The red laser in my Raytek minitemp

[brisco]

I made a discovery today when I was sitting around doing nothing I wanted to see if i could put a burning laser in my Raytek minitemp infra red thermometer. The laser is just for direction so you can see that you are straight on what you are wanting to take the temp of. I opened it up and saw it was on a small board that had a pot on it. It was rated at 1mw and 630 to 670 nm. The dot looked small and weak. I turned the pot and it got really bright. So thats kind of cool that this has a way to make it brighter at least.

Now that I have my long winded introduction out of the way I was wondering if this could be used to run a burning laser diode? I have to see what the voltage is to the diode in this but what is the normal voltage suposed to be to a burner diode? I am getting one of the phazer diodes from the group buy. What is the diode voltage for that one to burn well and not burn out? I am posting some pictures. Please tell me if I have to modify this hole part or if it is just a quick solder on and have it work.

Thanks.

 

[brisco]

another

 

[brisco]

another

 

[brisco]

last one.

 

[wooooooolazer]

Nope sorry, it will provide the right voltage but thats not what matters, its current, Since its only meant to power a 5mw one it wont be able to run a burning one.

...lazer... ;D ;D ;D

 

[brisco]

cant I change the components in this and make it work?

 

[wooooooolazer]

Its hard to say, you could swap the resistors to a lower value one allowing more current to it but then some of the components might get fried due to not being designed to tolerate that current level.

....lazer... ;D ;D ;D

 

[brisco]

easier to just put it in a flash light.

 

[Switch]

Swapping those tiny resistor would be tricky.You should try to see what kind of current you get with the pot maxed out.Or even removing the pot and solder the conectors together.It might give you enough for a 50-60mW, who knows...But you're gonna have another problem with heatsinking.That module is very small, so if you can stick a slab of aluminum to it, it will help with the duty cycle.