Desk Top HeNe Laser Lamp! SCHWEET! - Build Tips

Thanks for info and advice, the cold cathod tubes do look cool, i will do some thinking. I have already spent some money on lasers recently so perhaps should hold back on this one for abit. The lamp in this thread is amasing tho, good work!!

:thanks:

Take a look at this (cheaper) tiny little lamp:
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/fs-glow-marble-mini-light-project-parts-44252.html

So how long do these things last if you leave them on? I've got a tube sitting here that'd be fun to turn into a lamp, but it's old and I'd be sad if it only lasted a month or two.

I read that the operating lifetime of a typical HeNe laser tube is greater than 15000 hours when used within its specified ratings. (operating current, proper polarity)

I would like to know more information on this quesiton too!

:anyone:

Hey Jay! Very cool indeed! Now, if this one becomes a "kit" I'll just have to get one going for one of my HeNe's ! -Glenn

my math isn't great but at 8 hours a day you should get about 5 years

Nice! I sure hope that's true! It will never burn out then...

Because I would never run it anywhere near that much.



Glenn, the only thing about making a kit with the pre-cut acrylic pieces, is that it seems that there are lots of different size tubes, as well as mounting hardware.

But it's not a difficult project! You just have to take some measurements, and Tap Plastics can cut the pieces to your exact specifications!

I just fired up my HeNe today for the first time. I'd love to try your lamp mod, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find the time. Looks very nice.

When figuring the "lifetime" of a HeNe you not only can expect the 15K hours, but it doesn't "burn out" at the end of those hours. That estimate is the "working" lifetime. As the tube ages it VERY s l o w l y begins to lose output.

Most of the tubes we get as used (and then use them for another lifetime) were pulled from equipment AFTER the rated life was "used." When the HeNe's output drops below the OEM required output in the machine, they pull them, replace them, and sell the pulled unit to a surplus/salvage Co. or just give them away to employees.

This is one of the main reasons why most of the tubes we get on eBay, (etc.) put out well below their "rated" output.

So, if after five years, your lamp loses a MW or two AT THE BEAM, will your lamp be trash? Nope. You will still see the spot AND the plasma will still be just as bright. Even after the gas mixture gets so depleted it will no longer lase (no "spot/beam"), the plasma will still be going strong. The "hue" of the plasma will shift toward oxygen, but it will still glow brightly.

Try THAT with a diode LOL!

Burn baby burn

Peace,
dave

Interesting stuff Dave...

Thanks for sharing that!

Bump for a great project- beautiful!!!

PUT a WTB on the For sale section-

-And they come up on FeeBay all the time-- sometimes a bargain sometimes not-- beware of those sold as-is -no testing done-as that is often not the truth- they know that they are spent and you get stuck with a 'parts' tube.

If you wonder about one there just put a link for it on LPF( Gas laser section) with a notation that you are bidding on it and not only will you get the opinion of our gas laser experts but we will not bid against you( well --most of us won't) Help like this is priceless but don't let that stop anybody from making a donation to keep our great forum up and running!!

Meridith Instruments has small ones all the time(eeKbay) and they are a good Co. Dave sometimes lets one go and you can be sure that it works- I have some good ones That I SHOULD sell but I keep putting it off. The little ones from old gas bar code scanners make swell lamps and can be gotten for around 25-40$ with a PS- but you will need a PS for the PS ( cheap wallwarts often work tho)- so I try to buy gas lasers that have PSs that work from 110vac--for a complete education on HeNes- go to Sam's Laser FAQ- tons of info at your fingertips- if you should happen to end up with a tube and no PS at Sam's you can find the requirements and how to even build your own PS. Lots of help here but it is expected that everyone tries to do thier own research as best as they can.

WE have a Gas Laser Group here too. Join it !! Everybody should own at least one gas laser.

Lase On bro!!


hk

Oops.

that things amazing! very impressive!

Thanks!

Just following Dave's lead...

I saw a picture of his, and wanted something similar!