Spectra-Physics PSU

[ION Flier]

Greetings all, I'm new here and have a question about the laser head pinout difference on 2 Spectra-Physics PSU's I have.
One is the SP-163A (not sure exactly which flavor it is, no data plate) and the other is the SP-263C02.

Both will be used with the 163-A1202 heads (got 2 of em).

I have the pinouts for the remote interfaces on both so that is not a problem. My concern is are the heads directly compatable with the PSU's. Sucking beryllium dust from a boom is something i would rather not do if you know what I mean.

Any help would be greatly be appreciated.

[The_Doctor]

I was hoping I might have a clue, but sadly not so I'll try to avoid a silly answer... I have an SP-161 and I've seen the others in the SP family mentioned on alt.lasers enough to know not to make guesses (some of them are brutes). In one sense the task might be easy, you could look inside and see where wires go and solve most of the problems that way as the basic idea is simple, but the currents are fairly critical, and that's where I agree, guessing with the stakes being a lungful of beryllia won't do.

One guy who posts here as 'mixedgas' is bound to know, I'd say with 100% certainty. If he doesn't notice this, you could pm him, or post on alt.lasers, where he will likely see it.

[buffo]

I'm familiar with the spectra-physics 261 series PSU's... Does yours have a 15-pin jones plug for the laser head (rectangular plug with three rows of 5 pins each)? If so, I've got the pinout for that plug.

Not sure about the 163 series PSU... Is that one of the newer, smaller PSU's? (I have one of those, but I thought the model number was different... I need to check when I get home.)

Can you post some general pictures of the PSU's and at least one picture that shows the head connector? That would help.

Adam

[ION Flier]

Not sure about the 163 series PSU... Is that one of the newer, smaller PSU's? (I have one of those, but I thought the model number was different... I need to check when I get home.)

Can you post some general pictures of the PSU's and at least one picture that shows the head connector? That would help.

Adam

The 263 series have the round AMP style connectors and I will post pics of both PSU's this afternoon when I get back from work.
The reason for the post is that there is a slight difference in the pinout between the two which the pics will show.

[mixedgas]

I have them for the big 15 pin, If you give me model numbers and serials I can probably bug SP for them, the "university" part of my title gets results sometimes that hobbyists dont get for liability reasons. Also there used to be a web site in europe at LASOS that gives you the lasos equivalent pinouts.
SP tends to put small programming resistors in teh heads to set power max levels and fan speeds. If I dont help you within a week and a half of posting, ($#@!^ memorial day holiday) try the folks at National Laser in Salt Lake city, they make SP clones. I just tried the lasos web site, they killed the page that had the pinout lookups. These days there are only 2-3 plants making tubes and rebranding them for the other sellers, so its fairly easy to crack the codes. If you dont hear from me soon, find me and remind me, I'm fairly forgetful in my old age. Post the data and I'll try

Steve Roberts

[mixedgas]

In the faq at Sam's we already had the SP263C remote control, so see if this lines up with the remote jack on your 263 ---- Steve

1 Reference (Return) Sensitivity is approximately 5 mW/V in
2 Reference Input 0-3 V Power Mode or 5 A/V in Current Mode.
3 Reference 3 V Supply Use 100 ohm pot or external source.)
For pot, pin 1 is CCW end.)

4 Cable shield/System Ground
5-9 Not used
10 Regulation Status (Output) - A logic 0 when referenced to pin
1indicates the laser is regulated. A logic 1 indicates it
is out of regulation. This open collector signal can drive
a regulation indicator, -20 mA max.

11 +15 VDC - Regulated voltage for user use, 100 mA max.

12 Interlock Status (Output) - A logic 0 when referenced to pin 1
indicates to pin 1 indicates the interlock loop is closed
and emission is imminent. A logic 1 indicates the interlock
loop is open. This open collector signal can drive an
emission indicator, -20 mA max.

13-14 Not used

15 Standby Status (Output) - A logic 1 when referenced to pin 1
indicates the laser is in Standby mode and operates at
minimum plasma tube current. A logic 0 indicates the laser
in Run mode. This open collector signal can drive an status
indicator, -20 mA max.

16 Lasing Status (Output) - A logic 0 when referenced to pin 1
indicates the laser is drawing current. This open collector
signal can drive a status indicator, -20 mA max.

17-18 Not used

19 +15 VDC - Regulated voltage for user use, 100 mA max.
20 -15 VDC - Regulated voltage for user use, 100 mA max.
21 +/-15 V Return

22-25 Not used

26 Current Monitor (Source) - 0.1 A/V from low impedance floating
buffer, may be connected to voltmeter (differential) of 1K
ohm or higher input impedance. To keep noise pickup low,
do not ground either pin.

27 Current Monitor (Return) - Reference for pin 26.

28 Not used

29 Power Monitor (Source) - 0.2 V/mW from low impedance floating
buffer, may be connected to voltmeter (differential) of 1K
ohm or higher input impedance. To keep noise pickup low, do
not ground either pin.

30 Power Monitor (Return) - Reference for pin 29.

31-33 Not used

34 Standby (Source) - Switch to select Standby or Run. Shorted
for Standby, open for Run. Standby mode is 4 A of plasma
tube current. System returns to normal power/current
setting within 20 ms of leaving Standby mode.

35 Standby (Return) - Reference for pin 34.

36 Interlock (Source) - Switch to turn laser on and off. Open
for laser Off, shorted for laser On. Opening and shorting
these pins forces a ~60 second delay before lasing comes
back on.

37 Interlock (Return) - Reference for pin 36.

[mixedgas]

Oh where are you located? I may be able to steer you to somebody close that can open up your head and trace them with ye olde ohmeter if there is a doubt.

Steve

[ION Flier]

Mixed, thanks for the info, I'm located in Reno,Nv. I have the remote pinouts for both PSU's (big tnx to sam's ) AND I have the actual remote for the 263C . The pin usage for both laser head connectors differ slightly, below are pics.

The top is the SP263A, ubfortunately there is no serial data plate (looks like one was never installed) and the bottom pic is the SP263c02 S/N B774266W-0F.

[Coo-mo-d]

I love how everyone is on the forums at work when and where they are supposed to be doing work! I need to find myself a job like that

[ION Flier]

I love how everyone is on the forums at work when and where they are supposed to be doing work! I need to find myself a job like that

Do I detect a hint of jealousy?!?

Unfortunately my occupation affords little time to play on the net even though there is access...


Back to subject.

Steve, I have traced the wiring on the laser head (163-a1202), so I know which wire goes goes to which pin. Now all I need is to put em in the right spot.
There is a difference on the PSU's, the 110v pins on the head harness are pins 16 (white) and 20 (white/blue). The 263A has the 110v there as cooling fan spun up when connected to the head, but the 263C is missing pin 16 on the connector hence no live test on this PSU.

Boy I do love a challenge!