Newbie looking for a cheap DIY LPM tutorial

[ZeroLaser]

Does anyone know of a DIY LPM tutorial that a beginner could use without ending up with a big price tag?

 

[ARG]

What's your budget?

My ARGMeter's are coming out open source for DIY very soon, but they will cost you >100$ to DIY a TEC version.

You can DIY this for >50$
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/diy-thermal-lpm-under-50-a-51129.html

 

[ZeroLaser]

As cheap as i can get to get me within +/-.1 watt accuracy.

 

[Moistenator]

As cheap as i can get to get me within +/-.1 watt accuracy.

You mean mW? and no...

 

[ZeroLaser]

well i actually meant watts, but if there is performance plateau where you can get much more accuracy than that for the same price then i would definitely want the greatest accuracy for the same price. Lol

i just need something to ball park it for the moment.

 

[ARG]

The accuracy depends on the calibration, which can't be done on your own without an LPM (you can use a laser that you had metered by someone else)

 

[ZeroLaser]

i apologize, but i am rather new....what is involved in calibration? other than just using a standard to adjust the reading.

 

[ARG]

i apologize, but i am rather new....what is involved in calibration? other than just using a standard to adjust the reading.

You take a stable laser lab laser, point it at a calibrated LPM, take note of the reading then point it at the uncalibrated LPM and set the the correct gain on the Opamp.

 

[ZeroLaser]

ok, well that sounds simple enough. i can do that....i think. Thanks.

Now, i just need to find a super cheap kit/tutorial. i am working on shoe string budget.

 

[ARG]

ok, well that sounds simple enough. i can do that....i think. Thanks.

Now, i just need to find a super cheap kit/tutorial. i am working on shoe string budget.

Can you put a number to your budget?

 

[ZeroLaser]

$50.00

 

[ARG]

Try this then?
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/diy-thermal-lpm-under-50-a-51129.html

 

[ZeroLaser]

i was hoping to find a more detailed tutorial possibly with a parts list AND where to pick them up, but if that is all there is then i guess i will just have to figure it out. :/ when will your $100.00 LPMs be available?

 

[ARG]

They are 100$ to DIY, they will be sold at 150$. Available in a week or two.

You can pick up all of that on digikey.

 

[ZeroLaser]

Ok, well thank you for the tips and tolerating my noobness

will there be instructions for your DIY? what tooling will it require? any software compilers our anything like that?

 

[ARG]

Working on instructions. Requires a soldering iron and a computer with internet connection.