First build! A huge success!

[dontposeme]

This is my first build! I decided to go with a nice little Altoids can with a PHR-803T diode. I have it running at 110 mA and this baby is sweet!

Tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions for my next build!

Thanks to all the people on this forum for all your great posts and threads that helped me out!

 

[x90z75ek]

Very nice laser! That's really good for first build. Do you know it's power output?
Also laser safety goggles are recommended.

 

[dontposeme]

I actually have no idea of its power output. Any way of telling without a meter? And the safety goggles are on their way.

 

[Scottyzedinosaur]

Nice! How's the battery life? I've heard 9v batts suck. I'm building a very similar laser, but using a project box. Though, I'm using a 9v too. Haha. I'll have my build posted soon!

 

[Tim71]

That is a great build. Those Altoids cans are the perfect size - everything fits in neatly.

Tim

 

[proud2deviate]

When the battery dies, you could wire it to an adapter. 9Vs can be expensive.

Any plans for a heatsink?

Oh, and props to the build. Looks nice and clean.

 

[Scottyzedinosaur]

I recommend 9v rechargeables, though I haven't really tried em out. But the radioshack here provides a free charger if you buy the battery

 

[x90z75ek]

I actually have no idea of its power output. Any way of telling without a meter? And the safety goggles are on their way.

Actually there's no way of telling the power output without a laser power meter. You can only tell closely from what you see like the lasers brightness and burning power.

 

[dontposeme]

When the battery dies, you could wire it to an adapter. 9Vs can be expensive.

Any plans for a heatsink?

Oh, and props to the build. Looks nice and clean.

By adapter, you mean like rechargeable batteries right? If so, I might have to do that. You're right, 9V's are quite pricey.

I actually don't think it needs a heatsink, it doesn't get hot unless I run it for like a minute to a minute and a half. That definately plenty of time to light a match.

 

[Zeus]

You can guess, but that's not that accurate. It might be anywhere between 70 and 120mW.
As you can see, that isn't that accurate.

Regards

Lachlan

 

[dontposeme]

You can guess, but that's not that accurate. It might be anywhere between 70 and 120mA.
As you can see, that isn't that accurate.

Regards

Lachlan

I'm not sure what your talking about. I do know how many mA it is putting out because I measured it with multimeter. If I'm
misunderstanding something here, let me know.

 

[Zeus]

Many apologies, I meant mW. I've been drawing too many schematics and I use mA
a lot.

 

[dontposeme]

Many apologies, I meant mW. I've been drawing too many schematics and I use mA
a lot.

No problems. You are right about not knowing how many mW it is actually putting out. I really wish I had a power meter.

 

[Benm]

You'll buy or build one along the way...

enjoy your success for now, seems like its working

 

[Jimmymcjimthejim]

A small recommendation I have to make is to glue the circuitboard to the interior of the altoids can. Moving parts are not good for any type of project, and the board could easily be ripped out along with wires to your Laser Diode. Just a word of advice that I'd advise for you to take

 

[proud2deviate]

By adapter, you mean like rechargeable batteries right? If so, I might have to do that. You're right, 9V's are quite pricey.

I actually don't think it needs a heatsink, it doesn't get hot unless I run it for like a minute to a minute and a half. That definately plenty of time to light a match.

I was thinking of a "wall wart" AC-DC type thing. Turn it into a micro labby:yh:

Or, for the sake of portability, I bet you could cram three 10440 rechargeables in there.