Dummy loads.

[Voldy356]

Ok, educate me on dummy loads, please.
For instance, if I have a 1A driver, and my laser diode is supposed to work on 2.2v, how many diodes do I need in a dummy load?
How do I calculate these things, and what do I even need to calculate?
I know I should probably know these things, but I don't, for whatever reason.

 

[Alaskan]

Not sure if you are here to get members to jump through hoops for something you can find online yourself, but here you go:

By your command....

https://www.teamwavelength.com/download/applicationtechnotes/an-ldtc04.pdf

3A Selectable Test Load

MADE IN USA. The 3 amp selectable test load may be used to test a diode driver for proper current output and waveform before being attached to an LED or laser diode. The test load simulates the voltage drop (Vf) of a diode at a given current (A). Voltage drops of 1.4 to 8.5 volts may be achieved...

www.survivallaser.com

20A Heavy Duty Selectable Test Load

MADE IN USA. The 20 amp heavy duty selectable test load may be used to test a diode driver circuit for proper current output and waveform before being attached to an LED or laser diode. The test load simulates the voltage drop (Vf) of a diode at a given current (A). Voltage drops of 0.75 to 9.6...

www.survivallaser.com

How to Build a Laser (general Guide)

How to Build a Laser (general Guide):

www.instructables.com

 

[BowtieGuy]

These instructions from Odicforce seem to be pretty good also.

Setting the Laser Driver

Using a dummy load to set the laser driver current.

odicforce.com

 

[paul1598419]

It maybe to your advantage to know that using a 0.1 ohm resistor instead of a 1 ohm for high current dummy loads decreases the voltage drop across you sense resistor by a factor of ten. This will help in keeping your loads easier to balance and the current is easy to read as the 0.1 ohm resistor will show your current as one tenth the voltage drop across a 1 ohm resistor.