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I have successfully built my first DIY laser! Blew the first diode (a little 8x). Second diode is an 18x open-can and it is so far working great at 220mA. Probably could go higher on the current but I want this one to last at least until I can get another diode or two. ;D I have a question for...

Alright, I am having a bit of trouble with my driver and test load. Probably just my lack of understanding but here goes. I was powering my circuit with 4 AA alkaline batteries which I discovered is a bad idea by reading this thread. That being the case I am now using 6 1.2V NiMH AAs. Problem...

Okay, I got my battery box all set up. I am running 6 1.2V NiMH AA batteries. I connected my test load circuit to my DDL driver and set the current to 200mA. At that current I am reading 3.3V. Is that voltage too high? I really don't want to blow my diode. The interesting thing is that when I...

Hey, thanks a bunch for the link. That helps alot! Now I just need to get a new battery box to power my laser. I was using a 4-AA box with alkaline batteries, then I read that they drop off quickly and can actually cause a spike that kills the diode. Is this right? Now I am afraid to use the...

Cool! Thanks! I might try going up gradually just to see the difference from 150mA to 200mA then maybe 250mA. Now I need to look for a conversion formula/chart to see how many mW it is puting out. ;D

Hmmm, don't know if this info is usefull or not Ryo but I measured the breakdown on my new 18x open-can LD. It measured 1.25V or thereabouts. Interesting thing is the LED in the LD didn't even light up on the open-can like it did on my old diode while testing it. The new one must require a bit...

Okay, sorry for the premature post.  ::) I figured it out. Newb as I am I had all 4 diodes backwards in my test load circuit. [smiley=embarassed.gif] It is now working correctly and my driver is working great. Only one question remains. How many mA should I drive my 18x open can LD at? I...

Well, I built the test load circuit for the DDL driver using 4 IN4001 diodes and a 1 ohm resistor. When I test the voltage with my DMM I am getting about 5.6 volts. When I try to measure the mV across the resistor I don't get a reading at all. Any ideas what I am doing wrong? I have rechecked...

Got it! Thanks!

Great! Thanks for the help. Case positive, hmmm. After looking at the way my module is wired that would mean the black wire is actually positive not negative. Any reason I couldn't connect the module to my DDL driver and power it that way?

I just got my Sure Module today and would like to play with it as is before I use it for my burner diode. Can someone please tell me what the correct input voltage and current are for the sure module? I have searched and was not able to find any info on it. Thanks

I finally got my DMM going. Looks like the breakdown voltage on my blown diode is 1.525 volts. Dont know if it matters or not but the diode was still connected to my circuit when I took the reading.

Woohoo!!! A friend just happened to have a DVD Burner that stopped working which he gave me. Hopefully not a problem with the diode. 8-) Anyway, it is a LiteOn LH-18A1P 18x Burner. If the diode is infact good how much current should I provide an 18x diode? I don't want to push it too hard...

Sorry for the delayed response. The 9V battery in my DMM died and I haven't made it to the store to get a new one. I will post the breakdown voltage as soon as it get a new battery.

Ryo, I would be happy to post that info if you could tell me how to get that measurement. My DMM does have a diode test feature. Thanks, moond0ggie. I will give that a shot. Can I just use my blown LD as the test load for measuring that or should I build the test load circuit for the DDL driver?

Well, I finally corrected my circuit. I have no idea how I managed to get it soooo messed up but it was not even close to being right. Guess that's what I get for attempting it while running low on sleep! That being the case I just desoldered everything and did it over from scratch. I used the...

So if I read you correct pullbangdead then I can use my once LD now LED as a test device. I assume that means that even though the Diode is no longer a laser it will still draw current about the same as a good LD? If that is the case I suppose it is not a complete loss. Any more info anyone...

Thanks for the info. I did find the problem I think. When I assembled my circuit I misswired my pot and in a way that bypassed it so that the driver was operating at max output. Unfortunately I didn't notice it untill after I blew my LD. Definitely a learning experience. I will definitely be...

It did. Now it gives of a dim red glow, definitely not visible at any distance. Is there a way to test the LD? Sounds like I may have killed it. :-[