Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Problems with RGB projector output

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    84

    Default Problems with RGB projector output

    So I bought a LaserBee 2.5W LPM to test the output of my 5W RGB. When I test each color one at a time, the 650nm gets to around 275mw, the 532nm gets to about 350mw, and the 473nm gets to about 200mw. Each of these lasers are rated at 1W 650, 2W 532 and 2W 473. If I blaze white, I get to about 750mw. I believe each diode is Sollinger, but not positive on the red. I am using Beyond and using a hot beam to test. It's as if I am not able to maximize the power of these lasers and I'm not sure what's wrong. I also have this problem with the 473nm. It will run at run for 10-15 seconds at 200mw +- and then it dims and runs at about half for a while, then it may go back after a while or not.

    When I opened the case, I was able to put my LPM in front of the red and I get to about 450mw so I know I'm losing some through the scanners and aperture, but I shouldn't be losing near as much power as I am on all three beams. Any suggestions? If I can't figure it out, I'm going to send it to Marc over at CTLasers, but thought I might be missing something simple? From the looks of the inside of the projector, I could possibly bypass the main power and power up one of the lasers individually, but I'm not sure I'm adept enough at putting it all back together. Thanks for your help/advice.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Mi
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    Just make an ilda plug with only interlock and modulation lines. Connect mod lines to 5v source, plug in and measure power output.

    Unless I mis understood what you want to do, you should be able to take each laser full on this way.

    Also you may want to try the abstract generator full on but reduced to dot size.
    leading in trailing technology

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    84

    Default

    Hi polishedball. To be honest, I don't think I would know exactly how to do what you described. But does it sound like I have a cable problem?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    84

    Default

    I'll go try the abstract generator to a dot size and see what I get. Any idea why the blue does it's dimming thing?

  5. #5
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is offline Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,810

    Default

    moonraker,

    you're testing the lasers under modulation and that won't give you an accurate reading with a thermopile based power meter like your laserbee. you need to turn the lasers on full power by applying a steady 5v to the modulation input line of each laser before you can measure them.

    you also need to measure the laser power before any optics.. mirrors/dichros/scanners as all of these things are lossy and will impact your power reading.

    Quote Originally Posted by Moon-raker View Post
    Hi polishedball. To be honest, I don't think I would know exactly how to do what you described. But does it sound like I have a cable problem?
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    84

    Default

    Thanks Swamidog for the reply. Does it seem that the output levels are normal for these lasers under modulation? It just seems low to me for a 5W projector to only be measuring at 750mw. Unless what you're saying is that the LaserBee is giving an inaccurate reading because they are under modulation so the 750mw might actually mean it's probably outputting correctly. I'm still concerned about the blue dimming though. This is very noticeable when the show is projecting white. The blue drops down and I get an over powering of green.

  7. #7
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is offline Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,810

    Default

    it doesn't mean anything. although, it does sound like you have a problem with your blue.


    Quote Originally Posted by Moon-raker View Post
    Thanks Swamidog for the reply. Does it seem that the output levels are normal for these lasers under modulation? It just seems low to me for a 5W projector to only be measuring at 750mw. Unless what you're saying is that the LaserBee is giving an inaccurate reading because they are under modulation so the 750mw might actually mean it's probably outputting correctly. I'm still concerned about the blue dimming though. This is very noticeable when the show is projecting white. The blue drops down and I get an over powering of green.
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Mi
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    This is what I use to test once in a projector, pin 4 and 17 are jumpered to satisfy interlock if present. A 9V battery feeds a 5V regulator applying modulation to pin 5,6,7 and the grounds. This will give you a static beam full power out the projector to test output after all optics and scanners.

    You can connect the 5,6,7 with individual lines and turn on one laser at a time.

    Swami wasn;t it mentioned somewhere I think that Bill said using the abstract generator will give you the closest to full on measurement?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo (43).JPG 
Views:	26 
Size:	224.0 KB 
ID:	33431
    leading in trailing technology

  9. #9
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is offline Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,810

    Default

    nice! that's an excellent approach.


    Quote Originally Posted by polishedball View Post
    This is what I use to test once in a projector, pin 4 and 17 are jumpered to satisfy interlock if present. A 9V battery feeds a 5V regulator applying modulation to pin 5,6,7 and the grounds. This will give you a static beam full power out the projector to test output after all optics and scanners.

    You can connect the 5,6,7 with individual lines and turn on one laser at a time.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	photo (43).JPG 
Views:	26 
Size:	224.0 KB 
ID:	33431
    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Mi
    Posts
    2,538

    Default

    found my old post when i asked the question http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...enerator+power
    leading in trailing technology

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •