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FrozenGate by Avery

Stirling Engine Powered Laser Project Idea.

AaronT

AaronT

0
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
320
Points
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Nearest I can tell, is this Stirling Engine should be putting out about 6v and at least 0.03 ... amps.

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I think that would push an efficient diode/driver combo to about 10mW or so.

It would show from the discovery of fire, thermal to mechanical, mechanical to electrical and electrical to laser emission all in a tidy desktop package.

Any recommendations on where I can find a quality low power driver/diode combo for this?

Could I go real cheap and use a diode/driver from a cheap "5mW" pen?

I also want to use clear plexiglass for the diode/lens housing and go with an open can on the diode so that can be seen as well.

Add a steering mirror and I think it will make a dandy addition to my laser collection, and something quite unique.
 
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Wow! Thinking that's a fantastic idea ! I've seen these engines on YouTube and thought they were to cool . Best wishes with your build. This is one review and going up love reading. :drool:
 
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I think the "problem" would be vibration. If that bugs me I'll just put it in my vice to dampen it. On the desk it would make an interesting effect on the wall the laser is pointed at.
 
Yes the videos do show some vibration, maybe put just the Diode on some type shock/mounts that move separately ? :thinking:

Ps, it would make s cool effect though. :)
 
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You should be able to run a cheapie Red Keychain
Laser with your 6V/30mA.
You'll need to test the Voltage and Current under
load to see what that small DC motor/generator
will actually put out..

Jerry
 
AaronT said:
I'm basing by guess on that those LEDs run on about 30mA.
Click to expand...
I can light a white LED at 3V and 3mA...
Like I said... you'd need to test the actual
Voltage and current under load conditions.:beer:

Jerry
 
If it produces 30 mA at 6 volts that should be sufficient to drive a small laser diode, like the cheap red 5 or 10 mW modules.

The output voltage of such a generator will vary greatly with motor speed though, so you will probably need to put some system in place to prevent overdriving the diode. Clamping the voltage with a couple of zener diodes will probably do the trick just fine, though they will waste any excess energy as heat.
 
AaronT said:
I'm basing by guess on that those LEDs run on about 30mA.
Click to expand...

Only if you're trying to kill them. 20mA is the max rating for most 5mm LEDs, but they will appear lit at well under 1mA.

Do you not have an ammeter?
 
Don't have the stirling to test.

I'm still digging around for an old read pointer I was sure I had.

This is looking like a $25 project so I may toss it together.
 
Yeah, just see what it actually does in terms of voltage and current. I'd connect the generator to something like 4 pieces if 1n4007 diodes and see what voltage and current it produces driving that. The voltage should not be a problem (2.5 to 3 volts or so), and if it does over 10 mA current at that you can look into low power laser diodes to drive.
 
AaronT said:
Don't have the stirling to test.

I'm still digging around for an old read pointer I was sure I had.

This is looking like a $25 project so I may toss it together.
Click to expand...
If I knew what part of the Globe you lived..
I could send you a Red Laser for your tests.
There is no location under your Avatar...:thinking:

Jerry
 
These would be the $1 including global shipping little lasers sold on ebay, right ;)
 
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