Powering 10 Lasers with a 6V 500mA Adapter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around powering 10 laser pointers using a single 6V 500mA adapter. Participants explore the feasibility of this setup, including the necessary voltage and current requirements, as well as safety considerations related to laser use.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the 6V 500mA adapter is sufficient for powering 10 lasers, each typically powered by 3 LR44 batteries (1.5V each).
  • Another participant shares personal experiences powering a laser pointer with various power sources, suggesting that input power may not significantly affect beam quality.
  • A warning is raised about the potential dangers of using multiple lasers, emphasizing the risk of eye damage.
  • One participant calculates that the laser array may require 4.5V at 6mA, which is below the adapter's capacity, but the exact wiring configuration is not specified.
  • There is a discussion about whether the total voltage required for all lasers should be equal to the sum of their individual requirements (1.5V x 3 x 10 = 45V), raising questions about the correct setup.
  • Participants express concern over the safety of using lasers, with one sharing anecdotal evidence of potential eye damage from laser exposure.
  • Suggestions are made to connect the lasers in series and use a variable resistor to manage current, though some participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of this approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to power the lasers or the safety implications of the setup. Multiple viewpoints and uncertainties remain regarding the wiring configuration and the adequacy of the power supply.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the exact current requirements for the lasers and how to properly configure the circuit. Participants also express varying levels of knowledge about lasers, which may affect the reliability of their suggestions.

WhiteBen
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Hello to all,

I need to be able to power 10 laser pointers at the same time all running from one adapter. Each laser is normally powered by 3 LR44 batteries, which are 1.5v each (I don't know how many amps). The DC adapter ill be using for the project is 6v and 500 mA. Is that enough? if not I am sure i have another one around the house. So basically, I want to know if this adapter will do and what kind of resistor i need to add to the circuit(hopefully I only need one, it would stink to have to solder one for each laser). Is there's anything else you think i should add to make this work?

Thx for the help

Ben
 
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ive taken one of those laser pointers and powered it from a rectified 300v transformer, also powered it from my phone battery charger, from what i can tell the input power makes no difference on the beam, i really don't know anything abt lasers but those were my own observations... just string em together and into your power supply is all i can think of. i really don't know though, should probably wait for someone who knows what they're talking abt to give you better advice
 
You do know that may a fairly dangerous device you're building there? One of those can damage your or someone elses eyes if used improperly. Seems to me, ten of them could cause significant, permanent damage with a mere flick in the wrong direction.

Googling "LR44 battery current" turns up a reliable-ish .6mA.

So your laser array, depending on how you wire it up, should take 4.5V @ 6mA - way below your powerpack's 500mA.
 
what exactly are you doing anyway?
Are you trying to make a laser system that you'd find in a club or something like that or what?
 
Im am buidling this for my own fun. These lasers have a output of >1mW which is not dangerous. i know someone who counted up to 30 shooting one of them in each eyes to prove a point(I DONT RECOMEND TO TO THIS) and he dosent see any black holes (yet). I want to know if the 4.5v is enought or do i have to get one that's equal to the amount of the voltage required for all the lasers (1.5x3)x10 = 45?? also, what kind of a resistor or capacitor will i need to have 6mA?

thank you
 
Last edited:
WhiteBen said:
i know someone who counted up to 30 shooting one of them in each eyes to prove a point
What an idiot.
 
lol... idiot indeed... and actually this friend of yours could have permanent damage to their eye's already and just not realize it, that's often the case with laser burned eyes, the damage is just not always in their direct line of sight so they can't tell but its still there...
if you(or this person) ever notice what seems to be orbs or watermarks floating around when your staring at something distant off in he corner of your eye and you try tracking it but it moves with your eyes so you can't get a direct look at it that would be from damaging your eyes if not from lasers then from staring at the sun...
and saying a 1mw laser is not dangerous is like saying the sun is not...
 
Ok, enought about talking about how 1mW laser can make your head explode, does anyone here have enough knowledge to answer my questions?
 
Last edited:
DaveC426913 said:
You do

Googling "LR44 battery current" turns up a reliable-ish .6mA.

So your laser array, depending on how you wire it up, should take 4.5V @ 6mA - way below your powerpack's 500mA.
i think that should answer it doesn't it? i don't know much abt lasers but it seems to be as good an answer as any...

i think you should just string em together in series and put em right into your power source, use one variable resistor to adjust the current to be sure you don't blow anything though. i don't know how your input may effect your result but from my own experiment i described earlier it doesn't have much effect...
 
  • #10
tc_kid said:
i think you should just string em together in series and put em right into your power source, use one variable resistor to adjust the current to be sure you don't blow anything though. i don't know how your input may effect your result but from my own experiment i described earlier it doesn't have much effect...
as I've mentioned i don't really know anything about lasers so don't take my word for it.
 

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