Laser Lightsaber Project

[spyguy99]

Ok, so I am starting to make my own laser lightsaber with a blue ray laser, but i have some questions about powering it
1. if i buy the blue ray diode and the kit for powering the diode form daedal would it work with 2, 1.5 volt AA batteries and how would i regulate it.
2. What type of eye protection should I get?
3. Is a blue ray laser visible at night? (I have been reading around the forum and it has been argued if it can be seen)

Thanks in advance for anyone who heps me out.

 

[Things]

welcome to the forum! what do you mean by lightsabre?? you mean like the beam of the laser can be seen, or the laser is in some kind of a tube to illuminate it? blu ray can be seen at night, but not very well, and any additional light will make it non visible. no 2 AA's will not work, the regulator requires 6V to work corectly.

 

[MarioMaster]

if you're thinking of using it to illuminate a plastic rod or something to give it a lightsaber look, you may want to look into UV or purple LEDs instead since they will give about the same color and will be much cheaper - plus they could run on two AA batteries.

 

[rog8811]

you may want to look into UV or purple LEDs

You can buy plastic tube that is UV sensitive that would work well with the UV LED's....it also works well with the blue ray though.....

Regards rog8811

 

[spyguy99]

Well, i was going to try and make something like Kipkay's Laser Phaser but i wanted it in a lightsaber. So, i googled a bit and found what kind i am making hxxp://bigyellowbox.tripod.com/plans08/main.htm and the original design holds 2 AA batteries but i thing a 9V battery would fit to power the laser.

 

[MarioMaster]

i think you'd probably be better off using LEDs, i don't think the lightsaber effect will look very convincing even if you're getting a good 15mw out of the blu-ray diode.

 

[spyguy99]

What color diode and what wattage would produce a "beam" that is visible?

 

[rog8811]

Go for the UV ones, I have made a couple of torches for lighting large effects for halloween, you will be surprised at what a couple of 5mm LEDS and resistors will do with the correct materials. If you are in the UK drop me your address in a PM and I will send you a couple to play with

Regards rog8811