Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

Buy Site Supporter Role (remove some ads) | LPF Donations

Links below open in new window

FrozenGate by Avery

So I bought a green laser on eBay...

On the topic of batteries-- AAAs don't seem to be enough for this thing. I've gone through several pairs of AAAs by now. Should I switch to AAs? I could probably fit up to a C battery holder on the gun.
 





chronomadic said:
On the topic of batteries-- AAAs don't seem to be enough for this thing. I've gone through several pairs of AAAs by now. Should I switch to AAs? I could probably fit up to a C battery holder on the gun.
Click to expand...

You'll probably have to end up using lithium ion batteries as they can supply more current to the diode. Regular AAAs just don't have what it takes.
 
Yeah, I was just using alkalines. I'll pick some Li-Ions up next time I go out. Thanks for the tip!

EDIT: Maybe I should be a bit more clear with my problem, as I'm not 100% sure it's the batteries at all.

When I first got this laser, it worked absolutely flawlessly. When I first hooked it up to my prototype board, it worked flawlessly. The only other things on the board are a tact switch, a 3V piezo buzzer and a single green LED. Now, for some reason, when I first activate the laser, it is dim. I chalked this up to weak batteries. HOWEVER, when I leave the thing powered for a minute or so, it gradually builds up to full power (or at least close to it) and stays there until I leave it powered off for a while, which makes it go back to starting off dim. Is this just a case of current draw problems, or is something wrong with the laser itself?
 
Last edited:
Diode's dead. Project ruined. Halloween cancelled.

I hooked it up to a 3.7V cell phone li-ion and it no longer works, even at lower voltage. I thought it could work up to 4.2V but apparently I was wrong! So much for my first laser. $30 down the drain and now I'm broke.

UPDATE: Getting a free replacement. I'm a pretty good liar. :P

Hopefully it gets here before halloween.

I think I know what happened, in retrospect. I had the pot turned down a bit, which was working alright on AAAs. The new battery was probably too much for it at that setting. It's a 3.7V Samsung cell phone rechargeable, 1000 mAh.
 
Last edited:
If anything, having the pot lower would have saved it. Either you hooked up something incorrectly, or it was operating near max power dissipation on AAAs to begin with.
 
Cyparagon said:
If anything, having the pot lower would have saved it. Either you hooked up something incorrectly, or it was operating near max power dissipation on AAAs to begin with.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the pot being turned up is what did it. I wasn't even thinking about that. Mistakes are to be learned from, not forgotten. I will definitely have the pot turned down before I plug the new one in.

Any other safety measures I can take?
 
Last edited:
Well, I have just been informed by the seller that adjusting the lens could 'damage' the diode. Complete bullshit, right?
 
LOL, Thats pretty stupid on their part.

If you know what your doing, then by all means, go ahead!
 
Do some experiments and kill some diodes, and the fun part is let the new stuff keep coming.. the fun never ends.
 
Wow! I'm surprised they could even communicate with you, unless you know Mandarin. Chinese Junk used to be the name of a type of ship, now it just means most electronics.
 
Last edited:
RichA said:
Wow! I'm surprised they could even communicate with you, unless you know Mandarin. Chinese Junk used to be the name of a type of ship, now it just means most electronics.
Click to expand...

Well, the guy himself was from Tennessee. :P

I got my new laser and I'm trying to mount it in the barrel of this gun. the laser is a bit too small and I need to figure out a way to do it so the laser is aimed properly, without screws.
 
chronomadic said:
Well, the guy himself was from Tennessee. :P

I got my new laser and I'm trying to mount it in the barrel of this gun. the laser is a bit too small and I need to figure out a way to do it so the laser is aimed properly, without screws.
Click to expand...

Unless it's specifically machined (or a sleeve machined for it) it will be tough to align without some kind of screws or other alignment devices.
 
I managed to drill through the barrel and get screws in to align it, but the project failed in another unforseen way. The glue I used to secure the tact switch ended up working for a few minutes, and then somehow seeped into the switch and locked it up completely. I may be able to fix it in the future, but for right now, the project is cancelled. I'm tired of it. The laser still works, and I'll take some pictures of it working while hotwired together later today.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top