Blu-ray beam very weak

[nilsou]

Hi I just put a PS3 Blu ray diode in an aixic red laser casing and it is working.

But the problem is that my laser emit a very weak light, barely visible in daylight. When i turn off the lights then the dot is visible on a white wall close to me but once again very weak.

I am powering it with a 9v batterie and a resistor (150 ohms i think)

Do you know what i should do?

Thanks!

Sorry for the question it is my first "homemade" laser!

 

[rog8811]

It is just possible that it swims with the fishes.....COD (Catastrophic optical damage)
Have you measured the voltage at the LD or the current draw? It should be around 4.5v and around 39ma.
If either figure is much higher than that the LD will, most likely< be dead.

Regards rog8811

 

[nilsou]

The fact is that it is working fine but just week... how can i see if my LD is dead?

I saw the tutorial on instructable and the guy did a blu-ray phaser with a 9v battery and a 150ohms resistor...

I hope it is not dead!!!

Please help me...

 

[MarioMaster]

check the current draw like rog suggested

 

[heruursciences]

If it emits yellowish or greenish light it's likely esd damaged, if the laser is just a smooth dot even at 50ma then it has been COD'd. :-[

 

[pseudolobster]

I don't know why they let that video stay on instructables... it's just a tutorial on how to waste a hundred dollars. it pisses me off that that guy has made thousands of dollars from metacafe, has received millions of hits, and has been nominated for the instructables contest etc, when he's telling you exactly the most efficient way to kill your laser without any regard for safety etc.

it sounds like you've probably permanently fried your diode... you're supposed to build a little regulator circuit to ensure the laser never receives more than ~35ma at 4.5 volts... lasers, especially br ones, like clean, consistent power at a very precise amperage.. since you're using a 9v battery and an unknown resistor, you're probably SOL.

 

[aces4al]

I don't know why they let that video stay on instructables... it's just a tutorial on how to waste a hundred dollars. it pisses me off that that guy has made thousands of dollars from metacafe, has received millions of hits, and has been nominated for the instructables contest etc, when he's telling you exactly the most efficient way to kill your laser without any regard for safety etc.

it sounds like you've probably permanently fried your diode... you're supposed to build a little regulator circuit to ensure the laser never receives more than ~35ma at 4.5 volts... lasers, especially br ones, like clean, consistent power at a very precise amperage.. since you're using a 9v battery and an unknown resistor, you're probably SOL.

ouch!! :'(
Thats gonna leave a mark! :-[
sorry to hear the bad news.
Al

 

[nilsou]

I checked... and its 100 mA :-[

I think i damaged the LD.

I did build the driver at first but with that driver, the wasn't lighting at all, then i decided to try directly on battery and it worked... but weak...

I think I just have to buy another diode and build another driver! :'(

Thanks for your help!

 

[Gazoo]

I checked... and its 100 mA :-[

I think i damaged the LD.

I did build the driver at first but with that driver, the wasn't lighting at all, then i decided to try directly on battery and it worked... but weak...

I think I just have to buy another diode and build another driver! :'(

Thanks for your help!

I too hate those kiplay, or whatever, laser videos on metacafe. You are in the right place now to get it done correctly.

 

[nilsou]

Can someone please give me clear instructions on how to build this f****g laser...

There is no radioshack or anything like that in france : i have to order everything...

For the driver do you think this one is ok : h**p://cgi.ebay.fr/Adjustable-LASER-DRIVER-Blu-ray-or-BURNING-RED-DIODES_W0QQitemZ170193364420QQihZ007QQcategoryZ14954QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Where is the best place where i can buy a BR LD?

Thank you!

 

[rog8811]

I did build the driver at first but with that driver, it wasn't lighting at all

Which driver did you build, the LM317, that is much used by the members here?

If that was the one did you test it, and short out the capacitor to discharge it, before attaching the LD?

Regards rog8811

 

[goldfingerfif]

I did the same thing wrong with my BR laser diode. I haven't ordered another yet. Kipkay sucks and makes it seem easy. I dunno why his worked.