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Thread: H20-pumped Lexel 88 laser

  1. #1
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    Default H20-pumped Lexel 88 laser

    I finally got around to checking out a laser I've had sitting here for a while (2 or 3 years).

    It's an old Lexel 88 that a friend of mine bought a while back. It never worked for him and ended up sitting in my basement shop until now.

    I decided that it was about time I actually got in there and figured out what was wrong:

    [HERE is a quick video pan, if you're inclined - 41.1MB]
    Here are some pictures of the unit before I got into it:





    The inside:



    Cathode end of the tube - (notice the snapped off cathode line):


    The laser tube/magnet and reservoir:


    Brewster Stem - (I first realized there was water in the tube when I saw some junk floating in here...):


    Inside the tube/magnet


    Everything here is looking good, now all I need is a new tube!



    So my theory is that the laser was running at nominal power when water was cut off to the unit and it didn't have a chance to shut down properly thereby dying a watery death. (Tube cracked; and water ensued.) In the process of poking around initially, I snapped one of the cathode leads off, effortlessly. I'm pretty sure it should've put up more of a fight but it was corroded from the water that it had been exposed to for 3 or 4 years.

    I plan on getting a new tube and reanimating this laser eventually. I thought I'd post up some pictures for fun. Let this be a lesson, think twice before cooling a water-cooled laser with water straight from a hose with no reservoir/pump!

    -Jonathan

  2. #2
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    Jonathan,

    I have very fond memories of that Lexell! Not so many fond memories carrying the PSU unit up stairs/ladders etc... Single phase is much easier to find than 3-phase! Pat's PSU's surprised me I was expecting 140lbs and it was around 50lbs... Say hello for me to your friend, I hope he is feeling better!

    -Adam
    Support your local Janitor- not solicited .

    Laser (the acronym derived from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation) is a spectacular manifestation of this process. It is a source which emits a kind of light of unrivaled purity and intensity not found in any of the previously known sources of radiation. - Lasers & Non-Linear Optics, B.B. Laud.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by sugeek View Post
    Jonathan,

    I have very fond memories of that Lexell! Not so many fond memories carrying the PSU unit up stairs/ladders etc... Single phase is much easier to find than 3-phase! Pat's PSU's surprised me I was expecting 140lbs and it was around 50lbs... Say hello for me to your friend, I hope he is feeling better!

    -Adam
    linear passbank...not transformers...

    That thing was run without water or water failed and interlock was defeated.
    Pat B

    laserman532 on ebay

    Been there, done that, got the t-shirt & selling it in a garage sale.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Laserman532 View Post
    linear passbank...not transformers...

    That thing was run without water or water failed and interlock was defeated.
    Last time I saw it it was in a projector case, did you get the cat wezels too? You should get a hold of the 110 lexell that one is groovy too. Also be careful with that PSU make sure the buck boost is on the right voltage, and don't move the wire that needs to stay or POOF!

    -Adam
    Support your local Janitor- not solicited .

    Laser (the acronym derived from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation) is a spectacular manifestation of this process. It is a source which emits a kind of light of unrivaled purity and intensity not found in any of the previously known sources of radiation. - Lasers & Non-Linear Optics, B.B. Laud.

  5. #5
    mixedgas's Avatar
    mixedgas is offline Creaky Old Award Winning Bastard Technologist
    Infinitus Excellentia Ion Laser Dominatus
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    Default

    I have a friend that has plenty of tubes that can be made to fit that.

    PM me if you want a quote, and the price would suprise you.

    Steve
    Qui habet Christos, habet Vitam!
    I should have rented the space under my name for advertising.
    When I still could have...

  6. #6
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    I guess I'm not seeing the problem here.... Put the tube in the freezer, then fire it up.

    Didn't you see real genius??? That ice lases like crazy!!! Pop some popcorn

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