Need help with my 405nm 50mw!

[SJTriggs]

Hi everyone,
So recently I have started making my own lasers from parts purchased on eBay. I am fairly new to it and don't have much experience.

This week I ordered/assembled a 405nm 50mw laser, here are all of the parts:
405nm 50mw CW - LD SLD3232VF SONY 'ebay link' (Diode)
405nm 50mw-400mw 'ebay link' (Driver)
16x55mm Focusable Housing Glass 'ebay link' (Housing)

My problem is that when this is fully assembled, the diode seams really weak (Does not seem like a 50mw power). I have made 10mw 405nm lasers in the past and they had much more power then this one.

Have i done something wrong?

Thanks everyone.

 

[SJTriggs]

Oh, I can upload a quick video of my assembly to you-tube if that will help.

 

[SJTriggs]

anyone?

 

[ARG]

Could be a number of things.

What did you set the driver current to? Is the TTL on the driver enabled?

A picture/video of the setup would help

 

[SJTriggs]

Could be a number of things.

What did you set the driver current to? Is the TTL on the driver enabled?

A picture/video of the setup would help

Hi, thanks for the reply.
1. How do I set the driver current
2. The board has TTL but im not using it
3. Here are some pictures

 

[ARG]

Hi, thanks for the reply.
1. How do I set the driver current
2. The board has TTL but im not using it
3. Here are some pictures

1. The driver current is set with the pot, you should set it before you hook up a diode. If you set the current too high it will cook the diode, if you set it too low you wont get any output.
2. I looked at the data for that driver, it has a pull up on it, you can forget about the TTL input.

 

[SJTriggs]

1. The driver current is set with the pot, you should set it before you hook up a diode. If you set the current too high it will cook the diode, if you set it too low you wont get any output.
2. I looked at the data for that driver, it has a pull up on it, you can forget about the TTL input.

So I adjusted the current and the results of the LD power were much the same. The beam is not even visible in the dark. Could it be my power supply?