My diy red!

[artix]

OK, I just finished my first diy red! But It gets really hot! after a few seconds of keeping it on, and it cant focus properly... but it can really burn!

But thanks to everyone that helped me with this!

yes my picture sucks...

 

[pseudolobster]

Nice work!

Welcome to the club!

I've got a couple of photography pointers though... Your camera (if it's not a cameraphone) should have a two-stage pushbutton for the shutter... where you hold the camera still, press lightly on the button, it will focus and then beep when it's found proper focus, then you press the button the rest of the way in to take the shot.
Also, if you're going to be attaching them to your post you may want to open them in a photo editor (mspaint works fine), then resize them down to maybe 25% of that size so we don't have to scroll all over the place to see it.

 

[artix]

ok. Its a senkat diode running at 350mA how many mW do you think it is?

 

[pseudolobster]

ok. Its a senkat diode running at 350mA how many mW do you think it is?

about 200mW (or already dead, depending on which senkat diode it is) according to this graph.

 

[artix]

[quote author=Artix link=1216754538/0#2 date=1216770871]ok. Its a senkat diode running at 350mA how many mW do you think it is?

about 200mW (or already dead, depending on which senkat diode it is) according to this graph.[/quote]

nope, its the SLD1239JL-54

 

[Chad]

[quote author=pseudolobster link=1216754538/0#3 date=1216771297][quote author=Artix link=1216754538/0#2 date=1216770871]ok. Its a senkat diode running at 350mA how many mW do you think it is?

about 200mW (or already dead, depending on which senkat diode it is) according to this graph.[/quote]

nope, its the SLD1239JL-54 [/quote]

Then you should be fine. I have one running at about that, and it's 190 consistently... hasn't died after a few weeks of heavy use, either.

 

[styropyro]

What lens are you using? If you are using an acrylic lens it may be worth it to buy an Aixiz glass lens, it should boost the power of your laser by about 5%.

 

[artix]

What lens are you using? If you are using an acrylic lens it may be worth it to buy an Aixiz glass lens, it should boost the power of your laser by about 5%.

no. I got a Meredith Glass module [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

 

[styropyro]

[quote author=styropyro link=1216754538/0#6 date=1216776442]What lens are you using? If you are using an acrylic lens it may be worth it to buy an Aixiz glass lens, it should boost the power of your laser by about 5%.

no. I got a Meredith Glass module [smiley=thumbsup.gif][/quote]
Oh I just assumed you used an aixiz module. :-[ Well with the Merideth glass lens that thing should easily be putting out over 200mW.

 

[artix]

But why is it so hot? when I touched the driver it was really hot! and why cant it focus, the best I get is a huge spot at about 1m away!

 

[VillageIdiot]

It's hot because you haven't got much material as a heatsink.

 

[styropyro]

If you can't focus it then you probably didn't install the diode properly. I've never messed with a Merideth module before, but I think you have to have the diode pressed in the adapter "more than flush" if you know what I mean. Try asking daguin or Jayrob about it, they are "experts" with those modules. ;D

 

[daguin]

If you can't focus it then you probably didn't install the diode properly. I've never messed with a Merideth module before, but I think you have to have the diode pressed in the adapter "more than flush" if you know what I mean. Try asking daguin or Jayrob about it, they are "experts" with those modules. ;D

Here's the graphic from TheGr8Revealing

As you can see, the diode must be pressed farther in than flush. I know that this is drawn for the bu-ray, but Jarob worked with reds before we figured this out. He was sanding down both the adapter and the lens holder to get the red diode close enough to the lens. Your diode is too far from the lens. Press it in the rest of the way and it should work fine.

And let me second VillageIdiot's statement. If it is feeling hot then you are either not giving it enough heat sink or you are running it too long. I have not seen your heat sink so it is difficult to say. Keep your burns under a minute and allow the laser to cool between burns. Heat is the #1 killer of diodes.

Peace,
dave

 

[artix]

[quote author=styropyro link=1216754538/0#11 date=1216845347]If you can't focus it then you probably didn't install the diode properly. I've never messed with a Merideth module before, but I think you have to have the diode pressed in the adapter "more than flush" if you know what I mean. Try asking daguin or Jayrob about it, they are "experts" with those modules. ;D

Here's the graphic from TheGr8Revealing

As you can see, the diode must be pressed farther in than flush.  I know that this is drawn for the bu-ray, but Jarob worked with reds before we figured this out.  He was sanding down both the adapter and the lens holder to get the red diode close enough to the lens.  Your diode is too far from the lens.  Press it in the rest of the way and it should work fine.

And let me second VillageIdiot's statement.  If it is feeling hot then you are either not giving it enough heat sink or you are running it too long.  I have not seen your heat sink so it is difficult to say.  Keep your burns under a minute and allow the laser to cool between burns.  Heat is the #1 killer of diodes.

Peace,
dave

[/quote]

ok I have the meredith 'mount' and how do I get the diode in like that? I already soldered on the driver :-/

 

[daguin]

ok I have the meredith 'mount' and how do I get the diode in like that? I already soldered on the driver :-/

Sorry. Unless you can fabricate something that can fit "over" the two faces of the driver AND still be strong enough to press the diode in, there is no EASY way to deal with it now. Unsolder the driver. You may want to solder some short leads onto the pins now. Use a small "tube" to finish pressing the diode all the way into the adapter. Solder the driver to the leads. Use some "hot glue" to hold the driver in place against the back of the module/heat sink.

Peace,
dave

 

[jamie.91]

hey great build i just finished my first diy red aswell lol

btw the box is a lil big but still great laser