PlagueHuntR
- Aug 11, 2011
- 5
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2011
- Messages
- 5
Hey hey all! Plague here
Since I last posted Ive done a few projects, and recently a friend suggested I try make a nice simple laser diode driver in the form of a LM317 regulator circuit. Having looked for a nice cheap laser diode over the internet I came across a nice looking $5, 300mw 808nw diode.
Heres a link to datasheet: http://www.markettechinc.net/Libraries/MTI_PDFs/U-LD-80C046D.sflb.ashx
It being so cheap I decided to get one and put together the circuit.
Attached I have the circuit layout.
I put it together the LM317 regulator circuit with easily, it being, thankfully, quite simple. I have added the details for the resistors, Vin, Vout and where I have connected the positive and negative to the circuit layout. The operating voltage for the Diode is 2.2v.
Now with the help of my trusty multimeter I have determined that the circuit does appear to be working with an output of 2.36v. Now as a quick side question the LM317 should be outputing 2.198v so anyone have any idea why it is 2.36 instead? I am assuming (possibly my fatal noobish mistake) that this is just because of the age of my multimeter.
I have attatched a pinout for my diode which agrees with the infomation on the datasheet at the beggining of the post. That is how I have connected my diode to the circuit.
Now to my problem. The laser is not working. As in there is nothing happening at all. Its not getting hot, when I first connected it it didnt make a sound, and there isnt the slightest hint of light.
I thought it might be a faulty diode at first so I got another diode from another seller, but it too is showing no signs of life.
My theory is it might be fluctuations in the voltage when I turn the power on and off that are burning the diodes out?
Another posibility is it is the frequency of the light, and I simple can't see it when it isnt focused? I believe 808nm is visible to the human eye but not very clearly. However at 300mw I would think I would at least be able to tell whether it is working or not. idk perhaps I am mistaken.
Anyway I would be very grateful to anyone who could point out any problems and if none are clear I would love to hear any suggestions you guys can offer as to how I can identify the problem.
Thanks all!
Plague
Since I last posted Ive done a few projects, and recently a friend suggested I try make a nice simple laser diode driver in the form of a LM317 regulator circuit. Having looked for a nice cheap laser diode over the internet I came across a nice looking $5, 300mw 808nw diode.
Heres a link to datasheet: http://www.markettechinc.net/Libraries/MTI_PDFs/U-LD-80C046D.sflb.ashx
It being so cheap I decided to get one and put together the circuit.
Attached I have the circuit layout.
I put it together the LM317 regulator circuit with easily, it being, thankfully, quite simple. I have added the details for the resistors, Vin, Vout and where I have connected the positive and negative to the circuit layout. The operating voltage for the Diode is 2.2v.
Now with the help of my trusty multimeter I have determined that the circuit does appear to be working with an output of 2.36v. Now as a quick side question the LM317 should be outputing 2.198v so anyone have any idea why it is 2.36 instead? I am assuming (possibly my fatal noobish mistake) that this is just because of the age of my multimeter.
I have attatched a pinout for my diode which agrees with the infomation on the datasheet at the beggining of the post. That is how I have connected my diode to the circuit.
Now to my problem. The laser is not working. As in there is nothing happening at all. Its not getting hot, when I first connected it it didnt make a sound, and there isnt the slightest hint of light.
I thought it might be a faulty diode at first so I got another diode from another seller, but it too is showing no signs of life.
My theory is it might be fluctuations in the voltage when I turn the power on and off that are burning the diodes out?
Another posibility is it is the frequency of the light, and I simple can't see it when it isnt focused? I believe 808nm is visible to the human eye but not very clearly. However at 300mw I would think I would at least be able to tell whether it is working or not. idk perhaps I am mistaken.
Anyway I would be very grateful to anyone who could point out any problems and if none are clear I would love to hear any suggestions you guys can offer as to how I can identify the problem.
Thanks all!
Plague