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FrozenGate by Avery

Low input question

G

Galdor

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Aug 31, 2008
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I am wondering if running a DVD burner diode at the lowest possible current required to lase
would have any detrimental effects on the diode. What I am thinking about doing is using a large
100 ohm pot in my build that would allow for an external knob to adjust the laser's output. I would
of course have the appropriate resistors inplace to set the maximum output to an acceptable limit.
I am just wondering if running the diode at low power could damage it.
 





Nope, no reason at all that a lower power will hurt the diode.

Adjusting a pot while the diode is running, not sure about that one, I'd only adjust it with the LD off I reckon, but low power won't hurt a laser diode.
 
So actually adjusting the pot while the laser is running could kill it?
Even if I use resistors to set the max allowed current to say 225mA?
 
Galdor said:
So actually adjusting the pot while the laser is running could kill it?
Even if I use resistors to set the max allowed current to say 225mA?
Click to expand...

If your compelled to have an adjustable laser (it sounds like a neat idea) give it a try on a cheap $16. diode.
It may work ok if the potintiometer is a quality component that has a smooth & even, linear adjustment through its range.
Hook it up to your driver to first observe it's output characteristics while viewing your DMM. Actually it may be easier to view on the scale of an analog meter.
 
Galdor said:
Cool! I will have to experiment with the driver on my DMM and see what happens.
Need to get a good pot or rheostat first though.

The idea actually came from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92OjbeZZSMU
Click to expand...

You should have NO problems if that very weak kes-400 BR diode can be adjustable. 8-) I made a burner with adjustable output and if anything it lasted longer. It's just to bad one of the wires broke reattached and killed the diode....why do all lasers have to die? :'( :-[

--hydro15
 
Hmmmm, I need to get some epoxy or something to reinforce the pins on my diode so that doesn't happen to me.

Any suggestions on a good quality pot to use for making a variable power laser?
 
hydrogenman15 said:
[quote author=Galdor link=1221522648/0#4 date=1221624407]Cool! I will have to experiment with the driver on my DMM and see what happens.
Need to get a good pot or rheostat first though.

The idea actually came from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92OjbeZZSMU
Click to expand...

You should have NO problems if that very weak kes-400 BR diode can be adjustable. 8-) I made a burner with adjustable output and if anything it lasted longer. It's just to bad one of the wires broke reattached and killed the diode....why do all lasers have to die? :'( :-[
--hydro15[/quote]


it's not dead ... just unconcious ...
 
There isnt really such thing as a "good" pot. a pot is a pot, its what you buy and need it for that counts ;)
 
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