First DVD laser

[kden]

Hey guys,

I want to build a laser out of my old DVD burner.
The drive I want to use is the LG GH22NS50.
This is the first laser I'm building myself.

I've read that those DVD burner diodes can go up to around 300mW in power,
but I don't really want to use anything above 100mW, at least for now.

Is it possible to drive them with less power?
Personally, I'd rather build a lower power laser with a longer life span.

I am not familiar with drivers, either. I got some knowledge about electronics but how do I know what current/voltage should be used?

I appreciate your help.

 

[Laser Chick]

Hi kden :wave:

Yes they can be under driven to a degree.
See if this link helps you.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/i-want-build-laser-thread-52972.html

Where are you from?
Welcome to the forum, do poke around and see all the great stuff in the world of lasers. Be sure to use the white search bar at the bottom of the page as there is a wealth of information to see here. Remember to get proper safety laser goggles for the wavelength of your laser if it is over 5mW. Enjoy, have fun and most importantly be safe.

 

[kden]

So there's probably no need to pick up another diode.

This will help.

I'm from Germany.
I'll get safety goggles right after I get it to work.

Thank you, Laser Chick!

 

[10fenny]

I would get the glasses before you get it to work... the first time firing it up could be dangerous as a first timer.
good luck! and read read read. this site is a great source of info!

 

[APEX1]

get glasses before you do this. safety first. also read the stickys and read as much as possible!! The more info the better chance you'll have at a complete laser

 

[Blastertron221]

Hey guys,

I want to build a laser out of my old DVD burner.
The drive I want to use is the LG GH22NS50.
This is the first laser I'm building myself.

I've read that those DVD burner diodes can go up to around 300mW in power,
but I don't really want to use anything above 100mW, at least for now.

Is it possible to drive them with less power?
Personally, I'd rather build a lower power laser with a longer life span.

I am not familiar with drivers, either. I got some knowledge about electronics but how do I know what current/voltage should be used?

I appreciate your help.

Unless you know what your doing with getting out that diode, you should probably research that. And get safety glasses. You can find those on Survival Laser USA Home. And everything else besides the diode.

 

[autonomousperson]

heh good luck extracting that LD out of that LG DVD unit

Ive never sucessfully pulled a LD out of the laser sled assembly without destroying it. Post some pictures, I might learn a few things off ya! I think I have one more LG DVD unit left and I may try it too.

 

[alessnilsen]

I have some experience with DVD lasers and I can help. Read all before doing something.

Probably the LD you'll get is a LPC-815 that is a open can diode capable of 250mW @ 400mA.

If memory don't fails, the LD of your GH22NS50 will be hard to extract, it will be glued deep into the sled that is made of plastic, so you'll need to break it.

Start disassembling the sled, remove all that you don't want. Then you'll end with the sled with the LD in it, now use a pliers to carefully break the plastic. If I remember, the LD is in a very little metal housing.

If you can post a photo of the sled, will be easy to help.

Good luck! :beer:

 

[Lifetime17]

Hi,
You can get a BDR-209 16x sled off Ebay for around 29.00 bucks. i have disassembled quite a few sleds , it takes time and patience and the right tools. I have 3 or4 builds from these sleds. I also have a 16x and a12x sled sitting for a few more builds. some pics to get an idea of what to experience .In the third pic is a flat package red you get in this 16x sled alone with a 3.8mm 405nm diode. i hopes this sheds some light on the subject what your getting in for.

Rich