I built my first laser!!!! (UPDATED)

erdabyz · Oct 22, 2008

I just can't describe what i felt when connected the power source and that beam went out of the aixiz module...

LOL

I had two 16X closed can diodes from two DVD burners.
Few days ago i bought a rkcstr adjustable driver and a dummy load kit and they arrived today. Everything fine. Very well packaged and sent, and i'll proably buy more from him. I assembled the dummy load (the hardest part was to join the RED and DISCHARGE bridges LOL) and set my driver to 150mA.

I looked for the diodes and when i found them, i put one into an aixiz module and soldered two wires... but... they were too long and one pin of the diode twisted destroying my diode.

Don't worry, it was my 3rd broken diode, my first one with all the knowledge i acquired from this forum.

So i took the second one but this time i soldered it directly to the rkcstr driver... but i can't screw the back of the module. Maybe i'll fix this later. After soldering it (very easy, no more than 1 second per solder) i put my googles on, connected the power source (6V) and OMG!!! It lights!!!!

It is strong enought to burn dark paper. But I think i'm running it at a very low current.

What's the average current (conservative usage) for a 16X closed can?

Now i have a homemade partner for my Dilda.
Next step will be blu-ray.

.
About 6 months ago i was burning 2 16X diodes after watching a KipKay video. Now i know how to handle a Laser Diode and I have my own custom made one! And all because of reading this forum!

UPDATE: following your advices i set the driver to 255mA. I've also modded the aixiz acrylic lens to make the hole bigger. Now it burns like the dilda... but it has a dimmer dot. I mean, both burn at the same speed and do similar things (beam also looks similar in both lasers), but the dilda has a much brighter dot(about two times brighter). With my lasershades i can perfectly notice a 30cm diameter unfocused spot from the dilda, but i can't even notice a 10cm diameter spot from my homemade laser. I can't explain it, because the diode was from a 16X burner (with lots of use, but 16X).
I've also noticed that the diode heats up quicker now. I have prepared an aluminium host with a quite big (12graims) heatsink, that only needs a hole which will be done in the next days. I'll post some pics when it's finished.
If I were in the US i'd send someone the laser to test it, but as I am far from there, shipping cost would be high...

thebucketmouse · Oct 22, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

congratulations.
now youre addicted

jayrob · Oct 22, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

Putting 250mA's into that diode will give you about 170mW's. If you want to go to 200mW's, go with about 300mA's. (heatsinked)
Jay

laserman55 · Oct 23, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

hmm jay i am working on mine right now and how long do u thinka 16x closed can will run for (heatsinked) in 300mA becuase i wont mine to last a while :-?

jayrob · Oct 23, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

I think that more that anything else, it will depend on how you as the user, uses it! If you are careful to stick to a conservative duty cycle, it will last longer. (1 min. on / 30 sec. off)

At 250mA's it will last longer. This is still going to give you 160mW's to 170mW's through an acrylic lens.
Jay

styropyro · Oct 24, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

I personally wouldn't go over 250mA just because we aren't sure exactly how strong your 16x is. Some 16x LDs we power with 350mA safely, yet some die after a while at 300mA. Either way 250mA will give you a long diode life plus lots of burning fun. Also, if you want a little extra power for your red, buy an Aixiz glass lens and use that instead of the stock lens. Just don't use that glass lens on a DIY blu-ray once you make one.

laserman55 · Oct 24, 2008

Re: I built my first laser!!!!

well how much power would u get out of a stonetech 16x at 250mA

styropyro · Oct 24, 2008