Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: ALC60 Argon PSU - help required Please

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    South Lincs, UK
    Posts
    2,625

    Default ALC60 Argon PSU - help required Please

    Hi.

    Have just purchased an old ALC60 Argon head with what I thought was going to be a semi working PSU. Turns out the PSU is virtually a mass of wires and garb. I have a fairish understanding of electronics & HV electrical stuff but this made me eyes pop out when I opened the package. Yes it was Ebay....... Chaps been fairly good so far with replying to emails but I think maybe I could do with some further help from you guy's
    The seller did say the PSU came with no box but I didn't think he mean't literally!
    Anyway, can anyone take a look please at the photo's below and suggest what might be going on here and any schematics that possibly resemble what I may have. If I had a schematic then I would be laughing as I could easily work from that.
    The laser head looks to be in good fettle, I will take pic's of that if anyone is interested, but the PSU, as I am sure you will agree, has seen better days.

    Here is a bit of blurb the chap sent me via email about the PSU and supposedly 'how to get it put back together and to get it going'

    ........

    From Memory so you'll have to bear with me,

    So I shall try and remember........

    Mains in
    connector block

    mains to timer relay
    timer relay to either the cathode or anode feed ! (memory says the Anode)

    Large cap and power resistor (cant remember where they came into it but look
    carefully ar the wiring to decipher)

    Laser Cathodes
    mains to first transformer (Step-down)
    Step-down to secondary transformer
    two brown leads to cathodes on Head

    Laser Anode
    Mains to rectifier
    feed through relays and ballast resistor (parallel elements from Fan
    heater), Relays control the resistance switching from low to high power
    (This is where the 12v supply comes in)
    I had a 200 meter umbilical to control the Argon, so had low voltage 12v
    relays controlling the larger 240v relays.

    HT, simple circuit generating voltage for initial start-up.

    there will be a fair bit of tat wiring in there that I used for interlocks,
    mains feeds ect,

    The main fan on the laser head is 115v this is fed after the step-down
    transformer feeding the anode transformer.

    the ballast resistors for anode was originally housed in a separate box
    (attached to top of laser main box) forced cooled by 2 large fans, I then
    cutout and sunk into the main box with the fans helping to cool the inner of
    the PSU,

    ..................

    Is anything making sense there?

    Photo's below.

    Thanks
    Jim

    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0682.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0683.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0684.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0685.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0686.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0687.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0688.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0689.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0690.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0691.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0692.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0693.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0694.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0695.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0696.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0697.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0698.JPG
    http://mysite.orange.co.uk/smogthemog/ARGON/IMG_0699.JPG
    --------------------
    My Brain urt's!

    Continuously in Awe! of (H)Al, the Photonlexicon Font of Complete Knowledge - The (H)Al'PL Database of complete puss that no one needs to know or ever trusts as he ain't really got a Scooby doo about now't!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    2,342

    Default >:O

    You're probably better off starting over with the parts he gave you.. it looks like there is a filament transformer and ballast/current transformer for the tube. Not sure what he used to generate HV, probably a diode ladder. That is not a power supply, it is parts of a home-made jumble; especially if he cannot provide his schematic.

    Have a look at sam's laser faq; there is a simple argon psu diagram using a variac, filament transformer, etc. That should be a decent start to re-do this mess.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Southampton, UK
    Posts
    458

    Default

    This looks like a thrown-together version of the Power Supply that David Green used to supply with his Lasertech systems - perhaps someone got hold of the schematic circuit and used whatever parts they could find. The Lasertech system used a large custom-made mains transformer that could only be obtained from David; that doesn't look like it was used here.
    The high-voltage ignitor circuit is built into the ALC 60 head itself and is not part of the PSU.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    4,382

    Default

    You can build an igniter from a bug zapper transformer. I know 'cause its what I use for my lasos tube..

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    262

    Default ALC

    Hello,

    I used to have an ALC60x, I have the plans for the PSU.

    If you need them give me a shout and ill send them over to you.

    Good fun but quite dangerous! (If you dont know what your doing)

    Good luck!
    Regards,

    Aidan

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    South Lincs, UK
    Posts
    2,625

    Default

    That would be good of you Aiden if you would be so kind to send them over.
    Thanks

    Jim

    smogthemog att gmail dott com
    --------------------
    My Brain urt's!

    Continuously in Awe! of (H)Al, the Photonlexicon Font of Complete Knowledge - The (H)Al'PL Database of complete puss that no one needs to know or ever trusts as he ain't really got a Scooby doo about now't!

Posting Permissions

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