So mine is TTL?

[ggallant571]

Your older 5.5W laser module is probably not TTL compatible. You either need a controller that has an on-board power transistor or an external power converter board. I do not own a mana board but suspect it has a power MOSFET. Big 3-ping part.

[mightygrom]

I guess the attachment did not work... on the board on the top of the laser is a solder pad for a ttl wire... I read elsewhere that you could solder a wire to the ttl pad and it works for ttl… but would that work for PWM?

here is a link to the pic

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmsR2QHhBfY/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ehbodpuu7trg

it does have an lr120n mosfet on the board...


https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/a2.datacaciques.com/wm/3060565851/1121394465/3998930740.jpg

[ggallant571]

I have the same laser module and used the on-board MOSFET to control it. My A5 came with an L7 controller that has the MOSFET built-in. Have since switched to a home-brew design that has headers for the limit/home switches.  I replaced the 5.5W with a 2.5W laser and am getting better quality etchings. Not so good for cutting.

[mightygrom]

I had no problems getting etchings to come out nicely... I just had to cut the power way back and focus it carefully... I am upgrading the body of my laser... (it now has a 926mmx650mm work area... about 36"x25") I want to do light cutting (foamboard, etc) and would really like the option to add a third axis...

I found elsewhere Zax talking about adding limit switches to the d9 and d10 pins on the Arduino... I'll do this and stick with the L7 board if I can't run the laser on the Mana or some other grbl solution...  I just don't want to reinvent the wheel when I can spend my hobby time working in my wheelhouse (mechanical design)

[ggallant571]

I have 1.6W, 2.5W, & 5.5W laser modules. The 1.6W  is cleaner, crisper, sharper than the 2.5 which is significantly better than the 5.5.  If you want to do the soldering, I can send you a blank 3 axis board with headers for limit switches.

[Zax]

The 2.5W is a good all-rounder, faster for engraving and "it will cut" 

[mightygrom]

thanks.... I'd rather try to use the laser module I already have, but if I am forced to get a new one, I will think about going smaller... though I would rather wait and get a larger CO2 laser... or better yet, continue to save to buy the parts for the plasma cutting CNC that I have planned.

[ggallant571]

Your wish list sounds familiar!!