My laser is sick, help!!

[Xplorer877]

My 20mW green laser started acting up and I don't know why. It starts off really bright then after a few seconds it gets dim to like 50% power and after another 15 seconds it goes way down to 2-3mW, with fresh e[sup]2[/sup]. What could be the prob? I'm very found of this laser I've had it for like two years.

This is what kind it is.
http://www.plans-kits.com/lasers.html

 

[john_lawson]

its a basic newish style thats usually a sign of it failing but its cheaper to buy another than to try and fix i hope you didnt pay any more than 20 for it :'(

 

[Xplorer877]

its a basic newish style thats usually  a sign of it failing but its cheaper to buy another than to try and fix i hope you didnt pay any more than 20 for it  :'(

Well I just don't wanna see it go. :'( Twas one of my first. It's like my OG laser you know. However, I have a 50mW coming from LED Shoppe.

 

[Switch]

It's probably mode hopping.You can check that with a lens, try to find any quick shape changes at the moment of dimming, that's what my DX30 does too.

 

[MrViper82]

Yeah, it's mode hopping. I had one just like it but 50mW. As soon as I got it, it started mode hopping. Occassionally, the button would fail to operate. I got the seller to send me a replacement though. I even got to keep the first laser but it quit working altogher before the replacement even arrived. Oh well, the replacement worked just fine, no mode hopping at all. I think it's more like a coin toss on wheather you get a good unit when it comes to this laser.

Sorry to hear it finally went to crap on you,
Lance

 

[Xplorer877]

It's probably mode hopping.You can check that with a lens, try to find any quick shape changes at the moment of dimming, that's what my DX30 does too.

Well no I don't think it's mode hopping. I expanded the beam with a lens and there were no changes in it's shape. :-/

 

[artix]

I think your only options are: 1. Deal with it. or 2. Replace the module. Might as well get a 100mW module from Susie.

 

[Xplorer877]

Well I found out what the prob was. One of the new e[sup]2[/sup] was bad! :-? I don't know why but it was not 1.5v. I put some new Duracell alkalies and it was a bright as the day I got it. I'm glad it wasn't the laser. It's odd that one of the new e[sup]2[/sup] was no good. :-?