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swapping the laser in an American DJ Laser Scan


tebbsie

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^_^ Hi.

I would love to swap out the 4.9mw red laser in a pair of american dj emerald scans, with something bigger/more powerfull.

 

Has any one done this, and if so HOW,

 

I have seen it done by some one on youtube, but he can't remember how it was done or what he used, big help.

 

If I knew the opp voltage of the laser in there to start off with I would be half way there.

 

Hope to hear from someone soon

 

Mike

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Sounds a very dangerous to me, the product that you bought would have (hopefully) had to pass strict safety guidelines and checked against said regulations before it was ready for the market. Installation of unauthorised parts will void the manufacturers safety certification and you could damage someone's eyesight very badly.

 

 

I am sure others will voice their opinions and will say the same!

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Sounds a very dangerous to me, the product that you bought would have (hopefully) had to pass strict safety guidelines and checked against said regulations before it was ready for the market. Installation of unauthorised parts will void the manufacturers safety certification and you could damage someone's eyesight very badly.

 

 

I am sure others will voice their opinions and will say the same!

 

 

The power limitations on lasers used for disco and club work are pretty strict in the us and therefore they only produce them with a 4.9mw laser, you can buy upto 160mw lasers in the uk for club and mobile use, so am looking to swap out the laser for a 60mw or 80 mw green, still within uk regulation

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That wasn't really the point I was trying to make, sorry if it didn't come across very well.

 

In essence you're modifying a product to fit something that it wasn't designed for, as it's already a budget fixture would you feel safe with it coping with something more than 10x than what it was intended to use?

 

I know I wouldn't, but I'm not a laser expert.

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OK then - not knowing this type of laser, exactly what safety features does it have if one of the galvos failed, and the beam becomes stationary ?

 

Does it shutter the laser and shut it off ?

 

And besides, apart form the safety concerns - its not as simple as swapping out the laser diode (im assuming its diode based) - what about the extra heat generated by the new diode ?. Are you planning to hack the case to put in some fans ? (or 'some more fans').

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That wasn't really the point I was trying to make, sorry if it didn't come across very well.

 

In essence you're modifying a product to fit something that it wasn't designed for, as it's already a budget fixture would you feel safe with it coping with something more than 10x than what it was intended to use?

 

I know I wouldn't, but I'm not a laser expert.

 

 

I understand what you were saying, let me explain about the unit, it is a scanner bassed laser and therefore mounted to point down to the floor from an overhead position, the movement of the scanning mirror is about 45 degrees left to right and about 50 degrees up and down, unless someone is looking directly at the scanner, and following the head, there is not a lot of danger, plus, at the legal wavelength aloud in the uk, there is no a great risk, because the laser is in constant motion, not focused on any one point. As an experienced lighting op, having used lasers for the last 10 years, I have never had, or seen any incident or accident caused by these low wavelength lasers.

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

OK then - not knowing this type of laser, exactly what safety features does it have if one of the galvos failed, and the beam becomes stationary ?

 

Does it shutter the laser and shut it off ?

 

And besides, apart form the safety concerns - its not as simple as swapping out the laser diode (im assuming its diode based) - what about the extra heat generated by the new diode ?. Are you planning to hack the case to put in some fans ? (or 'some more fans').

 

The case is already fan cooled, the diode is the barrel type, the main head mirror is on a stepper motor, the whole unit is controled via DMX, which does include a blackout facility

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It might have a blackout - but what I'm talking about is a safety feature, not operated by the operator. As you have got the lid off, then disconnect one of your stepper motors - the beam stops - is there a shutter that slams down, or does the diode shut off ?, or does it simply stop and you get a solid beam ?.

 

I was going to suggest you take a look directly into the beam and report back to us on your eyesight afterwards (or lack of it), but I dont fancy getting shouted at by the mods, nor inciting anyone to do anything stupid. But, you see my point. If you wont do it, then dont expose your clients, customers, punters etc to the risk that it will happen.

 

You say you have not had any issues before with lasers. Ok, neither have I, when I worked for a club install company - I used to get calls saying 'laser not working'. I would much prefer this, than calls saying 'your laser has failed and blinded someone'. Check for the safety features. If it hasnt got them, buy one that has, and is designed for that power laser !.

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Good , good advice on safety , its 4.9mW because above that it steps from Class 3R to Class 3B

 

http://www.scitec.uk.com/lasers/laser_classification.php

 

Accidents are rare but do happen

 

http://www.laserist.org/2008-07_Russian-incident.htm

 

3B applies from 5mW (5/1000ths of a watt)right up to 0.5W, 1/2W, it turns from just a pretty effect to a potential eye hazard.

 

Try asking on http://www.photonlexicon.com

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Moderation: The consensus among several moderators is that this project could have safety, liability and possibly legal implications and therefore it is not something that the Blue Room can endorse. Good advice and links from musht and emsgeorge, so topic closed.
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