First build ever [Super-Noob]

[TuhOz]

Sup LPF,
I've been interested in lasers only about ...2..4.. months? So not much, I ordered month ago my first "highpowered" laser, 532nm 200mW.

I wanna try to build my own laser.

Goggles: Eagle Pair® 190-540nm & 900-1700nm Laser Safety Goggles

Im gonna practice first with these two diode
405nm 20mw CW Violet Laser Diode DIY/Lab/Study 2pcs/pak | eBay
Driver: 405nm 5-300mw Laser Diode Driver Reverse protection | eBay
(Is that driver good? It should work @ 400mA with the "real diode". Im gonna first try it at 50mA to test my practice diode)


Aizix module: Laser focusing module for 5.6mm laser diodes (adjustable focus) [M0034] - $3.99 : Modwerx Shop
Heatsink: I have my own heatsink, taken from old computer.
Host: Im not sure yet..
Power Source: No idea yet, any suggestions? (should be 30-400mA)

Now the ultimate noob part;

Is this possible;
After building that 20mW laser I sever the diode off from the driver and then I solder the "real" 300mW diode to the same driver?
Here's the diode that I'm gonna use after testing the low powered one New 250mW+ 405nm 6X High Power Blue-Violet Laser Diode | eBay

Thanks people, dont be too judgemental. :thanks:

 

[piferal]

Yes the driver is fine for your diode of 250mW, but,
the working Voltage of the diode of 20mW strangely is 2.2V, I'm not sure that works with this driver.

Unless the specified voltage of this diode is not correct, the 405nm diodes typically operate at ~5 - 5.5V approx...

You can use one 16430 or 18650... battery (This driver needs between 2.7 - 4.0V)

You need a test load to adjust the current of the driver to the needs of your diode, for not to damage them.

You need a glass lens for 405nm.

 

[TuhOz]

Yes the driver is fine for your diode of 300mW, but,
the working Voltage of the diode of 20mW strangely is 2.2V, I'm not sure that works with this driver.

Unless the specified voltage of this diode is not correct, the 405nm diodes typically operate at ~5 - 5.5V approx...

You can use one 16430 or 18650... battery (This driver needs between 2.7 - 4.0V)

You need a test load to adjust the current of the driver to the need of your diode, for not to damage them.

You need a glass lens for 405nm.

Thanks!

Are these lens good?

AR coated glass lens for 405-445nm [M0004] - $12.99 : Modwerx Shop

And as battery
4x 18650 3000mAh Rechargeable Battery + Dual Charger | eBay

And for the dummy load... yeah I think I should do it first.

I'll follow this tutorial
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/how-make-selectable-dummy-load-very-depth-64585.html

Thanks

 

[Ghostchrome]

Thanks!

Are these lens good?

AR coated glass lens for 405-445nm [M0004] - $12.99 : Modwerx Shop

And as battery
4x 18650 3000mAh Rechargeable Battery + Dual Charger | eBay

And for the dummy load... yeah I think I should do it first.

I'll follow this tutorial
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/how-make-selectable-dummy-load-very-depth-64585.html

Thanks

Those lenses will be good. Not sure on the batteries. They say 3000mAh, which would be awesome if they actually were, but for 4 of them and a charger for 14 bucks, it's tough to go wrong.

 

[piferal]

Thanks!

Are these lens good?

AR coated glass lens for 405-445nm [M0004] - $12.99 : Modwerx Shop

And as battery
4x 18650 3000mAh Rechargeable Battery + Dual Charger | eBay

And for the dummy load... yeah I think I should do it first.

I'll follow this tutorial
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/how-make-selectable-dummy-load-very-depth-64585.html

Thanks

Yes the lens is good.

The only thing I dislike is that the charger you have to recharge 2 batteries at the same time.

And I doubt these batteries have 3000mA, but is ok.

Yes the tutorial for test load is good.

 

[TuhOz]

Yes the lens is good.

The only thing I dislike is that the charger you have to recharge 2 batteries at the same time.

And I doubt these batteries have 3000mA, but is ok.

Yes the tutorial for test load is good.

Thank you & Ghostchrome!

Oh yeah, I'll think those batteries again
How about these?
Battery
Charger


But is the dummy load neccessary?
I mean, if I just solder diode to driver, hit it up with power source, and then turn the pot to adjust the amps?

I dont have Volt Meter or any other high-tech electronics.. lol.

PS. Rep-system is broken(?)

 

[piferal]

Thank you & Ghostchrome!

Oh yeah, I'll think those batteries again
How about these?
Battery
Charger


But is the dummy load neccessary?
I mean, if I just solder diode to driver, hit it up with power source, and then turn the pot to adjust the amps?

I dont have Volt Meter or any other high-tech electronics.. lol.

PS. Rep-system is broken(?)

The batteries and the charger is good.

Yes, it is necessary because without it, you don't know the current that leaves the driver,
and if you exceed the maximum allowed by the diode, then goodbye.

 

[TuhOz]

The batteries and the charger is good.

Yes, it is necessary because without it, you don't know the current that leaves the driver,
and if you exceed the maximum allowed by the diode, then goodbye.

Alright now I understand it fully :thanks:

I think of buying this one... im lazy (well, its hard to find resistors etc in my town, i think its easier to buy this)

Laser driver dummy load (test red or blu-ray) [M0001] - $10.99 : Modwerx Shop

But wouldn't I still need a Volt Meter, Multimeter or something like it?

Or, could I buy a driver like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/104mA-constant-Current-driver-405nm-Blue-laser-diode-/280387810792?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41486a75e8
Which is already set at ~300 mA?

Im going to sleep now, but I'll be back tomorrow.
Thanks for your help, you have helped really much!

 

[piferal]

Alright now I understand it fully :thanks:

I think of buying this one... im lazy (well, its hard to find resistors etc in my town, i think its easier to buy this)

Laser driver dummy load (test red or blu-ray) [M0001] - $10.99 : Modwerx Shop

But wouldn't I still need a Volt Meter, Multimeter or something like it?

Or, could I buy a driver like this
104mA constant Current driver 405nm Blue laser diode | eBay
Which is already set at ~300 mA?

Im going to sleep now, but I'll be back tomorrow.
Thanks for your help, you have helped really much!

Yes, but this driver deliver only 104mA, and you need at least 2 batteries fully charged, because the working voltage of this driver is between 8 and 15V.

Just you are missing one part of the power of your diode, but is ok.

And in this case with this diode of 250mW you don't need test load because the driver gives less than the maximum tolerated by the diode.

 

[TuhOz]

And in this case with this diode of 250mW you don't need test load because the driver gives less than the maximum tolerated by the diode.

Hmm... the drivers max is 400mA, but diodes max is 350mA. I try keep it under 350mA, but does it matter much if the driver is set at ~400mA when diode connected?

Going to order some stuff soon...

I'll make a thread when/if its ready :beer:

 

[piferal]

The answer from my post # 9 is if you put the driver of 104mA, NOT for the 400mA driver.

If you put the driver of 400mA an this one is set at your maximum 400mA, you can damage the diode.

 

[TuhOz]

The answer from my post # 9 is if you put the driver of 104mA, NOT for the 400mA driver.

If you put the driver of 400mA an this one is set at your maximum 400mA, you can damage the diode.

Oh I understand.

I think im not gonna use 104mA, the output of the diode would be like ~130mW?

How about buying this driver @ 350mA?
http://hacylon.case.edu/ebay/laser_diode/Groove_2.php

 

[piferal]

IMHO this driver I don't like for this diode.

Ok, this diode (405nm 6x) requires between ~180 to ~220mA for safe operation.

If you will NOT use the 105mA driver, I recommend a test load and a multimeter
to select the proper current (cited above) in the driver output, for this diode.

So if you use a test load for set the proper current, you can use your first driver for example.

405nm 5-300mw Laser Diode Driver Reverse protection | eBay

But again, you NEED a test load for select the proper current if you choose a driver that delivers more than 220mA, approx.

 

[TuhOz]

IMHO this driver I don't like for this diode.

Ok, this diode (405nm 6x) requires between ~180 to ~220mA for safe operation.

If you will NOT use the 105mA driver, I recommend a test load and a multimeter
to select the proper current (cited above) in the driver output, for this diode.

So if you use a test load for set the proper current, you can use your first driver for example.

405nm 5-300mw Laser Diode Driver Reverse protection | eBay

But again, you NEED a test load for select the proper current if you choose a driver that delivers more than 220mA, approx.

Oh thanks.
I didnt realize that ~200 mA is for safe operation, I thought I can use 6x with output of 400mW (for long life) lol.

Im still trying to look for a 200mA driver.

If i cant find, i have to buy multimeter/ amper meter + do a dummy load.

So lets see...