How to Convert a Laser Pointer to Run Off AAA Batteries
A laser pointer, like any electronic device that generates light, requires a power source to operate. You can adapt a commercially available red laser pointer to run off an external "AAA" battery pack and increase the intensity of the beam. A few supplies from an electronics store and a hobby shop will be needed, as will some tools most homes already have on hand. No expertise in electronics is needed, although some previous experience in using a soldering iron will be helpful.
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Things You'll Need
- Laser pointer
- Newspaper
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- AAA battery pack
- 6 AAA batteries
- 12-gauge electric wire spool
- Ruler
- Utility knife
- Wire stripper
- Microswitch
- Resistor, 300 ohm
- Pliers
Instructions
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1
Unscrew the battery cap from the back end of the red laser pointer. Remove the batteries and place them and the cap aside.
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2
Place a sheet of newspaper on a table to protect the surface. Place the soldering iron's base on the newspaper. Place the soldering iron on the base and plug its power cord in for power. Heat up the soldering iron for six minutes before continuing.
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3
Stand the AAA battery pack on the newspaper with the open end facing up. Cut four 1-inch lengths of electric wire from the electric wire spool with the utility knife. Strip a half inch of insulation off each end of each of the wires with a wire stripper.
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4
Solder the exposed end of one of the electric wires to the positive ("+") contact on the battery pack. Let the solder cool for a minute. Solder the exposed end of another electric wire to the negative ("-") labeled contact on the battery pack. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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5
Solder the free end of the electric wire that is connected to the positive ("+") contact to one of the two contacts on the microswitch. Let the solder cool for a minute. Solder the exposed end of an unconnected electric wire to the other contact on the microswitch. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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6
Solder the free end of the electric wire that is soldered to the microswitch to one of the two pins of the resistor. Let the solder cool for a minute. Solder the exposed end of an unconnected electric wire to the other pin on the resistor. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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Hold the pointer by the back end in one hand. Hold pliers in the other hand. Grip the jaws of the pliers around the front end of the pointer. Twist the pliers to separate the front end from the back end. Pull the front end off the back end.
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8
Place the pointer on the newspaper with the circuit board facing up and the red laser diode at the end of the board facing right.
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9
Locate the two contacts on the circuit board where the two pins of the red laser pointer are soldered. Solder the free end of the electric wire from the negative ("-") contact on the battery pack to one of the two contacts to which the diode is soldered. Let the solder cool for a minute. Solder the exposed end of the wire attached to the pin of the resistor to the other contact to which the diode's pin is soldered. Let the solder cool for a minute.
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10
Rotate the back section of the pointer toward a far wall. Insert the six AAA batteries into the battery pack by lining up the positive ("+") and negative ("-") contacts on the batteries with the same contacts printed inside the pack. Press the microswitch to project a more intense beam of red laser light at the wall, now that the red laser diode is being powered by the AAA batteries.
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Tips & Warnings
You can wear protective laser goggles when using a laser pointer.
Never aim the beam of a laser at a person or pet's eyes.
Don't aim a laser pointer at a reflective surface. The beam could bounce back at you or at someone else in the path of the beam.
