- Joined
- Sep 1, 2002
- Messages
- 1,245
I recently came across this:
"SUPERCHARGING A CHEAP RED LASER POINTER:.
Normally, you do get what you pay for. Those $1 pointers can vary wildly in both power output and beam quality, but I've found a few that can be boosted way beyond the intended power output. Samples which measured around 4mW (the brightest samples you're likely to find in any given purchase of several or more) were boosted to nearly 7mW by the addition of an extra battery. NOTE: This procedure is NOT recommended for two primary reasons: (1) The diode can instantly POP, leaving you with something to feed the hungry, hungry garbage can. And (2), if you boost the output above 5mW, the laser pointer is no longer a Class IIIA device, as defined by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the CDRH (Center for Disease and Radiological Health); the two govenment agencies that determine what is and what is not safe for use by the general public. You can then get into some really hot water if you take the souped-up pointer into any public space and start blasting people and objects with it, or you can be held liable if someone suffers eye damage from exposure to your newly-created Class IIIB pointer!
WARNING! Neither myself, nor anybody associated with any outside links to this page are liable if you screw things up while performing this hack and end up setting a chair on fire, shooting down your cat, blinding yourself, vaporizing a toilet, setting off your hidden cache of illegal fireworks, or injuring someone as a result!
Nor are we to be held responsible for any property damage, traffic accidents, weapons fire, or other damages resulting from your use or misuse of this information.
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE! Observe all normal laser precautions for a CDRH Class IIIB instrument.
Laser safety goggles for the visible diode range (600-800nm) are recommended.
To perform this hack, unscrew the battery lid off your $1 or $2 "bullet" pointer and dump out the batteries. If it uses three LR-44 button cells, put them back in and see if you can cram a fourth battery in - with some of the models that have a slightly elongated case, you can do this and still screw the end cap back on - otherwise you will need to tape the batteries in.
The picture to the left is of one common and dirt cheap model you should look for - all variations of this model tested work well with the hack.
The back of the box says it uses a SONY laser diode, and the German version of the laser warning on the back state the diode is a 650nm model (the American label uses the range "630-680nm" instead of a specific wavelength).
It has been reported by somebody trying this hack that the second cell from the bottom tends to short against the metal case, so wrapping the outer edge of the cell with a thin insulating material (cigarette rolling paper should do) or inserting a piece of this tissue rolled to fit the inner edges of the pointer's case will eliminate the short circuit.
As stated earlier, this hack will either boost your laser to dangerous power levels or destroy it altogether - so have spare pointers on hand and be especially observant of where you direct the beam. If you blow out two of them consecutively, then the hack will not work with that particular brand and type of pointer and you should hop onto ebay and try another kind. Like I said, those bullet-style pointers selling for $1.00 and $1.25 on ebay seem to work successfully with the additional power. And never try to substitute the LR-44 button cells with any other kind of power source, for you are almost certain to burn the laser diode out if you do."
I just want to know the dangers involved in performing this "hack." Thought it'd be kind of interesting to do this but am afraid that it might blow up in my hands.
Thank you for any input.
-DC2
"SUPERCHARGING A CHEAP RED LASER POINTER:.
Normally, you do get what you pay for. Those $1 pointers can vary wildly in both power output and beam quality, but I've found a few that can be boosted way beyond the intended power output. Samples which measured around 4mW (the brightest samples you're likely to find in any given purchase of several or more) were boosted to nearly 7mW by the addition of an extra battery. NOTE: This procedure is NOT recommended for two primary reasons: (1) The diode can instantly POP, leaving you with something to feed the hungry, hungry garbage can. And (2), if you boost the output above 5mW, the laser pointer is no longer a Class IIIA device, as defined by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the CDRH (Center for Disease and Radiological Health); the two govenment agencies that determine what is and what is not safe for use by the general public. You can then get into some really hot water if you take the souped-up pointer into any public space and start blasting people and objects with it, or you can be held liable if someone suffers eye damage from exposure to your newly-created Class IIIB pointer!
WARNING! Neither myself, nor anybody associated with any outside links to this page are liable if you screw things up while performing this hack and end up setting a chair on fire, shooting down your cat, blinding yourself, vaporizing a toilet, setting off your hidden cache of illegal fireworks, or injuring someone as a result!
Nor are we to be held responsible for any property damage, traffic accidents, weapons fire, or other damages resulting from your use or misuse of this information.
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE! Observe all normal laser precautions for a CDRH Class IIIB instrument.
Laser safety goggles for the visible diode range (600-800nm) are recommended.
To perform this hack, unscrew the battery lid off your $1 or $2 "bullet" pointer and dump out the batteries. If it uses three LR-44 button cells, put them back in and see if you can cram a fourth battery in - with some of the models that have a slightly elongated case, you can do this and still screw the end cap back on - otherwise you will need to tape the batteries in.
The picture to the left is of one common and dirt cheap model you should look for - all variations of this model tested work well with the hack.
The back of the box says it uses a SONY laser diode, and the German version of the laser warning on the back state the diode is a 650nm model (the American label uses the range "630-680nm" instead of a specific wavelength).
It has been reported by somebody trying this hack that the second cell from the bottom tends to short against the metal case, so wrapping the outer edge of the cell with a thin insulating material (cigarette rolling paper should do) or inserting a piece of this tissue rolled to fit the inner edges of the pointer's case will eliminate the short circuit.
As stated earlier, this hack will either boost your laser to dangerous power levels or destroy it altogether - so have spare pointers on hand and be especially observant of where you direct the beam. If you blow out two of them consecutively, then the hack will not work with that particular brand and type of pointer and you should hop onto ebay and try another kind. Like I said, those bullet-style pointers selling for $1.00 and $1.25 on ebay seem to work successfully with the additional power. And never try to substitute the LR-44 button cells with any other kind of power source, for you are almost certain to burn the laser diode out if you do."
I just want to know the dangers involved in performing this "hack." Thought it'd be kind of interesting to do this but am afraid that it might blow up in my hands.
Thank you for any input. -DC2