Drivers.

[Ilotrophic]

Does this prove to be a sufficient driver for the 150mA requirements for the diode?

And is it possible to make a driver without using the LM317?

 

[Blord]

You need a fix 8.3Ohm resistor for 150mA output. No problem with the LM317.

There are other options for drivers than LM317. You can use LM1117, AMC7135, Flexdrive, Kikoukan driver, Dealextreme drivers, etc.

 

[benmwv]

Don't forget the mohgasm driver!

 

[jimdt7]

As blord said you have to change the resistor value to 8.3ohms.
Make your driver on a breadboard and test it with a test load.
All the information you need to make both is here: Laser Driver

 

[Meatball]

And is it possible to make a driver without using the LM317?

Yes. But there could be disadvantages. It will depend on what your needs are.

Sooo.. what do you need?

 

[Ilotrophic]

Yes. But there could be disadvantages. It will depend on what your needs are.

Sooo.. what do you need?

Basically a driver for a 30mW 532 laser. Finding an already made driver for that is seemingly impossible. I am trying to avoid buying a cheap 30mW module and grabbing the driver out of it.
I was wanting to make it (not anything outstanding) it's wasn't gonna be for hardcore use.
And I have a nice set of resistors, capacitors, diodes ect just from collecting but I don't have that blasted LM317. I live in a rural POS town with no stores to pick one up. (Bummer)


And BTW thank you all for your informative answers.

 

[Meatball]

If you have some op amps or transistors, you'll be on your way in no time. Just using a transistor as a simple current source can be enough for the job.

Otherwise, any IR/Red laser diode driver should work. A 30mW green module will be pumped with about 200mws of IR, so a Red/IR driver set to 250mA should be all you need. But hey, ordering an LM317 is just as easy.

 

[Ilotrophic]

If you have some op amps or transistors, you'll be on your way in no time. Just using a transistor as a simple current source can be enough for the job.

Otherwise, any IR/Red laser diode driver should work. A 30mW green module will be pumped with about 200mws of IR, so a Red/IR driver set to 250mA should be all you need. But hey, ordering an LM317 is just as easy.

Awesome! That is definitely a piece of information that will help me a lot. In more area's than 1.

 

[Ilotrophic]

If you have some op amps or transistors, you'll be on your way in no time. Just using a transistor as a simple current source can be enough for the job.

Otherwise, any IR/Red laser diode driver should work. A 30mW green module will be pumped with about 200mws of IR, so a Red/IR driver set to 250mA should be all you need. But hey, ordering an LM317 is just as easy.

So this will suffice as a driver for that unit then?

If so I'll make a note of it to pick up a LM317 next time I have to run into the city. :beer:

 

[Meatball]

Yep, that's the standard current driver using the LM317. You can probably order samples from NI, NS, or TI, if you want some free chips sent to your place.