Page 1 of 5 12345 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 50

Thread: CO2 tube question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    North Iowa
    Posts
    249

    Default CO2 tube question

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cupertino, California
    Posts
    2,130

    Default

    The power supply should have one in it. If you made the power supply that you need a ballast.
    CLICKY!!!

    Admin: In the immortal words of Captain Planet: YOU HAVE THE POWER
    Admin: (To quit being a bitch)

  3. #3
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is online now Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,752

    Default

    good question. my co2 laser is rf excited so it's not the same at all.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails co2-head-small.jpg  

    starbucksburn2-small.jpg  

    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cupertino, California
    Posts
    2,130

    Default

    Holy Fuck! That is tiny! It looks like a YAG!
    CLICKY!!!

    Admin: In the immortal words of Captain Planet: YOU HAVE THE POWER
    Admin: (To quit being a bitch)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    North Iowa
    Posts
    249

    Default

    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
    Last edited by Hemlock Mike; 04-30-2007 at 19:53.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Cupertino, California
    Posts
    2,130

    Default

    Try 50k ohm. Make sure the wattage is >10W
    CLICKY!!!

    Admin: In the immortal words of Captain Planet: YOU HAVE THE POWER
    Admin: (To quit being a bitch)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    North Iowa
    Posts
    249

    Default

    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

  8. #8
    swamidog's Avatar
    swamidog is online now Jr. Woodchuckington Janitor III, Esq.
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    santa fe, nm
    Posts
    1,545,752

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Laser Ben View Post
    Holy Fuck! That is tiny! It looks like a YAG!
    it is very much like a lady's purse model laser..
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails luxar.jpg  

    head-test-wood.jpg  

    suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o' shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin' for one, either. It's all part of a cosmic unconciousness.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    North Iowa
    Posts
    249

    Default

    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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    North Iowa
    Posts
    249

    Default

    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

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •