Is it possible to make burning Laser from Computer?

[Siopao]

HELP! ok i'm trying to make a burning laser out of a recycled computer for school, i removed the diode from a dvd burner, and tried just hooking it up to a battery pack but it didn't work, and then i tried connecting the diode to the powersupply but still no laser came up!, I even tried turning on a camera just incase it was infrared, but still nothing =(, really discouraged!, is it even possible and what am i missing?!!!!!

 

[daguin]

A driver.

You probably fried the diode with the battery

Peace,
dave

 

[Trevor]

HELP! ok i'm trying to make a burning laser out of a recycled computer for school

Check your school's rules. A lot of places, laser pointers aren't allowed in the building with students. A burning laser is a different story.

It'd be bad if you got in trouble because of a project you picked for school.

-Trevor

 

[Siopao]

@daguin, thx for your reply, what do you mean by driver?, I'm pretty noob at this, and i tried it with multiple diodes, but still nothing, and I really fried the diode with the battery pack of two double AA's?, really?, then how do i get enough power through the diode with a powersupply without frying it...sigh i failed =.=...

@Trevor, thx for your reply and yupp it's all right, i was orinally just planning to do a video and show it that way but he told me to bring it in, surprised me too! #.#, but now it doesnt even work =.=....

 

[Trevor]

The laser diode you used was probably made for reading and not writing. Reader diodes only require a handful of milliamps (<50).

When you hooked up 3V to it, far more current than a handful of milliamps flowed through it; a laser diode is not a very resistive load.

Laser diodes have to be driven by a source that delivers constant current, not voltage.

-Trevor

 

[Siopao]

I'm reall inexperienced at this and thanks for explaining and I think i get it, so if i hooked up a power supply with resistors at the end then attatch it to the diode, would a laser come out,? assuming i have a writing diode, thx for your patience =)

 

[Trevor]

Well... what you want is a current regulated source.

Check out this page:
Laser driver - It can be done

-Trevor

 

[anselm]

Use this as a guide:
Laser driver - It can be done

Also, check out the INDEX link in my signature, lots of good threads in there....

EDIT:There must be an echo in here....

 

[Siopao]

i realize my failure....T.T,.....sigh thx for the help =), i think i'm just going to give up, xD...Lasers are cool but out of me reach X3, thx =)

 

[mfo]

Some of the older lasers from older computers need more power. Did you try plugging it into the wall?

 

[anselm]

^^^^^^
Hurr Durrr

 

[Tech_Junkie]

I smell troll too.

If you cant figure it out by the advice given, then GTFO. You're wasting space.

 

[anselm]

I meant mfo actually.:na:

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

Yeah that made me crack up lol

 

[Siopao]

Hey what's up =), some of you are just not nice people. And yea i did figure it out, thx a lot for the people who actually helped =), the rest of you, smd =)

 

[Lotus_Darkrose]

Hey what's up =), some of you are just not nice people. And yea i did figure it out, thx a lot for the people who actually helped =), the rest of you, smd =)

I know what "SMD" stands for and I'm pretty sure you calling us "not nice" makes you a hypocrite.