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FrozenGate by Avery

DIY Homemade laser diode driver

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Daedal said:
:D :D

Congrats... pictures? Ideas? ::)

--DDL
Click to expand...

Here are a few pics.

DDLsCircuit 001_sm.jpg


DDLsCircuit 002_sm.jpg


As far as ideas, Yes I am currently working on a LED power meter.
I have to find the chip that controlls the LED BAR, It will light each bar as the voltage increases.
Its in my garage somewhere ::) I built an O2 meter with it, to adjust and monitor fuel mixtures. All from Rat Shack. I'll post the Chips number as soon as I find it.

I think the Power Meter would be cool for a visual aid to keep from hooking a meter up constantly, and maybe help to prevent from frying LDs.
 
Well I found that O2 Meter in my tool box in the garage.
Here are a few pics of it and its circuit. Guess I have another container for a box style laser :)

DDLsCircuit 003_sm.jpg


DDLsCircuit 005_sm.jpg


Here is what the chip has printed on it JB112AF & [highlight]LM3914N-1[/highlight]
Heres a link to the Data Sheet http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/8900/NSC/LM3914N-1.html
And where to get it http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=LM3914N-1-ND

For the LED BAR, The Part# [highlight]1001HDA[/highlight]
And where to get it http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=LM3914N-1-ND

The LED Part# above is for a LED with 10 RED bars, I have another one that is similar, However it has 7 green and 3 red bars. I like it much better. A similar one with 6 green and 4 red can be purchased Here http://www.gatewayelex.com/led.htm

I would like to fine one of these for sale somewhere!
7513.jpg

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/7513/589​

colored_led_bar.jpg

I'm sure with the proper resister, this circuit could be modified to work the the voltages that DDLs driver uses.
10 Segment red LED bar graph display- 20-pin DIP 20mA, 2VDC per element.

I'll post more information as I progress.
 
I ran across this and was thinking it could possibly be used to TEST LDs.
Is this feasible? Of course you would have to clip the 3 pin on the LD in order to fit it into the socket.

Pocket size LED - Tester
You can carry this light (no pun intended) pocket sized tester around with you and test LED’s all day long. The socket strip provides 2mA, 10mA, 20mA, 30mA, and 50mA drive currents. There are 7 of the 10mA sockets so you can do side by side comparisons of the color and brightness for up to 7 LED’s. This useful tester requires a 9-Volt battery (not included) and has a push-to-test button that is also used to drive the green battery-check LED. Approximate size is 2 3/8” W by 3” H by 7/8” D.
Click to expand...

http://www.alltronics.com/cgi-bin/item/27Z001/31/Pocket-size-LED-Tester

27Z001.jpg
 
What a coincidence, I just got a LM3914 last week for my LD circuit :D It works great! I still have to put it in my torch, i only tested it with some leds, not a bar display. I wanted to measure the current through the LD, so i set it up to about 25mA per segment 0-250mA.
 
naplam said:
What a coincidence, I just got a LM3914 last week for my LD circuit :D It works great! I still have to put it in my torch, i only tested it with some leds, not a bar display. I wanted to measure the current through the LD, so i set it up to about 25mA per segment 0-250mA.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it! Please keep me/us updated, I would like to see how you set it up.
 
When I finished assembling my driver i tested the voltage it was putting of and it was still 5.8. i am using 4 aa batteries to power it at 6v. Do you know what the problem could be i think i have everything connected right. I am trying to get everything straightened out before my LD gets here. Sorry if i sound stupid i am fairly new at this.
 
The first thing I'd check is that the pin numbers on the LM317 are what you think they are. If you used a TO-220 case part like you'd find at Radio Shack, the pins are Vin, Vout, Adj, as read from RIGHT to LEFT. That's different than from in the schematic at the top of this thread.
 
I have them hooked up right but it still reads 5.8 volts. I dont have it hooked up to anything such as a load could that be the problem ? It reads 218 ma so i think thats in the right range.
 
Thanks for the welcome all of you guys are a great help. For some reason I thought i remebered my dad saying something about it having to be under a load. I cant wait to get my LD in now. Thanks again.
stump
 
NOOOOOoooooooo!!! :o :o :o Don't test it for the first time with a poor defenseless LD. Use four 1N4001 diodes in series for a dummy load.
 
Will this burn my diode up? Any suggestions sorry if it looks bad this is my first electronic project. click the attacment to see the picture better.
 

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