First build attempt. need advice!

[HazzWold1993]

Hey everyone, im a long time lingerer of this site and a newly joined member, and im starting my first, well first proper attempt at making a red laser. and i could do with some advice. first off, tommorow im going be getting given two dvd burner drives from which ill get my diodes. but then theres my problems, i dont want to drive them without a driver so i can get more life out of them, but im a bit short on the idea of exactly how to drive them!
so my current options are (unless you guys/gals? tell me otherwise)
i can buy this. 300mW module driver diode, and just put it together :
300mW+650nm Red High Power Laser Diode Module Kit Glass - eBay Industrial Lasers, Lighting Lasers, Industrial Supply MRO, Business Industrial. (end time 25-Feb-10 16:38:00 AEDST)
or i can get my dvd burner diodes, and put them in this aixiz module :
650nm 5mW laser module.3.2V 12x30mm kip kay project - eBay (item 360235889955 end time Feb-23-10 20:04:27 PST)
and as for driving them ive seen you'se use one called a flexdrive? or something of the like, should i go with one of those or one of these:
2pcs Constant current laser diode driver 80-500mA w/TTL - eBay Stage Lighting, Lighting Effects, Stage Lighting Effects, Electronics. (end time 20-Mar-10 02:10:30 AEDST)
also... one last thing. i need goggles, would these be sufficient for 650nm red?
Protection Safety Glasses Goggles for 650nm Red Laser - eBay Industrial Lasers, Lighting Lasers, Industrial Supply MRO, Business Industrial. (end time 20-Mar-10 02:11:22 AEDST)

any help is greatly appreciated thanks!

also the housing i plan to use is a aluminium minimag style torch. seeing as that seems to be the going trend

 

[HaloBlu]

$49 +$5 shipping is a rip for that driver IMO. An LM317 based driver such as that one is basic & inexpensive. Even tho it includes a diode in an Module, I still think its a rip.
The LM317 needs a heatsink & that thing is bulky.
For $23 +$3 shipping you can get a FlexDrive. FlexDrives create no heat & are damn tiny. Its the best IMO.
If you want that less expensive driver you can get it directly from o-like.com. you will save a little not going through ebay 2pcs Constant current laser diode driver 80-500mA w/TTL It is certainly good enough.
You can get your aixiz modules from HighTechDealZ.com $3.39 free shipping. I use HighTechDealZ its run by a forum member & he is reliable.

 

[HazzWold1993]

$49 +$5 shipping is a rip for that driver IMO. An LM317 based driver such as that one is basic & inexpensive. Even tho it includes a diode in an Module, I still think its a rip.
The LM317 needs a heatsink & that thing is bulky.
For $23 +$3 shipping you can get a FlexDrive. FlexDrives create no heat & any damn tiny.
You can get your aixiz modules from HighTechDealZ.com $3.39 free shipping. I use HighTechDealZ its run by a forum member & he is reliable.

Thanks! with the flex drive though is it two wires in two wires out or is one or two connecting to the host or diode?
also, those aixiz housings, it doesnt mention on his site whether they are acrylic or glass? does anyone here know?
i think ill go with one of those housings, a flex drive, and go from there.
Last question. would the driving specifications vary much with 650nm red lasers from dvd burners? cuz from what i see 450mA is about max.. seem right? or god no?

 

[HaloBlu]

The negative batt conection for the FlexDrive can be though the case of your host. Also the negative batt can be through the negative batt conection OR negative diode conection, they run together.
I don't know what diode you will be using but the common red ones we tend to use here have their neg pin connected to the diode case so just positve batt & 2 diode pins in enough for those diodes.
Well I may have made that sound convoluted but luckily there is wiring diagrams in the FlexDrive_V5_manual

Also those same goggles are less expensive (when you look at the shipping cost) if you skip ebay again & buy directly from zonestealth $29 free shipping

You might find something useful in looking to build a laser? if you haven't already read it.

Oh yea sorry forgot to mention the HighTechDealZ module is acrylic lens.

As to the mA to drive your diode at, you need to know the speed of the burner. And I'm afraid I only know the limits for the common burner diodes. But if you post a thread asking something like "safe mA for 8x red?" someone certainly should know.

 

[Morgan]

It should be noted that to set your Flexdrive, (if that's the driver you decide to go with, and they are good), you will need a Dummy Test Load. These are available from a number of places, (I'm sure you'll find one on HighTechDealZ), as these drivers should not be run without a load. Not knowing where the driver is set to and hooking up your diode might be fatal to your LD.

450mA is about your limit for a Long Can Open diode, (LOC; many posts on these!). I would be hesitant to assume that your LDs will be able to take that current. Make a post for feedback on your diode or get yourself a LOC, or LCC, (Long Can Closed diode). These are also readily available and well understood so there is less to go wrong and it's easier to identify what did go wrong if the worst happens.

Most Aixiz modules sold come with the standard acrylic lens. Normally I would expect a glass lens to be mentioned specifically.

Oh yeah..., I almost forgot, welcome to the forum!:wave:

M