: Build a Burning Red Laser from an Old PC | Hack N Mod
Where we encountered an issue. The laser is blinking when ever we connect it to a power source. We have tried many different power sources and the blinking continues. We both suspect it is the driver. We used a LM317 driver with 3 ohms of resistance for our 650nm 5mW laser in an Aixis module. What could be the source of the blinking and how can we fix it?

 

[chipdouglas]

In the future if you need help you need to post way more info. What laser diode are you using (what dvd burner did you get it out of??) If you are using a true 5mw red (which I highly doubt you got from a dvd driver) then you have probably killed it if you made your driver for a burner. what heat sink, what voltage are using, what are you using for power? etc...

Michael.

 

[Cyparagon]

You used 12V+ as positive and 5V+ as negative (for presumably 7V supply) as the video suggests? Bad idea. The PSU won't like that and it sounds like it's cutting out on some sort of protective fault.

What "other" power sources are you using? The LM317 does not behave like that - I can pretty much assure you it's your power source(s).