Why flashing Laser Died?
I have a laser pointer from the dollar store which I have hacked to fit a usb cord. 3 button batteries came with the laser, so, I figure 4.5v is right. Then I was hacking a magnetic door alarm (siren when the magnet is away from it) Again- 3 batteries, so 4.5 v plus or minus x. The alarm hack is to provide pulsing DC when the magnet is spun in a drill past the reed switch in the alarm.
So, I plugged the laser into the pulsing DC, and it worked for a while, then crapped out.
Why did it die?
slightly different v from different chemistry in the batteries?
or from flashing?
Discussions
1 year ago
Laser diodes are "just like" LEDs, only much, much easier to kill with voltage spikes, and overcurrents. Inductive spikes from even the circuit you describe probably did for it.
Answer 1 year ago
+1
1 year ago
You might want to try the next one with a capacitor to smooth out the power. The rapid on/off for flashing probably did it in just like you can burn out a lightbulb by playing around with the switch too often.
Answer 1 year ago
I was using the laser to test the chopped DC for choppyness. So, heheh... Protecting the laser with a cap isn't a priority.
Answer 1 year ago
https://www.instructables.com/file/FINVY6UJE94FWFB...
Answer 1 year ago
Are you implying that laser is still flashing, but I cant tell cause it blinded me?
1 year ago
It was from the dollar store. It was made to self destruct.
1 year ago
Maybe the reed switch wore out. It is a mechanical thing, and it being in the presence of rapidly changing magnetic field maybe jerked it around too much.
Answer 1 year ago
except the laser no longer worked with a 4.5 v battery
1 year ago
I can not find that Following :-((
1 year ago
A dollar Chinese laser has an push ON button that I have used so many many times until the battery went dead.. Though I've had units that went dead on the first press..
What I mean is, that is a dollar laser, go buy a few more before you assume the pulsing did it in..
The laser is very carefully current controlled be a resistor (poor design) which suggests that using other batteries with a different internal impedance the laser may get damaged..