The GLG3078 project :D

Well, after first getting this laser from daguin about 2-3 years ago, I've slowly been working on getting it all into a nice, clean setup.

I had to wire it up to a standard Uniphase PSU, as PSU's for these lasers seem to be basically impossible to find, however it wasn't too difficult.

One of the issues was, however, the little ignitor board that comes with the head really didn't like trying to start the head on the Uniphase PSU. It would click slowly, sometimes misfire etc. Dave sent me a Uniphase ignitor board, I wired it all up and after hours of clicking, finally got it lit.

However, the Uniphase ignitor board was just too huge to fit inside the argon head, so I set out to redesign it to fit in place of the old ignitor.

This is the old ignitor:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF2429.jpg

Compared with the Uniphase ignitor:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF1190.jpg

Uniphase ignitor redesigned onto a PCB the same size as the old one:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Ignitor.png

I haven't fired the laser up in ages, purely because wiring it up is a pain with the old ignitor. After moving down South with my dad, I sent the PCB's in 2 weeks ago to have them made, and they arrived today:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5023.jpg

So, I installed all the components I had ripped off the old board:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5022.jpg

Mounted and wired it into the laser head (with the toroid inductor under the PCB)

And then had to get the courage to turn it on. I have a phobia of unexpected loud noises, things like balloons and thunder drive me insane, so I was standing far back when I first turned it on ...

But, nevertheless, it clicked, and fired. This laser had over 6000 hours on the tube, and the capillary is pretty well lined with crap, so I sat there and fired it about 20 times before it finally struck down the bore and stayed lit :D

Forgot to get internal shots when I had it open, don't really want to open it up yet as it's still running in the garage, but, beam pics :D

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5028.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5033.jpg

This laser does about 8 lines at full current, however only 2 or so at idle. Not sure if it needs alignment or what, but it's very well used, so I'm not too worried.

Internal pics:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5042.jpg

Inductor is wrapped in electrical tape, bubble wrap and mroe electrical tape to insulate it :D

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/203420/Argon/DSCF5044.jpg

PS: If anyone wants one of the little PCB's, let me know, I have a few of em I'll never use.


Dan