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FrozenGate by Avery

Tutorial: 12X Star Trek Phaser Mod!






The only phaser I can get a hold of for a decent price is the reissue of the Diamond Select one (which I hear is also the Art Asylum one). I can't really tell what the differences between that and the Playmates one are, but I'm wondering how similar they are, and if this mod will be possible with the Diamond Select one.

I found this guide that outlines how to do a mod with a blu-ray laser (which I happen to have from my dead PS3 - I successfully extracted the diode in one piece this evening), but I'm not entirely sure how to go about doing the mod.

First of all, my diode only has four pins, not the five in the tutorial I linked to. Secondly, I'm presuming (from what I understand of lasers and electronics, which isn't HEAPS, to be honest - just enough to get by) that the "beam" effect is only present when captured with a camera, and, unless the laser was far more powerful, the beam would not be present without the aid of said camera.

Therefore, I don't really need a super-powered laser, and so I was wondering if it's possible to tone down the strength so that it still looks very good but that I could use it more like a regular laser pointer i.e. it's safe to use without safety glasses (although of course you still should avoid people's eyes), and I still want to be able to capture a good-looking beam on camera.

So basically, I'm confused as to which tutorial (this one or the one I linked to) I should be following, and if the phaser I'll be getting will be fit for the job. I'd prefer to be able to keep all the sound and light effects that the phaser comes with, just replacing the bulb/LED/whatever it comes with, with the blu-ray laser, but so far, I'm not so sure if that is possible, or if you'd just end up creating a light that's solidly on (or off), and potentially disabling the differences between stun and kill modes.

For the record, I'm trying to achieve as accurate a prop replica as possible. I think the toy already looks good enough to pass (although I may hide the screw holes later on), but I'd just like to add the laser to it to make it that bit more authentic.

I'd really appreciate any help, because I've been reading and reading for hours on this subject, and I'm just confusing myself more and more all the time.
 
TCJJ said:
The only phaser I can get a hold of for a decent price is the reissue of the Diamond Select one (which I hear is also the Art Asylum one). I can't really tell what the differences between that and the Playmates one are, but I'm wondering how similar they are, and if this mod will be possible with the Diamond Select one.

I found this guide that outlines how to do a mod with a blu-ray laser (which I happen to have from my dead PS3 - I successfully extracted the diode in one piece this evening), but I'm not entirely sure how to go about doing the mod.

First of all, my diode only has four pins, not the five in the tutorial I linked to. Secondly, I'm presuming (from what I understand of lasers and electronics, which isn't HEAPS, to be honest - just enough to get by) that the "beam" effect is only present when captured with a camera, and, unless the laser was far more powerful, the beam would not be present without the aid of said camera.

Therefore, I don't really need a super-powered laser, and so I was wondering if it's possible to tone down the strength so that it still looks very good but that I could use it more like a regular laser pointer i.e. it's safe to use without safety glasses (although of course you still should avoid people's eyes), and I still want to be able to capture a good-looking beam on camera.

So basically, I'm confused as to which tutorial (this one or the one I linked to) I should be following, and if the phaser I'll be getting will be fit for the job. I'd prefer to be able to keep all the sound and light effects that the phaser comes with, just replacing the bulb/LED/whatever it comes with, with the blu-ray laser, but so far, I'm not so sure if that is possible, or if you'd just end up creating a light that's solidly on (or off), and potentially disabling the differences between stun and kill modes.

For the record, I'm trying to achieve as accurate a prop replica as possible. I think the toy already looks good enough to pass (although I may hide the screw holes later on), but I'd just like to add the laser to it to make it that bit more authentic.

I'd really appreciate any help, because I've been reading and reading for hours on this subject, and I'm just confusing myself more and more all the time.
Click to expand...

For a low power 'pointer' type laser install, you can use the stock battery voltage to power a 5mW green module.

What that modification, it should be pretty easy to fit in the model you have. The Playmates one has a lot more room though.

I have a green mod shown here: (more powerful module, but you can find a 5mW module which will hopefully be shorter in length as well)
http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/tutorial-star-trek-phaser-mod-green-46761.html

Your main task, will be to mount the module perfectly centered so that the beam can exit perfectly through the nozzle tip. (which will need to be drilled through)
 
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Thanks for the info, although I'm still keen to use the blu-ray laser (even if it DOES mean that it won't be low power - I'm okay with that). I know your green mod tutorial mentions the blu-ray, but not extensively.

Is it possible, as I mentioned, to keep all the features the phaser originally had? I thought that one version had a different colour light depending on if it was set to "stun" or "kill", but I could be wrong. If that is the case, though, I believe I read somewhere that you can change the colour of the blu-ray laser by tapping into other points on the diode which control different colours.

This sounds complex to the point where you might have to use an IC to control the change or something like that, but I'm not exactly an electronics expert (I can rig basic circuits and follow straight-forward guides, of which, for the most part, the phaser mods seem to be straight-forward, but as I said before, I want to make mine as show-accurate as possible, because I'm just that guy).

I'm also not 100% sure about what the EZfocus adapter does (and for the record, I have NO idea what a FlexDrive is).

I'd be most interested in the difference between the two types of phaser, although I can probably find something on Google so I'll have a look, but I'm wondering if the Playmates one is worth tracking down instead, even if it costs more.
 
TCJJ said:
Thanks for the info, although I'm still keen to use the blu-ray laser (even if it DOES mean that it won't be low power - I'm okay with that). I know your green mod tutorial mentions the blu-ray, but not extensively.

Is it possible, as I mentioned, to keep all the features the phaser originally had? I thought that one version had a different colour light depending on if it was set to "stun" or "kill", but I could be wrong. If that is the case, though, I believe I read somewhere that you can change the colour of the blu-ray laser by tapping into other points on the diode which control different colours.

This sounds complex to the point where you might have to use an IC to control the change or something like that, but I'm not exactly an electronics expert (I can rig basic circuits and follow straight-forward guides, of which, for the most part, the phaser mods seem to be straight-forward, but as I said before, I want to make mine as show-accurate as possible, because I'm just that guy).

I'm also not 100% sure about what the EZfocus adapter does (and for the record, I have NO idea what a FlexDrive is).

I'd be most interested in the difference between the two types of phaser, although I can probably find something on Google so I'll have a look, but I'm wondering if the Playmates one is worth tracking down instead, even if it costs more.
Click to expand...

I only do the one phaser... (Playmates)

I have used the one you mentioned for a green mod that I did for a friend that already had that one, but it does not have much room, and I didn't like it as much.

The Phaymates is basic too. No lighting really Just a bulb at the front, and two sound choices.

In my 445 mod, I put a blue LED inside. So that it shines blue out the top vent plate. (did the same with a green LED for my green mod after I did the 445)

I also use a blue LED custom mounted in the sound knob to give an 'armed indicator' light when you turn on the safety switch.

See the 445 build here:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/1-5-amp-445nm-phaser-build-62371.html

 
I'm still trying to decide exactly what I'll do with it. I have the reissue AA/DST version on pre-order, so I'll have it in about a month, but I'm trying to plan ahead. I'd like to add the metal parts, but the only place I've found that offers them only ships to the US, Canada, and one other place (might have been the UK - I don't remember).

My main decision is what to do with the light. I want the nice beam effect (I'm presuming that the laser isn't strong enough to show it unless you catch it on camera, but please correct me if I'm wrong) from the blu-ray laser (and I have a blu-ray laser from my dead PS3, as I said), but I'd also like to have multiple colours.

Ideally, I'd like to hook up a switch to the dial at the back of P2 so that I can use that dial to change colours (it also does Overload if you turn it all the way, but I'd like to set it up so it has the other settings first, before getting to Overload), as well as having the knob on the side be used for safety (since it's only the dilithium chamber cover). I would have to use a tricolour LED (and sure, you can get super-bright ones, but lasers are a lot brighter, and, let's be honest, a lot cooler) though. So unless those other pins on the blu-ray diode can indeed be used to change the colour of the laser (please let me know, because if this IS possible as I have heard, then that will solve my problem), I'd have to go with an LED. I'd also like to be able to use the laser without safety glasses (is that uh.... safe? As long as I don't point it in someone's eyes or into a mirror, or some other stupid scenario, would it be alright?

I'm basically going to work on making it as accurate a prop as possible. With the way the Art Asylum Phaser is designed, it's going to take a bit of extra wiring and such to achieve my desired results (because the power source is all in P1), but I think it'll be worth it. I'd buy a kit from you, but I'm not sure that it'd work on the AA version.
 
TCJJ said:
I'm still trying to decide exactly what I'll do with it. I have the reissue AA/DST version on pre-order, so I'll have it in about a month, but I'm trying to plan ahead. I'd like to add the metal parts, but the only place I've found that offers them only ships to the US, Canada, and one other place (might have been the UK - I don't remember).

My main decision is what to do with the light. I want the nice beam effect (I'm presuming that the laser isn't strong enough to show it unless you catch it on camera, but please correct me if I'm wrong) from the blu-ray laser (and I have a blu-ray laser from my dead PS3, as I said), but I'd also like to have multiple colours.

Ideally, I'd like to hook up a switch to the dial at the back of P2 so that I can use that dial to change colours (it also does Overload if you turn it all the way, but I'd like to set it up so it has the other settings first, before getting to Overload), as well as having the knob on the side be used for safety (since it's only the dilithium chamber cover). I would have to use a tricolour LED (and sure, you can get super-bright ones, but lasers are a lot brighter, and, let's be honest, a lot cooler) though. So unless those other pins on the blu-ray diode can indeed be used to change the colour of the laser (please let me know, because if this IS possible as I have heard, then that will solve my problem), I'd have to go with an LED. I'd also like to be able to use the laser without safety glasses (is that uh.... safe? As long as I don't point it in someone's eyes or into a mirror, or some other stupid scenario, would it be alright?

I'm basically going to work on making it as accurate a prop as possible. With the way the Art Asylum Phaser is designed, it's going to take a bit of extra wiring and such to achieve my desired results (because the power source is all in P1), but I think it'll be worth it. I'd buy a kit from you, but I'm not sure that it'd work on the AA version.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a cool project, but a lot of work...

You may want to experiment with that diode in other builds before you try your phaser idea. Make sure it's what you really want.

Because it is a very weak output compared to what people are putting in laser builds these days.

That said, it can still be over 5mW. Anything over 5mW is still considered hazardous to the eyes. Even the 5mW lasers can still harm your eyes.

Anyway, I mentioned building others first, because your result at best, will only be a dot on the wall. Not really a visible beam unless you have smoke in the air.

Even high power builds need dark for a visible beam.

I realize you said you wanted low power, but just thought I'd mention those couple things...

Here's some good information on that diode: (I think this is the one your are talking about)
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/Blu-ray/site1/
 
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jayrob said:
Sounds like a cool project, but a lot of work...

You may want to experiment with that diode in other builds before you try your phaser idea. Make sure it's what you really want.

Because it is a very weak output compared to what people are putting in laser builds these days.

That said, it can still be over 5mW. Anything over 5mW is still considered hazardous to the eyes. Even the 5mW lasers can still harm your eyes.

Anyway, I mentioned building others first, because your result at best, will only be a dot on the wall. Not really a visible beam unless you have smoke in the air.

Even high power builds need dark for a visible beam.

I realize you said you wanted low power, but just thought I'd mention those couple things...

Here's some good information on that diode: (I think this is the one your are talking about)
Blu-ray Reader Dissection by Leslie Wright and Sam Goldwasser - Main Page
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm going to have a field day with the phaser, but it's definitely going to be hard work. I'll definitely try building the laser without building it into the phaser first, and see what I can achieve. I've got the other laser from my PS3 blu-ray drive which I can play with as well.

Thanks for the link. It should be helpful, although mine only has four points instead of five like everyone else's appears to have. That's possibly the most confusing part.

I don't mind if I can only see a dot on the wall. As long as it isn't hazardous to look at it (from behind - obviously shining it into your eyes is a no-no no matter how strong or weak it is), and preferably if I could pick up the beam on camera, then that's all I need.
 
TCJJ said:
Yeah, I'm going to have a field day with the phaser, but it's definitely going to be hard work. I'll definitely try building the laser without building it into the phaser first, and see what I can achieve. I've got the other laser from my PS3 blu-ray drive which I can play with as well.

Thanks for the link. It should be helpful, although mine only has four points instead of five like everyone else's appears to have. That's possibly the most confusing part.

I don't mind if I can only see a dot on the wall. As long as it isn't hazardous to look at it (from behind - obviously shining it into your eyes is a no-no no matter how strong or weak it is), and preferably if I could pick up the beam on camera, then that's all I need.
Click to expand...

You might be using the IR/red diode?? This one:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/phr-803t-red-ir-diode-pinout-currents-36212.html
 
jayrob said:
You might be using the IR/red diode?? This one:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f50/phr-803t-red-ir-diode-pinout-currents-36212.html
Click to expand...

Yeah, that appears to be it. The other diode I have, which I assume is the blu-ray one in that case, only has three legs on it. I guess I'm not exactly having much luck with this thing. I was hoping to be able to get a blu-ray diode working and also in different colours (the colours I want are green, red, blue, and if possible, yellow, but obviously, I can't expect TOO much from a blu-ray diode that obviously isn't designed like a multi-coloured LED, or at least, not for that sort usage).
 
scott999 said:
Hi, I wanted to make a wood and plastic version of this with only the laser and its required attachments. Do I still need the Flexdrive and if so can you please show me how to wire it?
Click to expand...

I will tell you that the driver is very small and requires precise soldering...

Also, configuring and testing a driver is the most difficult part of learning to build. (which is why I offer a 'Hot' option with most of my kits - driver included, configured, and installed)

But for DIY, you should start by reading this if he didn't change his write up on test loads/drivers: (shows a different driver, but same principles)
Rog8811.com
 
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I am so excited to build one of these!! I just bought a new station and would love to know if you have a parts list and if I could buy some of the parts from you so I can assemble and mod everything myself. Look forward to hearing from you, thanks -Chaz
 
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