My HeNe won't start.............. Help!

[John Sonley]

Hi DZ - just keep it coming please as I need to find a solution to this failure - it's bed-time now for me so please excuse me but I'll follow up all suggestions tomorrow - I'm a reasonably competent engineer and if I have to delve into the inner workings of the tubular laser housing, I will - but I need guidance as to how I progress into this very fragile enclosure
Brgds
John

[DZ]

Hmm, I wouldn't have expected it to be like that. I've never seen one of those before so I'm not sure. If the top and bottom don't split, then it sounds like you probably have to remove the front or rear end cap and slide the assembly out. That would kinda make me a bit worried as well.

The ballast resistors could look like anything really. If you look at the pic I attached, the ballast resistors are on the left side. This is from the SP model 124, the ballast resistors were encased in glass. I had to replace one which required me to *carefully* break the glass tube around the ballast resistors without breaking the HeNe tube!

You might want to see if there's someone from this forum near you that might be brave enough to remove the tube from the head to inspect the HV wiring and ballast resistors.

There is no top cover. The rectangular case wraps around the central tubular laser housing and there is one screw on the vertical surffaces on each side at the front and back.
I would need to look underneath the laser to see if there is some type of fastening of the front and back plate as I don't think that the rectangular surround will slide off the internal tube housing the laser unless I remove one or other of the ends
Brgds
John

[Jem]

Hi John

Great, you found your way here

To those trying to help... John's a great guy, a super holographer and a friend. Thanks for helping him out, I just wish my knowledge was greater so I could be of some assistance.

Cheers

Jem

[Jem]

You might want to see if there's someone from this forum near you that might be brave enough to remove the tube from the head to inspect the HV wiring and ballast resistors.

The only person I know to be anywhere near that could handle this sort of thing is Rob (Stanwax), but I think he's away at the moment. Anyone know when he's back?

Jem

[John Sonley]

Thanks Jem for your support and DZ for all your information.
I want to keep this thread active as I really need to find a solution to the problem but I am concerned, without detailed instruction about getting screwdrivers out to open up the laser housing.

If there was someone on this forum, who perhaps works for or has worked for Melles Griot, I would welcome hearing from them - if they could guide me step-by-step through dismantling this particular model I would develop a little more confidence in getting the screwdriver out - mand it sounds as though I may need to buy ballast resistor(s), I wonder where you can get them?

If there was someone to whom I could send or take the laser for assessment/repair, to me that sounds a good route to follow.

Any help would be welcomed

BRgds
John

I tried warming-up the power supply overnight on the house radiator but I still get the 'click' arcing/sparking sound at about half second intervals as the tube attempts to ignite - the sound comes from very close to the beam output end of the laser

[Carl B]

The only person I know to be anywhere near that could handle this sort of thing is Rob (Stanwax), but I think he's away at the moment. Anyone know when he's back?

Jem

Hi Jem

Rob is away until next weekend I think. Gone to try and break a bone or two on the French Alpps.
Seriosley, hope he and Sue return home OK. I Don't want him to be off is feet when he gets back home as he should have a new Laserwave Red that needs posting to me.

Regards the HeNe, I'm sure Rob would have a look at it. Rob will have a go at anything.

Carl

[John Sonley]

Carl, thanks for the message and the hope that Rob may be able to help - I'd be very happy to ship the Laser and power supply to him for assessment and hopefully for repair.
As I don't know him, would you be kind enough to email him and point him in the direction of this thread
BRgds
John

[Carl B]

Hi John

I will point him to this thread when he get's back. Rob love's his HeNe's. He says he love's his HeNe's more than is SP 168 white light. That is some statement.

Carl

[John Sonley]

Carl, many thanks and thank you for your lifeline and I look forward to hearing from Rob.
I also love my HeNe and if you have a peep at my website you'll see the problem laser fastened to my holographic sand box - I spend hours here during the Winter - - and what with my amateur radio station (Callsign G3XZV) also in the basement of the house, I rarely emerge into daylight during Winter months, in the Summer the garden keeps me busy

My website is at: www.jmshome.demon.co.uk

BRgds
John

[mixedgas]

If this is a MELLES Griot, ring up or email the factory and ask for A*** in Gas Lasers... (PM SENT)

He can prolly tell you what the spec current and tube voltage is, and possibly the resistor value.
Since you are outside of the states they might be a little more forthcoming about telling you what the value is, but make sure you state you know your way around HV or you will get nothing .... (^%$# lawyers)


Steve