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FrozenGate by Avery
ipod touch laser
- Thread starter mmmatt312
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jcranmer
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Not much help here I know, but there are a couple of commercial options. Some pretty cheap if you are talking about a "classic" style ipod and not an ipod touch / iphone.
http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-iBeam-Flashlight-Laser-Pointer/dp/B0006GR8CG (Looks crappy, but come on it's only $1.29)
LaserPointer
http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-iBeam-Flashlight-Laser-Pointer/dp/B0006GR8CG (Looks crappy, but come on it's only $1.29)
LaserPointer
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I'm assuming you want to make your own laser pointer from a bare diode.
I don't think you should depend on the output current limit of the iPod. For a start, all iPods are slightly different and all have different current limits on the 3.3v output, as far as I know. Just to be safe, I would assume it's capable of supplying infinite current and destroying the laser without current limiting.
The output is probably very well regulated since chances are its the same supply for all the sensitive 3.3v things inside the iPod. Because of this you could probably get away with just connecting your laser diode in series with a suitable resistor to the output. Probably stick a cap or two is parallel too, just to make sure.
I don't think you should depend on the output current limit of the iPod. For a start, all iPods are slightly different and all have different current limits on the 3.3v output, as far as I know. Just to be safe, I would assume it's capable of supplying infinite current and destroying the laser without current limiting.
The output is probably very well regulated since chances are its the same supply for all the sensitive 3.3v things inside the iPod. Because of this you could probably get away with just connecting your laser diode in series with a suitable resistor to the output. Probably stick a cap or two is parallel too, just to make sure.
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5v @ 20mA out is the maximum that iOS allows for any given device. That being said, you can power any device using a USB hub and ipod touch as long as the hub is powered!
Last edited:
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Huh, didn't know they even had a 5v output. Unless you mean 3.3v, in which case 20mA doesn't seem right since i've seen GPS receivers running from an iPhone before...Seoul_lasers said:
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The current in iOS is set at 20mA! the GPS dongle is self powered or has a charge line in.
Sorry you are correct, it's a 3.3v raw off the rails, and then stepped to 5v using the camera connector. 20mA output limit!
Sorry you are correct, it's a 3.3v raw off the rails, and then stepped to 5v using the camera connector. 20mA output limit!
