refurbishing an Argon laser

[edison]

Hello guys,

I wondered who is the best person to contact here on PL for refurbishing an Argon laser. Its an lasos LGK7890. I though it might be a good idea to ask first because i can imagine that it needs is kind of a special job that needs to be done by an experianced person.

Hope you guys can help me to point me in the right direction.

Thanks!!

[mixedgas]

Only three companies professionally rebuild air cooled Argon TUBEs, manufacturers sell you whole new heads with a new tube. Many companies do watercooled. However air cooled does not has as much demand. Power supply repairs are a different matter, if that is all you need.


What do you need, PSU or Tube work? If its a tube contact the following:

Lasos,
Evergreen Laser in Connecticut
HB laser in Germany might help you.
National Laser in Utah.

Steve

[Stoney3K]

If the tube doesn't work, you may find some useful information here. If it really needs a refurb, Steve (Mixedgas, above) can give you some pointers since he's been in the ion laser world since like forever.

If the tube starts but doesn't lase, it may just be misaligned, meaning it *might* not need a refurbishment but realigning an ion laser that size is quite a tedious task. A Spectra 168 isn't difficult to learn since the mirror mounts on those heads are huge compared to what you have.

Steve: Looking at the data sheet, the Lasos 7890 seems to be an OEM unit, and it looks suspiciously similar to 'other' ALC-60x type heads. Does that mean the head has sealed mirrors as well?

If the power supply is defective, fixing it may not even be worth the bother unless you want to restore the head in its original (cosmetic) condition. If you just want it to work, it may be easier to find a replacement, but make sure the PSU's input voltage (230VAC) and output voltage match that of your tube. A mismatched PSU in the best case will just not work, in the worst case, it can blast your laser (and even the PSU) into photon heaven with a shower of sparks.

In case you suspect the PSU to be faulty and the rated tube voltage is 105-110V at under 10A, I have a PSU that can at least start and run the tube from my own ion head. I've already checked the cabling in the data sheet, and the plugs match as well.

[mixedgas]

Quote:

If the tube starts but doesn't lase, it may just be misaligned, meaning it *might* not need a refurbishment but realigning an ion laser that size is quite a tedious task. A Spectra 168 isn't difficult to learn since the mirror mounts on those heads are huge compared to what you hav


I have no problems realigning some, if not most sealed tubes, but I've done this for a living. (newer SP aircooled, forget it, cant be done)

Steve: Looking at the data sheet, the Lasos 7890 seems to be an OEM unit, and it looks suspiciously similar to 'other' ALC-60x type heads. Does that mean the head has sealed mirrors as well?

NOT Always.

If the power supply is defective, fixing it may not even be worth the bother unless you want to restore the head in its original (cosmetic) condition. If you just want it to work, it may be easier to find a replacement, but make sure the PSU's input voltage (230VAC) and output voltage match that of your tube. A mismatched PSU in the best case will just not work, in the worst case, it can blast your laser (and even the PSU) into photon heaven with a shower of sparks.

[COLOR="#FF0000"]Depends on whom made the PSU, Lasos, and some others, very repairable. Uniphase with a "personality" board, forget it.[/COLOR

We really need to know about the situation, some times its as simple as adjusting a PSU, I've seen quite a few perfectly good units get tossed over the years for something minor, so the OP needs to tell us more.]Steve

[ClearBlu]

Laserelectronics in the UK are a company I'd recommend,been dealing with them for over 15 years.Kevin is an expert at tube repairs/re-gassing and high end second hand spares,nice people to deal with and a reputation that is 100%,not too expensive and give free good advice
Hope it helps

[Stoney3K]

Laserelectronics in the UK are a company I'd recommend,been dealing with them for over 15 years.Kevin is an expert at tube repairs/re-gassing and high end second hand spares,nice people to deal with and a reputation that is 100%,not too expensive and give free good advice
Hope it helps

I don't think we need to jump the gun and get this thing out the door for regassing/rebuilding by an expert just yet...

Edison: You might want to contact me and I can have a look to see if there is not something more obvious wrong with the unit. If the tube is electrically sound (e.g. the cathode lights and the plasma tube starts) the rest should be possible to do in your workshop, and can be a good learning experience in the inner workings of a laser as well.

[edison]

Thanks guys for all the help Its kind of a bussiness oppertunity and so i was looking for someone who can refurbish these units on a regular basis. I will contact
Kevin and see what they can do. Stoney thanks for the offer. I will concider before i make the final choice. Thanks guys!!!!

[mixedgas]

Message sent via PM with list of tube suppliers.

Steve

[edison]

Thanks well its not so easy as i thought. But i will try a few of them. Thanks steve!!! and others of coarse

[Stoney3K]

Thanks well its not so easy as i thought. But i will try a few of them. Thanks steve!!! and others of coarse

It may be worth the effort to give the system a test through and see what it does or doesn't do.

Do you have some good photos of the head/tube and power supply? A lot of people here know a few things about argons and may be willing to help you out. As I said, anything that doens't compromise the gas sealing of the tube (e.g. refilling/repumping) is pretty straightforward stuff you can do in your own workshop.

If you need to have the tube refilled, think about whether or not it's worth it for that particular laser. Sometimes replacing is a lot cheaper.