DVD diode or CD diode?

[Bearded_Galaxy]

I have seven diodes. 5 are important (I know 2 of the seven are not DVD+/-RW). They are either CD-RW or DVD+/-RW. Either 2 are DVD and 3 are CD, or vice-versa. How do I tell which is the CD and which is the DVD? Can I tell by, for instance, running a specific current, say 200mA, would/should the CD diodes be brighter (or dimmer) than the DVD diodes? Or, is there another way to tell? All 5 have the same pin alignment.

 

[Galdor]

The DVD Burner diodes will be much brigher than the CD diodes. Actually
the CD diodes are most likely IR which means you won't be able to see the
laser light. Don't look into them! At 200mA you will most likely blow out the
CD diodes and without a module to act as a heatsink you could burn out the
DVD Burner diodes too. If you post pictures of your diodes someone here may
be able to tell you more about what you have.

 

[Bearded_Galaxy]

I have DVD burner diodes from some dead Apple computers. However, they couldn't light a match to save their lives. I'm running them at 350+mA (with a heatsink).

 

[Galdor]

Sounds interesting. Do you know what speed the burners were? 8x, 16x, 20x?
350mA is alot! You should be lighting matches with that I would think. I have
an 18x open can at 220mA and it lights matches instantaneously if I color them
black. I can also easily burn through electricians tape and black plastic.

 

[daguin]

I have DVD burner diodes from some dead Apple computers.  However, they couldn't light a match to save their lives.  I'm running them at 350+mA (with a heatsink).

Use a marker to color the match head black and focus your laser.

Peace,
dave

 

[diachi]

The DVD Burner diodes will be much brigher than the CD diodes. Actually
the CD diodes are most likely IR which means you won't be able to see the
laser light. Don't look into them! At 200mA you will most likely blow out the
CD diodes and without a module to act as a heatsink you could burn out the
DVD Burner diodes too. If you post pictures of your diodes someone here may
be able to tell you more about what you have.

The DVD diodes will be red, and easily visible, the CD diodes will be red, but they will be very dim, much more powerful than they appear.

-Adam