Can someone help me out?

[Dawgz]

Here are my diodes!

 

[a_pyro_is]

I don't know anything about a $5.00 fee when using PayPal. But why not use Google Checkout? It's free, easy, seems to be safe, and best of all it isn't PayPal.

*Edit* Please resize or crop to 800px Wide or less. it makes things easier to see. thanks

 

[Dawgz]

Just came back from Radio shack and got most of the stuff!

Capacitor - 47UF 35V - Catalog # 272-1027
LM317(T) - Catalon #276-1178
Potentiometer - Catalon # 271-265
Resistor (10 ohm)
Siicone Diode - 1N4001 - Catalog # 276-1101

 

[Dawgz]

I got a 10ohm resistor instead of the 4ohm, is that a big diffrence?

 

[Gazoo]

Yes it is but you can put two of them in parallel and end up with a 5 ohm resistance. Also I suggest you read the following web page..everything you need to know about the LM317.

http://users.pandora.be/davshomepage/current-source.htm

 

[Dawgz]

Here's a rough layout of my board so far! (its not soldered yet)

 

[Gazoo]

Looks good so far...I use similar pc boards too. With the rheostat set at the least resistance, you will be applying 250ma's to the diode. Since it came out of a 16X DVD burner it should be able to handle it. But I would try around 160ma's since you should be able to light matches and so on. Just keep in mind with anything less than 6 volts powering the circuit the regulator will begin to drop out.

Also for safety's sake, it is best to solder the capacitor directly across the diode. However if all of your connections are good you will be ok. Just make sure you have your meter connected before you apply power. The best way is to connect a 1 0hm resistor in series with the diode and measure the voltage across it...this will give you your current and prevent possible damage to the diode from a bad connection on your meter.

 

[Dawgz]

Looks good so far...I use similar pc boards too. With the rheostat set at the least resistance, you will be applying 250ma's to the diode. Since it came out of a 16X DVD burner it should be able to handle it. But I would try around 160ma's since you should be able to light matches and so on. Just keep in mind with anything less than 6 volts powering the circuit the regulator will begin to drop out.

Also for safety's sake, it is best to solder the capacitor directly across the diode. However if all of your connections are good you will be ok. Just make sure you have your meter connected before you apply power. The best way is to connect a 1 0hm resistor in series with the diode and measure the voltage across it...this will give you your current and prevent possible damage to the diode from a bad connection on your meter.  

Hmm, well what do u mean by Solder the capacitor directly across the diode...can u show me a rough sketch?

 

[Gazoo]

It means solder the capacitor directly to the pins of the diode. But I am using 10uf 16 volt capacitors and I really believe this is sufficient...they fit in the aixiz module. Since you already have the 47uf, don't worry about it...just do as I have already suggested to measure current. As long as everything is soldered, you will not have any problems.

 

[Dawgz]

sweet, another thing, u saw that i have two diodes that i got out of my dvd burner, can i use either one to make a high power laser that can burn thru things? or will only one of them do this?

 

[Gazoo]

One is infrared and the other is red. You do not want to play with the infrared one unless you have eye protection. It won't even make a beam...all you will see is a faint red dot that is capable of doing damage to your eyes. I don't mess with them...I throw them away.

The red on the other hand will make a nice visible beam. But if you plan on burning things up close you will need eye protection. The best is the Wicked Lasershades...they are expensive when you include the shipping but worth every penny. Since you have a driver I have no doubt you will want to experiment with other red diodes..you will get hooked..

http://www.wickedlasers.com/lasers/Red_650nm_LaserShades-49-16.html

 

[Dawgz]

thanx for all ur help ths far, but how can i defrentiate which one is the one that i want to use?

 

[Dawgz]

and, could i hook up a 9v battery as its power source? or would that be too much?

 

[Gazoo]

The way I do it is to connect one aa or aaa battery to the diode..don't look into them but you will know when you have the right one as it will light up like an led.

If you are talking about a 9 volt transistor radio battery do not expect it to run for very long. You would be much better off with 6 nimh AA or AAA batteries. As long as the voltage is 6 or more volts, the current going to the diode will remain the same.

 

[Dawgz]

Something really weird is up, the diode lights up but when i crank the POT to its max, its still a weak light...

and the way the diagram shows it, if i hook it up like that, the POT doesnt even do anything. SO i modified it, here take a look, whats wrong?

Here it is on MAX(Cranked all the way to the Right)

Here it is on the MINIMUM(cranked all the way to the Left)

Here's the "edited" (probably wrong) back of the circuit.

 

[SenKat]

Show a close-up of the soldering job on the diode itself, can you ?