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Uh, VR1 is an internal trim-pot to set the gain once (should be set according to Knimrod's nice calculations above), and VR2 (with the knob) is to adjust to 0.0 before a measurement to compensate for stray temperature fluctuations.

And then there's the pushbutton switch problem with some of those. When mine dims like that, if I press harder it brightens right up, although I hate to risk damaging the switch or other components. If I could get it apart without tearing it up I'd replace the switch and solder a wire from that...

If I could plot milliwats vs. current, or possibly vs. voltage, that'd be the most useful to me. But of course that'd need a voltage input from the laser supply, so it wouldn't be any use to someone with a sealed unit. Is wattage vs. time a useful plot, compared to just reading the number off...

Since the bluray diode has violet, red, and IR in one case it's not hard to make it switchable.  I did that, just need different regulators or resistors for each. I'm sure you have to refocus this one when you switch colors.

BTW, if anybody has trouble getting the LTC1050 off the board, or would rather order one, I found an alternative to Digi-key. At DigiKey it looks like $4-5 for the part, $5 handling, and $7.15 shipping. At this place it's $4.40 for the part, no handling charge and $4.00 shipping...

Hmm. Need good eyes, a stylus, and no motion while you're using it. Looks like a Windows Mobile OS. The iPhone seems like it was designed for fingers, and using it on the move. (Don't get me wrong, I use a Pocket PC, and I don't have an iPhone, but I do admire its GUI.)

Re: How bright should a Blue Ray look next to 5mW I started on a solar cell meter project. Within the visible spectrum, the voltage produced by most silicon cells varies fairly linearly with the wavelength (longer wavelengths produce more voltage). So you'd see less voltage from a BluRay than...

I saw that one - but some of the other ones have a fixed range. It'd be a shame if somebody ends up with 10mw precision. Just tossing that out there for people to be aware of.

Why are people ordering 20 or 200V panel meters rather than 2V, which would measure up to 2 Watts of laser output? I'd want to keep as much precision as possible, and I doubt that some of these are auto-ranging.

;D Initial tests look positive! I'm seeing reactions from the lasers I have on hand, in the general ballpark of what I'd expect now. Cool. Now to button it all back up and put it in a case. (Just going for external meter output for now.) I'll be interested to see if people are getting the BluRay...

And another...

In case anybody's curious, here's what the inside of the sensor looks like. I figured I have nothing to lose by opening it. There are 30 thermocouple pairs on the back side of the ceramic disc (the other side has the grey circle you normally see). Measuring the resistance across each pair, most...

>:( Grr - Looks like my sensor head is dead. Built the circuit - no output change when I point various lasers at it. Made a 120uV voltage divider and hooked it in place of the sensor, and I see the 120mV output. Oh well. I guess they did say "as is". (I noticed the fuse was blown on the board -...

Hey Knimrod... There are two R4s in the parts list.  R3 and R4 are listed as 47K, then there's another R4 listed as 10K that I don't see on the schematic.  Should we scratch that line in the parts list? -- thx.

Re: INTEREST GAUGE for PHAZOR Diodes -- 200mW CW!! I think benm meant sending a "Phazor" diode to DrLava.

My sensor just arrived! In case anybody is expecting one in the mail, here's how long this one took: Ordered on 1/12. Got notice of shipment on 1/23. Arrived on 1/26. Now to get started on it...

Depending what wattage and duty-cycle you're going for yes, it could melt enough to deform, although actually sagging onto the laser window seems a bit much. I've never gotten mine to pop off as some have said, but I've had good luck CAREFULLY enlarging the hole with an xacto knife. I scratched...

Just looked up the laws for here in Texas (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/radiation/pdffiles/301fn_04.pdf  [part 301]) - Yeesh  :o Next thing you know they'll probably outlaw magnifying glasses because you can burn things with them.  Or mirrors because you could distract a driver with the...

Re: INTEREST GAUGE for PHAZOR Diodes -- 200mW CW!! I'm interested too but I was waiting for that new thread that Daedal mentioned...

Not to keep digressing from the starting topic, but this is fun... So if I stepped onto the space elevator in my back-yard (I live next door to The Physics Shop where all the frictionless devices come from :) ), and rode it to the 22,600 Mile point (geosynchronous orbit), donned my space-suit...