dim lasever 473nm

**neutrino** · 11-12-2009, 21:44

Hi guys, just wanted to run a question by you all.

I put together a RGB projector last Christmas with a blue I got on this forum. It is a 200mW 473nm Lasever.

Over time the output has reduced massively and is now a mere glow at the aperture.

I'm stuck out in the Caribbean so shipping the unit away isn't really an option.

I'm going to try and find the time to remove it from the projector. I was hoping to get some advice on what steps I should start using to try and get it up and running again (if possible!). I'm sure I read somewhere about replacing an 808nm diode???

Any help would be appreciated.

Like I said it will be a while before I have time to remove it from the projector as I'm really tied up with work. I just wanted to get a head start.

I thanks you all in advance.

Rich

**ElektroFreak** · 11-12-2009, 22:07

That's rough.. after less than a year? Is it possibly still under warranty?

Replacing the diode in any DPSS can be a real challenge, especially 473nm. 473nm lasers are very sensitive and difficult to keep stable. If you've never replaced a diode before, a blue laser is a bad place to start. There are a couple people here who could probably pull it off for you, but it might be simpler all around to just buy a new laser.

**allthatwhichis** · 11-12-2009, 22:17

It is dead, return it. Lasever can be hard to get in touch with but are usually good about providing a warranty replacement although turn around time can be long. Start contacting them now while it is under warranty.

**MechEng3** · 11-13-2009, 06:14

It's not the diode. I will bet it is still producing copiuos amounts of pump energy. I would not attempt a repair without some reasonable cleanroom. These are a pain to get going with a new set of rocks.

**neutrino** · 11-13-2009, 18:43

Thanks for the replies.

Just what I suspected. I think it is out of warranty as I bought it second hand. I'll contact Lasever either way as they should be able to pull the info up from the serial number.

Ahhhhh what a pain. I'm going to go down the 405nm route for the time being as I can't justify buying another 473nm at the moment.

Thanks again

Rich

**neutrino** · 12-28-2009, 12:41

I've now taken the 473nm out of the projector. I fired it up independantly. The modulation is feed directly from the 5v power supply. The head emits a faint dot. After a minute or so the head gets warm.

How can I open up the head unit on these Lasever units so I can trace the wiring from the driver?

My tools are limited here, everything is still in the Uk.

Thanks in advance

Rich

**MechEng3** · 12-28-2009, 16:52

I would refrain from doing so....the wires coming off the TEC near the diode mount are very fragile............plus this breaks the sealed compartment. I think they use a 30K Ohm thermistor and the diode should be a 3.8 watt. I have only repaired 3 successfully out of 5 that had these symptoms....$328. Not worth the time unless you have the parts on hand...new LBO-Yag and output coupler sets. Tec wires are white and brown...blue and green are the thermistor.....black red are diode power leads. Hope this helps......if you want to sell for parts let me know....I can use them!

**neutrino** · 12-28-2009, 17:45

The driver gets really hot too.

What would this be worth like this. I could sell it for parts or trade it for something laser based. I am currently in the Caribbean so shipping may take a few weeks. I paid $1175 plus shipping in September last year. I got it off Dram Beamz. He said it was doing 215mW when he shipped it. I don not have a power meter so couldn't test it. It certainly isn't doing that now.

Rich

**Doc** · 12-28-2009, 17:56

To be honest; I wouldn't even run a Lasever 473 that wasn't bolted to a good heatsink, they do produce an awful lot of heat.

**MechEng3** · 12-28-2009, 17:59

Trouble is that the adhesive gives way on some of the TEC's and they fry the diode to a crisp in short order. Some have burned a hole in the output coupler....some burned the coating off the Yag.....not good either way. I would rather have a different style laser with independant TEC's for better overall lasing.

**neutrino** · 12-28-2009, 18:09

The driver was bolted to a nice big heatsink when it was in the projector. How come everything is still getting hot and yet there is very little coming out??

**MechEng3** · 12-28-2009, 18:38

If the TEC has fallen off or something else loose in the head....the thermistor only see's that it needs to cool the laser. If the TEC can't shed or move it's heat out to something else it just keeps powering the TEC and more and more heat is generated by the driver and the laser that is malfuctioning. Snowball destruction......one of these had gotten so hot that the laser die was unsoldered and hanging by the bond wires to the neg post. making it mostly junk.

**Dr Laser** · 12-29-2009, 02:02

I still have 180MW Lasever somewhere. It become dim and I gave up on it knowing how long it will take to get fixed rapaired. I don't think it's under warranty anymore. It makes about 5mw now. Would be nice if it can be repaired.

**Phatslug** · 12-29-2009, 11:54

What model is it exactly? The older series had problems with moisture and the crystals getting weak. Then, I heared, that the sealed the laser heads and flooded them with a gas to avoid.

However, I think as every1 else, an easy repair isnt possible. I would return it to Lasever, yes, it will take them a hell of a time to reply and exchange, but my own experiance was, they will fix the issue at a time.

Good luck!

**dream beamz** · 12-29-2009, 13:42

Originally Posted by Doc

To be honest; I wouldn't even run a Lasever 473 that wasn't bolted to a good heatsink, they do produce an awful lot of heat.

Yes, never run this style of power supply without heatsinking it down. It gets super hot since it was designed to be small to heatsink into your projector.

Originally Posted by neutrino

The driver was bolted to a nice big heatsink when it was in the projector. How come everything is still getting hot and yet there is very little coming out??

Its still getting hot because it is running or trying to run the pump diode like Mike said. Whether it produces visible light or not does not affect the amount of heat it produces

Originally Posted by Phatslug

What model is it exactly?

LSR473-ML-200
LSR- PS-I

This was originally the older style laser and replaced by lasever 2 weeks before I put it up for sale as one of the first new style that was supposed to fix the old issues. Matter a fact I did not even have time to post this unit for sale since I saw neutrino's WTB thread. While my lasever was being replaced I had bought a more powerful 473nm so I did not need the Lasever when I got it back.

http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...ule?highlight=

padi.instructor = neutrino, correct? I guess you had a user name change

Originally Posted by neutrino

The driver gets really hot too.

What would this be worth like this. I could sell it for parts or trade it for something laser based.

I would send it to Mike and see if he can repair it for you. Right now since no one knows whats wrong with it not many people are willing to take a chance on it. Sorry it died on you, should have PM'd me when you first noticed it was dying because I could have contacted Lasever for you to see if they would even offer a cheap repair if not a warranty repair since I had just got it back in early September.

**Dr Laser** · 01-02-2010, 14:07

Originally Posted by Phatslug

What model is it exactly? The older series had problems with moisture and the crystals getting weak. Then, I heared, that the sealed the laser heads and flooded them with a gas to avoid.

However, I think as every1 else, an easy repair isnt possible. I would return it to Lasever, yes, it will take them a hell of a time to reply and exchange, but my own experiance was, they will fix the issue at a time.

Good luck!

It's that older one that everyone was complaining about. Any idea how to get in contact with Lasaver?

**neutrino** · 01-02-2010, 15:20

Yea it is the older one. I'm really tired up at the mo. I will try and contact Lasever sometime next week and see what they say. Its David I need to speak to, right?

Is there a better way to get in touch other that the email address on their website?

Rich

**dream beamz** · 01-02-2010, 18:28

Originally Posted by neutrino

Yea it is the older one. I'm really tired up at the mo. I will try and contact Lasever sometime next week and see what they say. Its David I need to speak to, right?

Is there a better way to get in touch other that the email address on their website?

Rich

Like I said, although the model # on it reflects it, this laser is NOT the old model. They put the old model # on it but only to keep the "books" straight i am guessing. You can try to contact David Wu but since the laser was bought over 2 years ago and replaced under warranty over a year ago then he probably will not do anything for you.

**neutrino** · 01-12-2010, 22:23

Originally Posted by dream beamz

Like I said, although the model # on it reflects it, this laser is NOT the old model. They put the old model # on it but only to keep the "books" straight i am guessing. You can try to contact David Wu but since the laser was bought over 2 years ago and replaced under warranty over a year ago then he probably will not do anything for you.

So I got an email back from David Wu saying to return the laser for them to check out. If the fault is the same as the previous they will repair/replace for free if not they will let me know how much to repair it.

Dream Beamz can you remember what the issue was when you had to return it? Do you think it could be what I am experiencing?

Fingers crossed I guess.

Rich

**dream beamz** · 01-15-2010, 16:18

i do believe that was the same problem, sounds like david is going to help you out. awesome

**neutrino** · 01-15-2010, 17:11

Yea fingers crossed. I'm just waiting for a returns number before I can ship it back.

Rich

**neutrino** · 01-16-2010, 12:48

Well, I have now received a returns number so I'll try and get it shipped back to Lasever on Monday.

I was impressed and somewhat suprised to receive such quick responses from Lasever. from what I have heard and read they are no the quickest to reply.

Looking good so far.

Rich

**buffo** · 01-16-2010, 13:45

Maybe David Wu is trying to improve Lasever's customer service? Honestly, they always did fix their problems in the past. It's just that it frequently took *months* to get an answer from them. Maybe David is getting better about keeping up with communications.?. Let's hope so!

Keep us informed of the progress of this return, please!

Adam

**neutrino** · 01-16-2010, 13:55

Yea lets hope so

I will be sure to keep you informed. I'm currently working in Honduras shipping may take a while. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Rich

**neutrino** · 09-01-2010, 12:03

So I got round to sending David Wu an email to see if he had received my laser yet and had he determined what was wrong. I got a reply saying check my email in a week. So one week later I got another email from him asking for my shipping address and phone number. He is sending me a replacement unit - he even said he hadn't received my laser yet.

Lets hope I get a nice new/working 473nm 200mW module to fit in my RGB. I'll then add some 445 to it for an extra punch.

I am waiting on a tracking number from him.

Cheers
Rich

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