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FrozenGate by Avery

The, "I want to build a laser", Thread

:bumpit: Apologies but I think it should be on the first page and it had fallen off. I do keep adding to this guide as I find useful nik-naks around the place so it does keep growing.

Thanks to those who have linked this thread in their sig or by personal recommendation. It seems to be doing a reasonable job as it is quoted by some of the newer members and the questions that comes after, "I have read the, "I want to build a laser thread"... ", are more specific and informed.

M
:)
 
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Thank you Morgan that was an awesome informative instructional about laser building. Its the first comprehensive info that really I understood! Thanks for the vets who really know their stuff. It keeps people safe and informed!
 
No problem. I'm glad you found it useful. Now go build that laser! :D

Pics in a fresh thread when you're done too please...

M
:)
 
Hey guys so I just wanted to ask a question: If I am making a PHR laser in the Blue M host stonetek has, should I solder the case pin to the negative or positive min on the diode? Does it matter?
 
Hi guys, im getting a couple of DVD-RW diodes, how do u find out the mA of a laser diode? or is there a chart for every laser diode chart? does it depends on the output mW ?
 
^ This is a question of testing I'm afraid. If you have a known DVD-RW drive diode then the testing may already have been done by other members and it may be documented. Alternatively, it's a matter of hooking them up, gradually increasing current and seeing where it dies, hooking another one up and doing the same, and so on... After a while you will have a set of numbers for that particular diode. This does require some specialist equipment to do correctly.

If these are nice and cheap and the first diodes you have used then expect to kill them, (this way you won't be disappointed), and use it as a learning curve. Otherwise, stick to the diodes we commonly use and that are well understood. There should be a link in the first post to get you to the, "Diode Compilation Thread", (if not, then do a search and let me know as it should be there), but my advice for a first, 'user friendly', diode is to go for a LOC or, 'Long Can Open', (the 650nm red from the LPC-815 sled). Plenty of information on this site about them; they are pretty cheap should you kill one and; always available from someone here.

You should also be aware that the diodes you may get could be an infrared output which presents its own problems. Where are you getting them from? Do some reading on this and try to find some numbers for the DVD-RW drive, (most useful), or your diodes, (less likely), and search the forum/internet for info. If you have trouble then post some photos and the links you have used and we may be able to help further.

Good luck.

M
:)

(P.S. Hi TJ! ;) )
 
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Its great to see you back Morgan!! :beer: You've certainly been missed. Has your studies been keeping you away?
 
Thanks, I'll be cheaking the diodes compilation thread to search for them.

DVD-RW Models are:
LG GSA-H55N
and
LG GSA H54W

I'll be harvesting the diode tomorrow and let u know more then.
Also, I'll run some searches on the models numbers, and further searches if I get more information from the insides and diodes and comment then.
Already been reading the forum, I'll be extra carefull from IR.
Thanks for the info!
 
^ Just do a search for the drive numbers on LPF. I did that and there are many posts referring to this drive. It would appear that it contains a LOC but briefly scanning the threads it seems harvesting may be tricky.

Hey Kevlar - Yes, the studying had been taking up most of my waking thoughts. It was worth it though... Doing the extra units got me a triple distinction and therefore gets me a better qualification - a National Diploma instead of just a National Certificate. This would mean I could be accepted to do a degree if I wanted but it's more important to separate myself from the other apprentices! The work side is now pulling me in different directions again, and all over the place, so I still won't be settled for another 18 months or so. Still, it's good to see many different sides of the business.

Anyway, I'm threadjacking my own thread so I'll cut it off there. Suffice to say it's nice to have been missed and nice to back, (for however short a period). Catch you in some other threads...

M
:)
 
Found some results for the H55N here on LPF.
Now I only need to identify the visible one. There are 2 diodes in here.
Be posting soon with more results.

Before testing anything... or frying anything, remind me again, DVD-RW red laser diode right? so, if I have two laser diodes inside the dvd-rw, one is IR, right?
And
Is this the right polarity for a red diode?

redy.png
 
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woohoo, handy source of information. Thanks for taking the time to write it. Very helpful!

Question, is there somewhere out there where it shows dvd burners by model and what diodes they have? I'd hate to buy a dvd burner and get a cheap plastic case diode that doesn't have a nice metal case. Is there a common dvd burner model out there that is recommended?
 
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@ InMetal - Yes, the pinouts you have there are correct for a Long Open Can diode, or LOC, that can also be found in the LPC-815 sled, (picture above found in the Diode Compilation thread for others coming after ;) ).

The diode you are after looks like this -

In heatsink -
2qv8844.jpg
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQL0nKuizLrsFoCUbQ5uM4gABb-BajISxM8gRE2QwHIbIQF_kNdLg

Extracted -
14bmf75.jpg
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrw3Wcg2epJVV7Vn6fp8G0FB1s9N0DBDB79yULUAOnQm4AL5iUuydHl4ET

Check out the link mentioning the LOC in the first post under, "Harvesting Common Diodes". Yours may not be exactly the same to harvest but it should give you some clues to extracting one safely and without damage. Don't be touching the front of the die now!


@ random person - As far as I'm aware, there isn't a single thread that collates all that info. A couple of reasons for that I think... One is that, when talking about red LDs available, the open can diode from the LPC-815 sled is just about the best one to get and at around the $10 mark, (sometimes cheaper), it isn't a rare, or an expensive item. The tests have been done a long time ago and it is well understood. (Just for kicks, check this thread out - http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/red-laser-diode-roundup-36202.html ). Secondly, with Bluray burners, there are so few high power diodes that, at high write speeds, most manufacturers are going to be using very similar products so it's just a matter of following the numbers, checking out the bluray threads and watching what's on sale in the GB and sales threads.

If you're thinking of buying a drive then you can always do what InMetal did and do a search with the drive number here on LPF and someone may have posted that info. There are so many obscure drives out there though that a comprehensive list would be unworkable. A rule of thumb, (and ONLY a rule of thumb!), is that the higher the write speed, the higher power the diode is likely to be. However, this doesn't necessarily tell you about the wavelength, the ease of extraction or anything regarding what you can safely run it at.


There is the aforementioned, "Diode Compilation Thread", that does mention almost all of the commonest and most useful diodes along with the sled part number, (possibly not the complete drive but when buying diodes it's all you need). There is no substitute for reading through the links and threads though.

Happy hunting!

M
:)
 
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TY Morgan for coming back- I hope you can get all the other things in your life going well so you will have the time to come here more often.

Len
 
Glad to see this back! This is a good source for new
People and im sure many have not seen it!
 
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