Beckman, Uniphase (2212) Argon Ion

I just received my....Beckman 488 LIF NM Laser module for P/ACE 5500 system

This is an Argon Ion laser for some medical device I took a chance on hoping that I would get a nice laser.

So far nothing, but hope springs eternal!....

The Unit itself powers up and the fan begins blowing full force. The Argon power supply light comes on but not the "interlock" light.
The PSU is a Cyonics Uniphase model 2112A 15A
The Tube says doesn't say much beyond what is in the pictures. I think I see a very faint glow through the ends, but its hard to tell. I think this may mean COOKED!
Here are some picture and hopefully someone can perhaps point me in the right direction. I am not totally sure how and where to test that its getting what It should be from the PSU. Everything looks to be in good condition, but that doesn't always mean much.

It also had some kind of 'perhaps' fiber connection on the front end. If anything hopefully this is good for something:undecided:

Okay...here we go.
Thanks in advance.:beer:

The Unit as a Whole...

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All Opened up...
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The Power Supply
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The Interlock is NOT lit up, the power is...
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Here is the "fiber" head I am removing to see the front mirror and perhaps tell if it was lasing....not as of yet.
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So that's it for now...I will post more photo's if anyone is interested and even perhaps if I get it lasing!!!

Quick question just out of not know other wise.....If I leave it on for a bit,(if its not been on for a while) might it begin lasing after getting through the built up pressure?....again I may not know what i'm talking about...
thanks again all
Carl

Edit:....I found this quote from a thread and was wondering if this might have something to do with it not firing....I 'think' I saw the interlock light up before I took some things apart.

"It's an interlock. It's a requirement for Class IIIb and IV laser systems. The plug that comes with it is a shorting plug to override the interlock. It is designed to be used as a remote shutoff for a predetermined event. Most of the time a laser interlock is wired to the case and to an entry door. Case interlocks prevent laser operation if the case or cabinet of the laser is opened. A door interlock shuts down the laser if the door to a lab is opened to protect anyone entering who might not be aware or protected."
http://laserpointerforums.com/f45/do-you-know-what-remote-connector-key-49983.html

Double Edit!!!!!!!!!

LOL...okay...so I figured out the Interlock...I had unpluged some ribbon cable going from the face plate of the unit to the PSU....after re-connecting the Interlock light came back on.
I know have a 'somewhat' Dim but visible light.
I'll see if I can get a decent photo of it....

TRIPLE EDIT!!!!!!

I HAVE AN ARGON>>>ION>>>>LASER!!!!!

Re: Beckman 488nm

You need an interface to control the output power of the laser. The dim light you see is because the laser runs at idle.

Re: Beckman 488nm

Silvershot said:

You need an interface to control the output power of the laser. The dim light you see is because the laser runs at idle.

Click to expand...

That seems easy enough....how might I come by one of these 'Interface'.....
Would this one work for me?
http://www.mi-lasers.com/other-lasers-argon-lasers-c-4_25/jds-uniphase-remote-interface-controller-p-121

If not or even so...is there a cheaper way to just get it to lase at full power without the interface?

Also....thanks for such a quick and easy answer...always makes it easier to get around problems(please remember I was a English Lit major, not engineering)

Edit...one more question...even running at idle, could it not hurt to run it for at least 1/2 hour or so...I think I saw Dave say something to that effect.

Re: Beckman 488nm

Silvershot said:

You need an interface to control the output power of the laser. The dim light you see is because the laser runs at idle.

Click to expand...

The laser doesn't run at all if there is no interlock light. If the interlock is broken then the tube won't light.

There is probably an interlock switch somewhere on the case of the machine, tape it down and hopefully your interlock light should come on. Then try powering it up.

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/kccucp1.pdf this circuit is a controller for the PSU. You don't need ALL of it for the PSU to run, all you really need is for pins 1 and 3 to be shorted, although that won't allow you any control over tube current.

What is the model number on the head?

Re: Beckman 488nm

532 with Envy said:

That seems easy enough....how might I come by one of these 'Interface'.....
Would this one work for me?
http://www.mi-lasers.com/other-lasers-argon-lasers-c-4_25/jds-uniphase-remote-interface-controller-p-121

If not or even so...is there a cheaper way to just get it to lase at full power without the interface?

Also....thanks for such a quick and easy answer...always makes it easier to get around problems(please remember I was a English Lit major, not engineering)

Click to expand...

You can go for that controller if you want, or you can build the one I linked to in my last post, that would be cheaper. But if you don't mind splashing out and you want a good controller then go for the real thing!

Mind not to run your tube above 8A for too long, it can handle it for short periods of time, but it will increase the speed at which the tube degrades and as such will dramatically shorten the tubes life.

Re: Beckman 488nm

diachi said:

You can go for that controller if you want, or you can build the one I linked to in my last post, that would be cheaper. But if you don't mind splashing out and you want a good controller then go for the real thing!

Mind not to run your tube above 8A for too long, it can handle it for short periods of time, but it will increase the speed at which the tube degrades and as such will dramatically shorten the tubes life.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link for the controller....unfortunately it might as well be Greek with my background:shhh:

There is a multi pin ribbon connection coming out of the PSU that 'looks' like it might be used with the JDS UNIPHASE REMOTE INTERFACE CONTROLLER. My guess would be yes, as the PSU is Uniphase.

As far as running it over 8A i'm not sure what I could be doing wrong. I am plugging in the entire unit, the fan comes on and the laser comes to idle. It's going straight off the wall so I would think that I should be ok?
I would like to give it a warm-up if possible(as what Dave said in another post...)but still don't want to look over just in time to see it set on fire!:eg:


Edit....okay so I turned it on for a bit and then it turned itself off....I think....the interlock light is still on but no idle light now....i'll try in a bit, but perhaps it has some switch off from idle?

Re: Beckman 488nm

Okay...so a bit of a double post...

From my last edit...I let it sit for a bit, turned it on and it went to Idle again, and then seemed to turn off lasing.....all the lights are still on, but no Idle.

It does seem to want to lase and I'm hoping that it's just some feature!.....I really want a working Argon laser!

Any ideas?

Re: Beckman 488nm

Safety feature turning it off....Get a damn controller and kill birds with that thing

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thank you Milkman! I just wanted to be sure before i droped the moola

Damm...44 post and you graced my thread!......I shall kill a thousand pigeons with my Argon in your Honor!

I can't wait....This thing was a real crap shoot. "as is" like usual with Feebay, but i'v had pretty good luck as of yet.
I guess i'll save my pennies for the controller and really start having some fun!

Re: Beckman 488nm

woo woo, sorry i know almost nothing in this field, i was just speculating. i made a connection to past experiences with hard-drives and other various electrical equipment turning off on me. 99 percent of the time it was a safety feature if it was connected to some type of pcb/computer.
Field of gas lasers that is

Re: Beckman 488nm

I hope that is all it is....(almost seems so, how it comes to idle after a hour power down and then shuts off again)

The laser is just a part of a much larger unit, so perhaps without the controller it is just shutting down after a short time in idle.

We'll see if anyone else has something to say, I think that the controller is a good buy...lucky I got the laser and PSU for pretty cheap

Re: Beckman 488nm

What you could do t further down the reasoning, would be to time when the shutdown happens, if it is very consistent, i'd be even more convinced.

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thats good linear thinking...i'll give it a try!:beer:

Re: Beckman 488nm

IDK but you could pull the tube out and hack the PS to supply the voltage and current to fire it up to full power.

My 0.02

Re: Beckman 488nm

Coherent Light said:

IDK but you could pull the tube out and hack the PS to supply the voltage and current to fire it up to full power.

My 0.02

Click to expand...

If that is what is going on with the idle and turning off(more than likely)

I'll have to do some reading I guess, still a stretch for me with my skill in electronics. I may just save my pennies and get the controller from Meridith Instruments.

Re: Beckman 488nm

Just take the PSU, head, and fan out of the casing and build your own controller. It's really easy and requires only a connector, pot, resistor, and switch.