Simple Laser Power Meter Using IR Thermometer

[sightfx]

I had to build one of these little things. It's consisntant for sure. Who knows how close it is to other meters. how close are other meters to each other?

I used the block shaped plastic from the packaging that held the strap to make a draft cover and protect the target.

-SightFX

 

[Benm]

Looks like a pretty nifty construction to me

I like the simplicity of the whole thing, the only bother to me is that it relies on a 'magic number' to convert temperature to power, or on calibration from a known laser.

I have tried to overcome that in the laser power gauge project, but even with that accuracy seems limited to the order of 10%. If you need something more accurate or something that will measure <10 mW, it seems there is little choice but to buy something a bit more expensive.

 

[mgc8]

You can get these in maplin (UK) - # N19FR £15
Or in germany @ conrad.de - # 122301-62 €19
I must try this when I get home....

Oh, the horror! MAPLIN only delivers to the UK -- I had actually built a little over 100 pounds of a basket and they just threw out an error

Igor had already told me about Conrad, unfortunately they don't accept Paypal or even Credit Cards for that matter, and I really won't do a bank transfer for 20€. So boo... I really wish there was a decent on-line electronics shop with world-wide delivery, I mean if the likes of DX can do it why can't any EU/US shop deliver?! Really bummer on this one.

 

[HIMNL9]

Here they cost a lot, so i found some on ebay

strange shaped

Forehead Thermometer LCD Digital Infrared Baby Adult - eBay (item 260440291501 end time Aug-02-09 00:06:04 PDT)

Digital Ear Infrared IR Thermometer Adult Baby Portable - eBay (item 260440728915 end time Aug-02-09 20:01:09 PDT)

Infrared Digital Thermometer Wide Temperature Range - eBay (item 180382408501 end time Aug-12-09 13:28:22 PDT)

more common shapes

NEW MINI NON CONTACT INFRARED THERMOMETER TEMP GUN AUTO:eBay Motors (item 380139517975 end time Jul-19-09 17:44:40 PDT)

FLUKE 61 INFRARED LASER THERMOMETER - eBay (item 300330331868 end time Jul-21-09 11:04:28 PDT)

Atomik Microtemp RC MT-002 infrared thermometer w/Case - eBay (item 170358431418 end time Jul-21-09 11:51:18 PDT)

Digital Infrared POCKET THERMOMETER Ghost Hunting HVAC - eBay (item 110413323186 end time Jul-19-09 18:39:05 PDT)

"reptile thermometer" ? ..... LOL

NEW! ZILLA Digital INFRARED Reptile Thermometer LCD - eBay (item 230354760242 end time Aug-05-09 08:23:53 PDT)

 

[Falcone]

I bought two and while read the instruction sheet I found the manufacture's site:
ZYtemp.com

product line is amazing!
ZyTemp -- TN105i2 Infrared Thermometer

The unit Mr. Warske uses and Harbor Freight Tools relabels is the TN105i2.
ZyTemp -- Hand Held Selection Guide

Here is the PDF for their EXTENSIVE catalog and sellers including the UK although I checked UK seller does not carry the TN105i2
ZyTemp -- Infrared Thermometer & Thermocouple Thermometer

I saw the thing priced at $4.00 USD + SH from Taiwan.
buy 10, keep 2 and sell the other 8 to payoff your expense


Hope that helps

Rod

 

[mgc8]

I bought two and while read the instruction sheet I found the manufacture's site:
ZYtemp.com

Hey, that is wonderful! Thank you, thank you

Here is the PDF for their EXTENSIVE catalog and sellers including the UK although I checked UK seller does not carry the TN105i2

Well, actually I believe the second one on this page named "TN1" is the same, it certainly looks like it; it's just extremely expensive...

I'll check the other sites first, there are many shops and I guess at least one should be able to sell this... Thanks again, I'll write here if and when I buy it!

 

[Spyderz20x6]

Very interesting.
However, I already have an LPM, and I am to lazy/busy to build one of these IR Thermo LPMs. It's a great idea though, and I will be awaiting comparison results...

 

[Falcone]

ngc8,
When I bought mine I saw that Harbor Freight had the TN1 you found and it is twice the cost. I assume that is because the 'newer' one has a max temp range of 220C while the one in this post and in my hand has a max of 50C.

I have the feeling the older model is being phased out, I don't know this for sure though.

Good hunting,
Rod

 

[mgc8]

ngc8,When I bought mine I saw that Harbor Freight had the TN1 you found and it is twice the cost. I assume that is because the 'newer' one has a max temp range of 220C while the one in this post and in my hand has a max of 50C.I have the feeling the older model is being phased out, I don't know this for sure though.

Oh, I see now... I didn't look at the details closely enough. In that case I guess the price is not bad at all, especially considering the ones I found online for around 100€ (I'm not kidding, there were several places selling them around that price). I think the UK one looks very promising in this new light

 

[scopeguy20]

Bravo Warske! Another further improvement w/b to get silver foil, then blacken it w/ liver of sulfur, as the surface then would be the best possible foil black body, no one has a better all color absorber than oxidized silver. And it also conducts heat fast, so use a small piece I thing a circle about 16 mm s/b ideal. I want to see this become a tried tested and proven method as so many people need to know about what the output is and the $ for meters is high. If I find time I may compare this with my Kenom thermal Laser Power Meter which I truly believe is very accurate. -Glenn

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Thanks a lot for this. I am definately gonna build one when I got time.

 

[lasersbee]

Warske is not with us anymore... he was harassed and bullied by another member
a while back and left the forum...

Warske had a head on his shoulders...
(more than I can say for that other member)
and he was an asset to the LPF Community... This thread is proof of that...

Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

 

[ZRTMWA]

Warske is not with us anymore... he was harassed and bullied by another member
a while back and left the forum...

Warske had a head on his shoulders...
(more than I can say for that other member)
and he was an asset to the LPF Community... This thread is proof of that...

Jerry

This thread is very informative and I plan to try out this Poor Man's LPM. But it seems like they brought it on each other although I can't say I was a member of the forum at the time.

 

[HIMNL9]

Warske is not with us anymore... he was harassed and bullied by another member
a while back and left the forum...

Ok, now, maybe i'm stupid, but don't know why he left the forum just for that ..... after all, we're in an online community, right ?

I mean, if someone harass and bully you, just ignore him/her/it, and the problem solve itself (or, if really needed, PM an admin and ask for a solution) ..... never understood why some peoples are so sensitive, that get offended to death and abandon all, just cause someother is more stupid (and, sorry if this seem rude, but is not intention to offend ..... is just that, when i see someone that give offenses and do bullism online, overall if without any good reason, i simply considerate this conduct as stupidity ..... just personal feeling )

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Ok, now, maybe i'm stupid, but don't know why he left the forum just for that ..... after all, we're in an online community, right ?

I mean, if someone harass and bully you, just ignore him/her/it, and the problem solve itself (or, if really needed, PM an admin and ask for a solution) ..... never understood why some peoples are so sensitive, that get offended to death and abandon all, just cause someother is more stupid (and, sorry if this seem rude, but is not intention to offend ..... is just that, when i see someone that give offenses and do bullism online, overall if without any good reason, i simply considerate this conduct as stupidity ..... just personal feeling )

Very well said, but you cannot imagine how sensitive some people might be, even online.
Anyway, this DIY looks awesome and as I said, I am gonna build it some day as I have no money for a more professional LPM.

 

[ZRTMWA]

I think youcan buy old LPM's off of ebay for $100 and below. Not sure how well they would function though.