Does a CO2 laser tube need a ballast resistor like the old HeNe tubes ?? I hooked my up and toasted the power supply in seconds even with the current set at minimum.
Mike
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Does a CO2 laser tube need a ballast resistor like the old HeNe tubes ?? I hooked my up and toasted the power supply in seconds even with the current set at minimum.
Mike
The power supply should have one in it. If you made the power supply that you need a ballast.
good question. my co2 laser is rf excited so it's not the same at all.
Holy Fuck! That is tiny! It looks like a YAG!
Ben --
I got the supply off Fleabay. No schematics.... I did have the HV transistors to repair it though. At 15 mA, is 1K enough !! Maybe 15K would stablize it better. Only 3.3 watts disipation.
Mike
Try 50k ohm. Make sure the wattage is >10W
Ben --
I have 2 - 25K , 10 Watt resistors. Should help. I have plenty of volts available - Up to 14 KV ... Maybe I should go higher yet - It will still ignite.
Mike
it is very much like a lady's purse model laser..Quote:
Originally Posted by Laser Ben
Ben --
I wii start with the 2 - 25K resistors. The voltage drop accross each is just under 400 volts -- Should be safe there.
SD -- That's a super little laser !! If you are cutting in those pix, is there gas assist ?? How many "KW" !!! Where did you find a toy like that ??
Mike
OOPS -- I put in a 50K resistor and it draws about 25ma .... Burned through a 1" piece of foam rubber and then smoked a table 4' away !! No Lens !!!!! 1/4" beam.
Thanks for the advice !!
Mike