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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

JDSU 25ML Argon Help

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Most DMMs were not made to endure the HV necessary to start and run a He-Ne laser. Or, any gas laser for that matter. You'd be better off getting a HV probe meter as they are designed to do this measurement.
 





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Hehe. I wasn't trying to read the igniter pulse. Just the anode voltage. Not thinking.

I do have a EHT probe for the igniter voltage.
 
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I removed this tube from the case to test another tube.

I know why this tube was "cooked"

The cooling fins on the tube are completely blocked with dust etc. It had almost no air flow.
 

diachi

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I removed this tube from the case to test another tube.

I know why this tube was "cooked"

The cooling fins on the tube are completely blocked with dust etc. It had almost no air flow.


Excessive heat definitely doesn't do them any good ... although they do have a thermostat switch on the tubes which should break the interlock and turn the laser off if it overheats.
 
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If it ran long enough to trip the over temp I would have found out. This tube was not treated very well.
 
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I am very hopefull this time. I have wasted enough money buying crap on Ebay. Shipping was double the cost of the tubes from the US. Stuffed tubes are about $70. I have 3 now.

Anyway, I have found a Data Instrumentation repairer in Australia that has two ML40's with Power Supplies. They have been removed from DNA Sequencers.

It took him a few weeks to check them as I requested. He is sending me an ML40 + Power Supply that has only 2000 Hours on it. He put it back into the DNA Sequencer to test it. No problem reaching full output. And for only $400 AUD. About $300 US.

The other ML40 has 6000 Hours on it. But supposedly still works.

Hopefully, soon I will be the proud owner of an ML40 in very good condition.
 

diachi

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I am very hopefull this time. I have wasted enough money buying crap on Ebay. Shipping was double the cost of the tubes from the US. Stuffed tubes are about $70. I have 3 now.

Anyway, I have found a Data Instrumentation repairer in Australia that has two ML40's with Power Supplies. They have been removed from DNA Sequencers.

It took him a few weeks to check them as I requested. He is sending me an ML40 + Power Supply that has only 2000 Hours on it. He put it back into the DNA Sequencer to test it. No problem reaching full output. And for only $400 AUD. About $300 US.

The other ML40 has 6000 Hours on it. But supposedly still works.

Hopefully, soon I will be the proud owner of an ML40 in very good condition.

That's great! :D Good job finding those.

Those tubes can quite happily do over 10,000 hours if treated well.
 
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Congratulations, Mosc007. I know how hard you have been trying to get a working argon, so a 40 mW multi-line will be very nice to have. I am very happy for you. :D
 

diachi

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Congratulations, Mosc007. I know how hard you have been trying to get a working argon, so a 40 mW multi-line will be very nice to have. I am very happy for you. :D

The 40MLs can do quite a bit more than 40mW when healthy too. :beer:
 
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Thanks. I will update the post when I receive it. I can check what the anode current is at it's rated 40mw output. That will tell me how good it is. Also, How much it can pump out at max current :)
 
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Oh No,

Why are their so many diss honest people in the world. This looked like a reputable company. I even spoke to him on the phone.

Data Instrumentation

Parcel arrived today.

No power supply.
Head is showing over 10,000 Hours on the meter.

The head looks like it's been thru a war zone. I havnt tested it yet but I say it's very unlikely it works.

I sent an Email. No reply. I tried to phone him again. Phone diss connected. This bloke must have been ready to close shop when I bought it.

I have lodged a complaint with the Department of Fair Trading in Australia but I doubt anything can be done. Looks like he has done a runner. Maybe with other customers money too.
 
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OMG, Mosc007! I can't believe the number of crooks you have dealt with in the search for a working argon. I feel so badly for you my friend. I guess you can't even have him arrested as this would fall under the purview of the civil law. You'd have to sue him and then probably wouldn't get anything for your efforts. DAMN!!!
 
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I expect this sort of thing on Ebay, But at least we have protection with PayPal. The non working ones on Ebay were quite cheap, So I don't mind. Just expensive shipping.

This one is a real bummer. The most expensive one to date. Looked like a legit supplier. I don't expect anything will happen. It's just not worth the effort.

I need to learn. When a supplier wants a Bank Transfer, dont do it. Their is no protection at all. I asked him could I pay with credit card over the phone. He said No. That should have given me a warning sign. Even paying with a credit card I would have had some protection.

I might just give it a rest for a while. Seems a very slim chance I will get lucky and find a working one.
 
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An update.

The owner of the business has contacted me. He is going to send the Power Supply. Which I have already paid for including enough postage to send it.

He still denies about the Hour Meter though. Although now he is saying half way. He started off saying 2000 Hours.


He still claims it works well. I will wait and see. It doesn't look in good condition though.
 
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Any time a seller asks for you to pay in a way that circumvents all buyer protections, run... don't walk away. I meant to ask you last night if you had a credit card or could pay with PP. Since you do and he didn't want either of them, it is a red flag that this seller is dishonest. I wish you luck, my friend, but don't hold out much hope. :(
 
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The Saga Continues.

He sent the power supply as said.

The Tube does ignite and has a Plasma. However, It does not lase. It just has a very low pinkish blue output which is not collimated. The Spot gets larger the further away it goes. I have included a pic if anyone has any idea's.

At 1 meter the spot is about 40mm in diameter. The output is very low. The Photo makes it look higher. It's also more pink than the photo shows.

The brightness of the spot does increase and decrease with Tube current. I tested from 4 Amps up to 10 Amps.
 

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