Send Music over a Laser Beam

Step 2 Hack the Laser

First the laser pointer needs to be modified. Remove all bateries and total up the voltage of the batteries to find the voltage required by the laser. For instance, mine takes two AAA batteries, so that is 2 x 1.5 or 3 volts. Now solder wires on to the positive and negative terminals inside the laser. This might require cutting open the case a bit (a dremmel is sometimes nessisary).

Next, figure out how to hold down the button on the pointer that makes it light. A shaved-down pencil eraser and a ruberband works for me.

Now test the modified laser by connecting batteries of appropriate voltage to the newly attached wires. If it does't work, try connecting them in the opposite direction. Laser pointers use laser diodes which only take current in one direction.

This mod will allow us to control the brightness of the laser by varying the voltage and current supplied to it.

In the photo below you can see my pointer, with two D-cell batteries attached.