Hello!

I am a electronics hobbyist and I am trying to figure out how to create a circuit that will power 10 blue/violet laser diodes(with drivers)

Here's a link: Industrial Blue Violet Focusable Laser Dot Module 405nm 20mW 12x45mm 3V 5V (Silver) with Clamshell Packaging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014WZV9DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D-LTyb1BA3BHE

Please point me in the right direction for this.

I imagine we would add up all the voltage the diodes need (3.7 x 10 = 44.4)

Would this mean I need a 45V power supply? And then divert voltage from this to the diodes?

Pleas help

 

What are you trying to do with these 10 laser diodes powering in the same time?
The power does not like you thought, it can be in parallel with the 10 laser diodes to the power, you just provide the enough current for those laser diodes needed.

 

Do you know how much current each laser needs?

Be sure to order the red laser glasses. US$9.00 is very cheap protection for one (or two) of your most valuable organs.

Be aware that this is a Class 3B laser, meaning that any direct exposure to the beam or its reflection can damage the retina faster than you can blink. At 405nm wavelength, it appears to be very dim to the human eye (remember, it's very close to UV), despite having a considerably high power. Make sure to always use safety goggles that block 405nm light. Any use of this module should be in an enclosed space with no risk of the beam escaping and no direct view of the target, even if the target is a matte surface, except to those wearing appropriate safety goggles.​

 

Hello,

Better read this first before you start playing around with those lasers.
You only recieved one set of eyeballs:
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersaf.htm

@DickCappels , the red glasses do not give any specification.
The IPL glasses do have a some specifications given:
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Glass...rd_wg=pYqMB&psc=1&refRID=6RKY5VN38XV8VZ3XK07R

Bertus

 

The module draws 120 mA at 5.0 V. Since you are powering 10 modules, you will need a supply of 5V 1.2A at a minimum, if the modules are powered in parallel.

The STM Electronics (chosen at random) L78505 linear regulator can supply up to 2A. It might work, depending on what input power is supplied. Search for "5V 2A linear regulator" for other options.

 

I would leave a buffer for power. Long as you are looking on Amazon you may want to consider this 5 Volt 3.0 Amp Wall Wart supply. Actually a 2 Amp would be adequate but this 3 Amp popped up.

Ron

 

What are you trying to do with these 10 laser diodes powering in the same time?
The power does not like you thought, it can be in parallel with the 10 laser diodes to the power, you just provide the enough current for those laser diodes needed.

Yes youre right! you see its been a while and my thinking about electronics aren't all there

I am working on a stage show effect, I have light bars that stand up straight and on those I was going to attach the lasers (but of course not point them at the crowd or ANY reflective material)

So you see why I want to be able to SEE the bean without too much particulate/smoke in the air =]

 

Since I know the dangers of these lasers, can you guys suggest a something that will shoot a visible beam that is a little "safer"

Much like this?

http://www.pssl.com/Lasers-for-DJs-and-Clubs/X-Laser-Aurora-Cobalt-Quad-Blue-1200mW-Laser

 

Do you know how much current each laser needs?

Be sure to order the red laser glasses. US$9.00 is very cheap protection for one (or two) of your most valuable organs.

Be aware that this is a Class 3B laser, meaning that any direct exposure to the beam or its reflection can damage the retina faster than you can blink. At 405nm wavelength, it appears to be very dim to the human eye (remember, it's very close to UV), despite having a considerably high power. Make sure to always use safety goggles that block 405nm light. Any use of this module should be in an enclosed space with no risk of the beam escaping and no direct view of the target, even if the target is a matte surface, except to those wearing appropriate safety goggles.​

You are 100% correct and I surely know the dangers, I will be extra careful!

 

Hello,

Better read this first before you start playing around with those lasers.
You only recieved one set of eyeballs:
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersaf.htm

@DickCappels , the red glasses do not give any specification.
The IPL glasses do have a some specifications given:
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-Glass...rd_wg=pYqMB&psc=1&refRID=6RKY5VN38XV8VZ3XK07R

Bertus

You are 100% correct as well,, I am trying to create a stage show effect, do you know of a safer solution? Maybe red laser and smokes instead?

 

There isn't a laser that I'm aware of that produces a "visible" beam of light. You're going to need smoke machines. The term "visible" in the description refers to the fact when pointed toward a target, it can be seen.

Can you provide a little more information on the effect? Is there a preferred thickness of the beams? Will they be moving? To where will they extend?

 

Much like these, and these will be visible with a low amount of smoke or close to none.

http://www.pssl.com/Lasers-for-DJs-and-Clubs/X-Laser-Aurora-Cobalt-Quad-Blue-1200mW-Laser

I want to create my own effect, for now they wont move and they wont have to be any thicker than what the laser didoes I purchased can produce

 

I have done this before on stage with lasers (although I used commercial units) and Lekos. There are a couple of points.

1) You'd be surprised at the amount of smoke or theatrical fog needed to make the beam visible. The volume enclosing the beams and the stage is a large unenclosed space. The fog must disperse throughout. This takes time. Thus, it must be started before the effect. Usually if desired, a small volume of fog is created over a longer period of time so that the fog itself does not become distracting. And the volume of fog emitted must be sufficient to permeate the volume and not dissipate before the end of the effect. Multiple fog/smoke machines are needed.

2) The picture of the commercial unit you have provided as an example has a laser 240 times the power than the one you are considering. This may affect the success of your effect.

 

I once worked on the safety subsystem for a laser projector. There were safety requirements (in the United States) that went well beyond what common sense would have told me.

Somethings you should known about regardless of where in the world you intend to use or sell this.

Code of Federal Regulations:
Sec. 1040.10 Laser products

FDA Requirements:
laser compliance guide [doc] - FDA

You might have some difficulty using Class 3B lasers in a public performance safely.

 

Hello,

Here is an other reminder about the laser classes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_safety

Bertus

 

I once worked on the safety subsystem for a laser projector. There were safety requirements (in the United States) that went well beyond what common sense would have told me.

Somethings you should known about regardless of where in the world you intend to use or sell this.

Code of Federal Regulations:
Sec. 1040.10 Laser products

FDA Requirements:
laser compliance guide [doc] - FDA

You might have some difficulty using Class 3B lasers in a public performance safely.

You are correct, and i'm STILL learning. I'm happy you mentioned this in detail and I was aware of the dangers.. however.. The DJ type laser boxes are used in shows all the time.. could you perhaps point me in the right direction for THOSE diodes? I Don't want to spend $1000 on a big box that will only do one thing, I would like to create my own effect - I also don't want to damage anyones eyesight

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUNY-DMX-To...877b01&pid=100677&rk=2&rkt=16&sd=181175040634

So tell me, what makes these perfectly fine to use everywhere, but these devices which use 800mW each diode is considered ok?

 

I have done this before on stage with lasers (although I used commercial units) and Lekos. There are a couple of points.

1) You'd be surprised at the amount of smoke or theatrical fog needed to make the beam visible. The volume enclosing the beams and the stage is a large unenclosed space. The fog must disperse throughout. This takes time. Thus, it must be started before the effect. Usually if desired, a small volume of fog is created over a longer period of time so that the fog itself does not become distracting. And the volume of fog emitted must be sufficient to permeate the volume and not dissipate before the end of the effect. Multiple fog/smoke machines are needed.

2) The picture of the commercial unit you have provided as an example has a laser 240 times the power than the one you are considering. This may affect the success of your effect.

This is very helpful, thank you so much!

 

In general, lower power and longer wavelength are what you need. Specifically, find out from the regulations what classes of laser are permitted for your use then shop for lasers in those classes. It was nice of them to come up with this system so the buyer doesn't have to perform complicated calculations for each laser.