I have completed a heatsinked sony16X (Stonetek) laser pointer using a host from an 'energizer' torch which uses 3AAA batteries.
I am using a rockstar driver set to 248mA, and was quite surprised to find that it lases well using 3 AAA alkaline batteries.
What concerned me was that with all the reading that i have done on these forums, as well as the info that comes with the rockstar drivers, I didn't think i would be able to run it at such a low voltage. I used my DMM to measure the voltage and it was 4.42 V. (also measured 125mW on my friends Coherent laser meter, using axiz glass optics)
I then put 3x NiMH AAA batteries (3.93 V) and it worked too!
These values are significantly lower than the stated 5.15 V for a red laser/ rockstar driver combination.
Can anyone shed any light on this, could this possibly be damaging to the diode? ( I wouldn't think so but I'm certainly no expert)
I have been using it for ages ( with the alkalines) and it is still working fine.
Regards,
Gammadude
I am using a rockstar driver set to 248mA, and was quite surprised to find that it lases well using 3 AAA alkaline batteries.
What concerned me was that with all the reading that i have done on these forums, as well as the info that comes with the rockstar drivers, I didn't think i would be able to run it at such a low voltage. I used my DMM to measure the voltage and it was 4.42 V. (also measured 125mW on my friends Coherent laser meter, using axiz glass optics)
I then put 3x NiMH AAA batteries (3.93 V) and it worked too!
These values are significantly lower than the stated 5.15 V for a red laser/ rockstar driver combination.
Can anyone shed any light on this, could this possibly be damaging to the diode? ( I wouldn't think so but I'm certainly no expert)
I have been using it for ages ( with the alkalines) and it is still working fine.
Regards,
Gammadude