Argon laser

[buffo]

My HGM is actually turned on/off by completing/severing the thermal overload interlock.

Yeah, mine too. It's a common hack to use the interlock loop to power up the unit.

I would think that there would be alot of stress in that case!!!

What Xytrell means is that he installed a separate switch in series with the high temp switch. So if it goes high temp, the PSU kills the tube current, but even if everything is running fine and he just wants to shut it off, all he has to do is open the switch and the PSU cuts the tube off. Makes for a handy way to switch the tube on and off.

Though if you really were cycling on and off based on the high temp condition (IE: no cooling), it would put extra stress on the tube. Not saying it will kill it (far from that), but it will probably shorten it's life a bit.

Adam

[djmatt]

Oh I got it!! I think..
All Ive been doing is useing the power switch on the PSU, the fan has its own PSU, and that stays on all the time if is pluged in.



djmatt

[buffo]

Yeah, but in the case of the HGM 5 it was designed to idle at low current and then ramp up to full power for a few seconds (up to 30 seconds) for treatment, then idle back down. All that was controlled with the computer dose crap on the front, which is the first thing you bypass when you convert one for laser show use.

Unfortunately, you also lose the power on / standby button when you get rid of all that crap. So installing a simple switch in the temp interlock loop is a quick way to get that "start - stop" ability back.

In most other argon's, this isn't an issue because you've got controls for starting and stopping the tube current right on the PSU. It's only when converting a medical unit that you have to get "creative"...

Adam

[djmatt]

I was wondering what that was,now I understand!!
Well the little bit I know about the med. type lasers is that they are a pain, if the interlocks dont work, or there are way too many on them
But they are there to keep everyone safe!!


djmatt

[djmatt]

I have been bitten by the gas bug!!!
I just got another argon head today, its a:
JDS Uniphase
Model: 2214-20GLYVW
Ser. 28877
Man. date. 10-27-00

I have yet to get it to fire,but the cath.glows,but It will not fire.I have not heard the tick tick tick yet,so Im not sure whats wrong with it. But I did find the hour meter and it has anywere form 5,000-5,500 hours on it, it looks really good! But I havnt had much time to mess with it.
Im powering it with a JDS Uniphase PSU 2213.
Ill try to get some pics soon, but Im on my laptop, due to my motherboard going on my main computer....


djmatt

[Diachi]

I have been bitten by the gas bug!!!
I just got another argon head today, its a:
JDS Uniphase
Model: 2214-20GLYVW
Ser. 28877
Man. date. 10-27-00

I have yet to get it to fire,but the cath.glows,but It will not fire.I have not heard the tick tick tick yet,so Im not sure whats wrong with it. But I did find the hour meter and it has anywere form 5,000-5,500 hours on it, it looks really good! But I havnt had much time to mess with it.
Im powering it with a JDS Uniphase PSU 2213.
Ill try to get some pics soon, but Im on my laptop, due to my motherboard going on my main computer....


djmatt

That might be why you aren't getting it to fire. JDSU 2213s and 2214s aren't compatible. You need to use a 2214 PSU with a 2214 head ( Unless of course you do some rewiring, then it might work. )

The 2213s are almost twice as big as the 2214 heads.

[djmatt]

Yes I found that out later today, but I did read that is the amount of resistance coming from the tube, that tells the PSU when to fire.And if you can find that resistance then you can trick the PSU to make it work. I did get it to come on for a sec. by pulse starting with a grill igniter (dont laugh it works) I was able to find out if the tube was good or not!!

So now im going to hunt down a PSU for this one and a head for the PSU.

djmatt

[Diachi]

Yes I found that out later today, but I did read that is the amount of resistance coming from the tube, that tells the PSU when to fire.And if you can find that resistance then you can trick the PSU to make it work. I did get it to come on for a sec. by pulse starting with a grill igniter (dont laugh it works) I was able to find out if the tube was good or not!!

So now im going to hunt down a PSU for this one and a head for the PSU.

djmatt

There are a few 2214-40MLA PSUs on eBay just now if you search in "argon laser" , they are fairly expensive compared to what I've seen them before. If you look you might find one for $120 or so!

[mixedgas]

Glass enclosing gasses at 70-90 PSI will do that! Ever been injured by one?

The "widget" I am working with at my new employer starts at 340 PSI of fill gas when cold, it is NOT quartz nor is it a borosilicate glass , and it has a Al2O3 window for the instant sunshine.

Dont ask..... Thats all I can say...

Steve

[djmatt]

Yeah I saw a few on there. But I was just trying to find out if the tube was good or not, before I got a PSU for it.
Thanks for the help!!

djmatt