Power Meter Calibration and Comparison

[Zom-B]

I think we don't have to worry about theft that much but I don't think people are going to be honest because of the possibility of being banned. If the laser somehow gets lost in the mail there is no way of telling if the person got away with it or not, so banning is not a possibility.

As for customs, I don't think it's going to be confiscated when we disguise it as something not even remotely looking like a laser (flashlight?) even if we have to put the ready-to-use module in the battery compartment of something innocuous

I was also considering the mains powered laser, but different adapters have different plugs around the world, and with including a whole psu in the laser doesn't the package become a bit too heavy?

Jayrob, is that an old kryton barrel?

 

[jamilm9]

put it in a radio and the beam comes out of the anttena.

 

[muledeer]

This is an excellent idea - I wouldn't be involved in any testing but am willing to contribute to the "pool" to help cover expenses.

It does make the most sense to keep the tests within the contiguous US to avoid the added risk of customs. There are enough representative calibration machines to satisfy the test.

I'm no electronics expert by any stretch but wouldn't a fixed output driver (rckstr 100mw) attached to a diode provide the least amount of variation when tested by multiple machines vs. an adjustable?

Mule

 

[daguin]

I think we don't have to worry about theft that much but I don't think people are going to be honest because of the possibility of being banned. If the laser somehow gets lost in the mail there is no way of telling if the person got away with it or not, so banning is not a possibility.

As long as it is in the US, it can be sent priority mail with signature confirmation. That way it can be tracked AND someone has to sign for the package.

Peace,
dave

 

[Zom-B]

This is an excellent idea - I wouldn't be involved in any testing but am willing to contribute to the "pool" to help cover expenses.

It does make the most sense to keep the tests within the contiguous US to avoid the added risk of customs. There are enough representative calibration machines to satisfy the test.

I'm no electronics expert by any stretch but wouldn't a fixed output driver (rckstr 100mw) attached to a diode provide the least amount of variation when tested by multiple machines vs. an adjustable?

Mule

What do you mean by not being involved but still contributing? You don't have a power meter but you will donate money??

Also remember that not every participant is in the US. It would however make sense to concentrate on people in the same continent/country before sending it to another continent/country.

Alternative: If we can find one person in every continent who has got a very precise meter, then we can split this process in tree (or four) and after finishing, just assume everyone agrees on their power.q

 

[jayrob]

Jayrob, is that an old kryton barrel?

Yes, the 1st run Kryton barrel! I only have one more of these to build for sale:
http://www.laserpointerforums.com/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1212202326
But I'm pretty sure that it is spoken for. He just has not sent the funds yet...

Meter comparison...
muledeer, I too, feel that it would be easier for a U.S. group (shipping wise). I know that daguin, Kenom, myself, and electron (who just got an awesome meter), are all in the U.S.
Jay

 

[daguin]

muledeer, I too, feel that it would be easier for a U.S. group (shipping wise). I know that daguin, Kenom, myself, and electron (who just got an awesome meter), are all in the U.S.

We can probably get GooeyGus, Senkat, Scopegy20, & Jake involved as well. There are also another couple of members who have purchased the Laserbee unit that may come onboard. I've probably omitted some as well :-[

Peace,
dave

 

[rkcstr]

This is the AC adapter I have:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...&cp=2032056.2818119.2818335&parentPage=family

And, as Kenom suggested, I could probably make up a small IEC adapter where the AC adapter plugs in one side and the IEC goes in the other so that all someone outside of the US has to do is find an IEC cord which most computers will use.

Currently, the AC adapter with an Aixiz module with the diode/driver in a 6" x 8" x 1" box weighs less than 10oz and as long as it's under 13oz, it can be shipped 1st Class Mail or via Airmail to international locations, though it may be more desireable to use Priority shipping for faster delivery

 

[jayrob]

[quote author=jayrob link=1217029972/20#21 date=1217171948]
muledeer, I too, feel that it would be easier for a U.S. group (shipping wise). I know that daguin, Kenom, myself, and electron (who just got an awesome meter), are all in the U.S.

We can probably get GooeyGus, Senkat, Scopegy20, & Jake involved as well.  There are also another couple of members who have purchased the Laserbee unit that may come onboard.  I've probably omitted some as well  :-[

Peace,dave[/quote]

Not trying to cut others out of this cool idea just because they live outside of the U.S. But just thinking out loud...

Maybe a couple of different groups? A U.S. group, and another.

I personally believe that a FlexDrive unit would be fine. The driver is so efficient, that all each tester would need to do, is make sure his batteries are new. (the batteries could be half dead, and still get the same results with this driver) Just thinking in terms of easy shipping, not even having to ship with batteries, or adapter...
Jay

 

[Kenom]

I agree that the flexdrive is the best choice and that's nothing to do with your driver not being a good one rckstr. With the constant output you don't have to worry about the battery being a factor in the testing. I know that my red with a flexdrive in it has a STABLE constant output that doesn't fluctuate by 1mw. Same with my bluray. It would be nice to setup multiple test units, one for the U.S. and one for the international people. If we are going to opt for the flexdrive option, batteries would be the best option instead of a psu. This is a really really good Idea and can't wait to git'r'done.

 

[Zom-B]

That's what I suggested.

Alternative: If we can find one person in every continent who has got a very precise meter, then we can split this process in tree (or four) and after finishing, just assume everyone agrees on their power.

I was almost about to suggest a poll to query where willing participants live


Offtopic: What's going on? I tried to quote my post, and I thought it was strange my text was not surrounded by a

, and after posting, the quoted message was replaced with the new one, as if I had edited my post (which I'm 100% sure I didn't as I triple checked)

 

[daguin]

Offtopic: What's going on? I tried to quote my post, and I thought it was strange my text was not surrounded by a ( edit) , and after posting, the quoted message was replaced with the new one, as if I had edited my post (which I'm 100% sure I didn't as I triple checked)

Perhaps there was a disturbance in the force.

Peace,
dave

 

[jayrob]

I agree that the flexdrive is the best choice and that's nothing to do with your driver not being a good one rckstr.  With the constant output you don't have to worry about the battery being a factor in the testing.    I know that my red with a flexdrive in it has a STABLE constant output that doesn't fluctuate by 1mw.  Same with my bluray.  It would be nice to setup multiple test units, one for the U.S. and one for the international people.  If we are going to opt for the flexdrive option, batteries would be the best option instead of a psu.  This is a really really good Idea and can't wait to git'r'done.

Hope I'm not getting too far ahead of myself here, but all we (U.S. group) need is someone to be the point man for the U.S. Someone who has good building skills, and who also has good organization for listing the names of the U.S. participants....

Hmmm... Kenom! I nominate Kenom. Let's agree on a U.S. point man, get a list of participants, figure out the cost, and send our 'point man' the money to get started in the U.S.! Maybe sell the laser afterwards, and donate the money to LPF or something...

U.S. list so far:

Kenom
jayrob
daguin
Senkat?
muledeer?
electron?

Jay

 

[daguin]

Hmmm... Kenom! I nominate Kenom. Let's agree on a U.S. point man, get a list of participants, figure out the cost, and send our 'point man' the money to get started in the U.S.! Maybe sell the laser afterwards, and donate the money to LPF or something...

U.S. list so far:

Kenom
jayrob
daguin
Senkat?
muledeer?
electron?

Yeah, Kenom doesn't have nearly enough to do right now

You'll get plenty of sleep after you die . . .

Peacev,
dave

 

[Kenom]

well, I'll do it if ya wants me to, but I have issues with my paypal presently so it might make it difficult to purchase components even though I have most of the components on hand now.  I'll have the paypal account sorted soon enough.  I even have a Dorcy Jr that I could throw both of these into with a flex drive. (dual headed one)  the dual headed one would cut down on shipping size and can easily be thrown into the tripod camera stand and clip from dx (which I would include so folks can have the laser stable)

 

[jayrob]

well, I'll do it if ya wants me to, but I have issues with my paypal presently so it might make it difficult to purchase components even though I have most of the components on hand now.  I'll have the paypal account sorted soon enough.  I even have a Dorcy Jr that I could throw both of these into with a flex drive. (dual headed one)  the dual headed one would cut down on shipping size and can easily be thrown into the tripod camera stand and clip from dx

That's what I'm missing... a low range FlexDrive. (otherwise I could be the point man too) I have a bunch on order from DrLava, but he is still waiting for the over seas shipment. Do you have low range FlexDrives? I figured you might, with the Kryton Groove pending...
Jay