please help me finish my laser!

[twentyeggs]

ok i have read the general info and need a little clarification. i found a place where i can get a driver for my diode. or atleast i think i did.. this here is the link
http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=225

but i have questions about it... is this driver going to regulate the power or no i need anything else?

my understanding is the laser pos and neg terminals go into the driver. it looks like there is a pot in the driver already, and then the driver is connected to a power source.

i am unclear on what batteries i need... does it matter? i know the driver needs to be powered and the diode need to be powered. so say the driver needs 3 volts to be powered, and the diode need 5 volts, can i use a 9 volt battery or will the extra volt harm something...

lastly i need a axiez module....

so am i missing anything so complete the laser?

any clarification, help, tips, tricks will be AWESOME!

lasers are awesome and i can't wait to build my own.

 

[kristopher]

ok i have read the general info and need a little clarification. i found a place where i can get a driver for my diode. or atleast i think i did..  this here is the link
http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=225

but i have questions about it... is this driver going to regulate the power or no i need anything else?

my understanding is the laser pos and neg terminals go into the driver. it looks like there is a pot in the driver already, and then the driver is connected to a power source.

i am unclear on what batteries i need... does it matter? i know the driver needs to be powered and the diode need to be powered. so say the driver needs 3 volts to be powered, and the diode need 5 volts, can i use a 9 volt battery or will the extra volt harm something...  

lastly i need a axiez module....

so am i missing anything so complete the laser?

any clarification, help, tips, tricks will be AWESOME!

lasers are awesome and i can't wait to build my own.

twentyeggs,

Welcome to lasers. They are cool. They are also dangerous, so be careful.

1. The driver regulates the power (more importantly the current) to the diode. You adjust the power (current) using the pot on the driver.

2. As for the batteries, you are correct. Anything over 9V will just dissipate as heat in the driver, so try to shoot for close to 9V (as apposed to 12V or something like that)

3.http://stonetek.org/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66 has aixiz modules. Aixiz sells them too, but you'll have to find the link on these forums.

4. Don't forget to check your pinouts of the laser diode. They are not to forgiving. Also, make sure you check the current (power) on a dummy load before hooking up your diode. Also, you might want a host to put it all in. There is a tutorial in the other section, so I'd make sure you read through that too.

Good luck!

 

[deam_87]

and dont forget a heatsink!! we always overuse the darn things so a good heatsink will prevent it from... well.... um.... overheating

 

[randomlugia]

Acually, they are not regulated. You will need 7-12 volts to get it to turn on. Lava Flexdrives are regulated, you only need 3+ volts to use them.