Need "Always On" Green Laser

[lifeson99]

Actually I have a great 50 mW Wicked Laser pen model, but the directions say it has a 100/10 duty cycle (100 secs max ON, then 10 secs min OFF for cooling).

I need one that can be turned ON and left on all day, or for 3 weeks if need be. I do see that Wicked and Dragon Laser sell versions that can be left on, but they are very expensive.

Anything for several hundred dollars that I can leave ON ?
Also I need an ON/OFF button that can be clicked into the ON position and left in that position. With my Pen Laser, I have to keep pressure on the button and as soon as I release . . . . the Laser goes OFF.

Here is my concept - it is for a computer Case Mod idea. This pic is just conceptual right now, of course:

I plan on mounting a bunch of small circle mirrors to create the effect. I really don't have to leave it ON all the time, but I just don't want to worry about how long I do leave it on - that's all. I don't want a "duty cycle".

I would also like to try this in my Office at home . . . mount about 20 to 30 mirrors so the Beam bounces all over the place . . . creating a "Matrix" like effect in the room.

ls
www.CaseModVideos.com

 

[Boston_George]

I build green DPSS systems from 5mW-300mW, I could set you up with whatever you need. I do custom red and 5-100mW 405nm violet blue. I also make different type mirrored devices with the propper first surface mirrors. Let me know if your interested and I can send you some pics.

 

[paulr]

That casemod would look cool but it would be very unsafe because of the possibility of accidental eye exposure. It's not worth it.

 

[Boston_George]

That casemod would look cool but it would be very unsafe because of the possibility of accidental eye exposure. It's not worth it.

Hence the safety switch on the door

 

[paulr]

Hence the safety switch on the door

I'm unpersuaded. The case might get knocked over at a LAN party and a mirror jiggled out of alignment, someone mgiht have an accident while working on it, etc. Really, this is not that many steps short of keeping a vat of cyanide in your living room. No matter how well protected it is, it's ill-advised.

 

[Boston_George]

I'm unpersuaded. The case might get knocked over at a LAN party and a mirror jiggled out of alignment, someone mgiht have an accident while working on it, etc. Really, this is not that many steps short of keeping a vat of cyanide in your living room. No matter how well protected it is, it's ill-advised.

I was thinking of modding my pc to not only include one of my 1watt systems, but a nice hotplate to keep the vat of Prussian Blue toasty warm:devil:.
If you knock over your microwave does it cook your hand? I guess thats possible, I think its time to get rid of the microwave... When you build something right errors like that of which you speak are not an issue. The same 25cent switch that shuts off a floor heater when kicked over may be employed. The same 25 cent switch that cuts power to the magnatron in a microwave when the door is open may also be employed. Common sense, which is free, may also be employed. I tend not to worry so much, as I do not make such stupid mistakes. Servicing the unit would require pannels to be removed, as I said a switch on the door. When I work on a pc, I tend to err on the side of caution, and unplug it. Just in case there is something loose floating around, no power, no laser. I think Lifeson99 has an excellent idea, if its done properly he will have one original looking pc.

 

[paulr]

The microwave's metal walls keep the microwaves from escaping when the door is closed, even if the oven gets knocked around. The casemod would work the same way, if it were opaque to keep the laser light from getting out. But that would defeat the purpose which is to show those visible beams. Problem is that if the pc is knocked around, one of those mirrors moving a little bit can make the beam shoot out through the glass and destroy someone's retina faster than they can blink. If you are really doing those mods as a business, I just hope your liability insurance is paid up.

 

[Boston_George]

If he is not using hot glue to affix the mirrors, I really dont see a problem. If all is bracketed properly and professionally built, and all measures put in place, id say its a item to be had

 

[picrthis]

That casemod would look cool but it would be very unsafe because of the possibility of accidental eye exposure. It's not worth it.

Not worth it to who? I think it could be a cool project; if it's not worth it to you, then you shouldn't build, However I think the OP thinks it is, so he should go for it. :candle:

 

[Probedude]

So is this PC only going to be used at night?

 

[lifeson99]

I have been accidently exposed to my own laser a couple of times when I was shining it between 2 mirrors that were not mounted - and once when an idiot friend thought it was "funny" to flash me. Nothing happened. I saw a bright as hell flash of light and looked away. Not discounting the danger of Lasers, just reporting what happened to me personally. I have actually never heard of anyone blinded permanently by a laser - I amn sure it has happened with the more powerful models. But I assume that the eye protects itself by immediately blinking and your head also immediately turns by instinct. So I do not see how someone could get any type of a prolonged exposure. But I am not an expert - that's for sure.

As far as the Case Mod I planned on the final mirror pointing the last journey of the beam directly down towards the bottom of the case.

ls

 

[Probedude]

But I assume that the eye protects itself by immediately blinking and your head also immediately turns by instinct. So I do not see how someone could get any type of a prolonged exposure. But I am not an expert - that's for sure.

That's wrong at high powers. A person's reflex is not fast enough to prevent damage.

Wow, this one is interesting. Someone actually tried to see how much damage could be done - using a real patient! (the eye was going to be removed anyways) 5mW only though but for 60 seconds.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-rst/2800.html

I don't know what the exposure time would be for a 200mW laser but I don't think it would be linear.

I have actually never heard of anyone blinded permanently by a laser

I've seen photos of the retina with dead spots on it. Literally there were spots where light could not be detected. Going blind? - probably not. Having bling spots? - sure!

 

[Boston_George]

15 mW can do its damage faster than you can blink. a lot of the danger revolves around lighting conditions (pupil dialation etc), and at what angle. There is much less tolerence to these factors when dealing with the higher powers, and less room for forgiveness. I wear my goggles most of the time with anything over 300mW or over 75mW close quarter. Common sense and responsibility are major factors, if its beyond your capabilities its one thing, but when you know what you are doing its another.

 

[paulr]

Not worth it to who? I think it could be a cool project; if it's not worth it to you, then you shouldn't build, However I think the OP thinks it is, so he should go for it. :candle:

I don't think it's up to either me or the OP to say what someone else's eyesight is worth. Say the OP builds this cool looking casemod, has a LAN party and invites his friends over. And one of the friends brings their 3-year-old who notices the pretty lights, ends up knocking the case down and getting blinded. I don't think the 3yo or his/her parent is going to appreciate hearing "well, it was worth it".

 

[greenlight]

Is there a mini-fog machine that you can get to high light your laser?

 

[Kiessling]

Common sense, which is free, may also be employed. I tend not to worry so much, as I do not make such stupid mistakes.

I see you do not seem to appreciate things that come free.

But I assume that the eye protects itself by immediately blinking and your head also immediately turns by instinct. So I do not see how someone could get any type of a prolonged exposure. But I am not an expert - that's for sure.

You are certainly not an expert it seems. And assuming does not help to become one.

What I do not understand is why a lot of good advice about potentially dangerous instruments is ignored and replaced with a package of self-confidence and bundled assumptions. Especially if others might suffer from anything going wrong with this project.

bernhard

 

[Boston_George]

I see you do not seem to appreciate things that come free.


You are certainly not an expert it seems. And assuming does not help to become one.

What I do not understand is why a lot of good advice about potentially dangerous instruments is ignored and replaced with a package of self-confidence and bundled assumptions. Especially if others might suffer from anything going wrong with this project.

bernhard

There are many things in life that are free; one of them is self expression. I build, develop, and sell high power laser modules to put bread on my family's table. I do not take risks with my builds, I machine and fab all of my parts and have the utmost respect for the nature of the hazards involved.
There are a couple of routes to go with this one, A-Buzz Killington's worried grandma's approach, or a responsible well thought out build.
I am confused as to the purpose of this forum, is it to greet ideas with end of the world scenarios?, or lend a hand and ensure that it is done safely? I am very concerned with the amount of discouragement piled into this thread. We are supposed to be helping out one another, so such incidents never transpire.

Lifeson99, I will send you a PM with some links to a supportive forum where you can find thought out instruction from persons well versed in this subject.


Regards,

Boston_George.

 

[Boston_George]

 

[Kiessling]

Boston_George, feel free to post your links here in the open so that more members might profit from your insight.

 

[Probedude]

Here's another thing you can do - a bit hokey but if done well it will work.

- use fluorescent colored string and string it around inside your case in straight lines.
- use a cold cathode fluorescent black light inside your tower - down low or mask it off from the side so you can't see it.

The black lighting will cause your fluorescent string to glow - you'll actually be able to see it in the daytime in your case (unlike a green laser which you'll need fog or dim the room lights) and it'll be safe.