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JDSU 25ML Argon Help






diachi

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I have done a bit of research on HeCd. Interesting how they work. Not many around but I did find one supplier with some. Don't know if I will get one though :shhh:


I like HeCds ... I miss both of mine. Should grab one if you ever find one! :D Sometimes deals come up. My first one was around ₤50 (head and PSU) - had only ~90 hours on the tube.

1690-hecd-laser-002.jpg
 
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I like HeCds ... I miss both of mine. Should grab one if you ever find one! :D Sometimes deals come up. My first one was around ₤50 (head and PSU) - had only ~90 hours on the tube.

1690-hecd-laser-002.jpg

What is the average life of HeCd ?. There is one on Ebay with about 350 hours on it. But it doesn't say if its working or not.

Even though I spent quite a bit finding an Argon in the end I have a good tube. Just needed a front mirror alignment.
 
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The life of a HeCd depends on how often it is run. Ideally several thousand hours. However, Daguin and others will tell you almost none of them work used, because they sit on a shelf for many years before being sold. Unless you have a picture from the seller of it lasing, you should assume it is dead.
 

diachi

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The life of a HeCd depends on how often it is run. Ideally several thousand hours. However, Daguin and others will tell you almost none of them work used, because they sit on a shelf for many years before being sold. Unless you have a picture from the seller of it lasing, you should assume it is dead.

Yup, often (if the tube hasn't been run in a long time) the helium leaks from the He reservoir into the tube (IIRC) and it goes high pressure, not really anything you can do at that point. Not to mention the tubes are often very fragile, so shipping can be problematic.

I got lucky with both of mine, the first one was unknown condition, low hours and cheap. It worked fine, no damage during shipping. The second one was known condition, working and arrived safely but that was from another laser guy so he knew how to package it.

If it's unknown condition but a great deal then you could try it if you don't mind risking the money.
 
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That's my understanding too, diachi. They do have a He reservoir and if they sit it will leak into the tube and that's that. Reminds me it's time to exercise my argon again.
 

diachi

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That's my understanding too, diachi. They do have a He reservoir and if they sit it will leak into the tube and that's that. Reminds me it's time to exercise my argon again.

Yup, the He reservoir is at a higher pressure than the rest of the tube. The PSU senses the tube He pressure and then turns on the He reservoir heater when the pressure is low, which releases some of the He into the tube, bringing up the pressure.

You can see the reservoir on this picture of my old Kimmon head at the top left of the tube. It's the larger glass "ampoule".

rZdIJwf.jpg
 
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Thanks for the replies. Sounds like it might be harder than finding a working Argon.

The Money I spent on Argon Tubes wasn't all that much realy. Being in Aus the Shipping costs was the major cost. In the End it was one I found in Aus that worked. :)
 
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That was a nice looking HeCd, diachi. How could you bring yourself to part with it?

Good luck, Mosc007. I hope you find a working HeCd, but after the trouble you went to for an argon, IDK.
 

diachi

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That was a nice looking HeCd, diachi. How could you bring yourself to part with it?

Good luck, Mosc007. I hope you find a working HeCd, but after the trouble you went to for an argon, IDK.


They wouldn't let me take it on the plane to Canada. ;)
 

diachi

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Lol, why not? :D

To be fair, I probably could have, but we didn't bring anything other than what we could carry really.

We had carry-on and two suit cases each IIRC. Managed to pack two guitars and a guitar amp into the suit cases, the rest was clothes and other necessities.

We didn't even have furniture for a few months, just cardboard boxes and a mattress for a sofa. :D
 

CurtisOliver

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People pay good money for cardboard furniture you know. :D I would loved to of seen you pass that laser through customs. :p
 

CurtisOliver

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:crackup: Now that's something I want to see happen. I'm visualising it right now. :D
 
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PSU ratchet strapped to my back, laser head over my shoulder? :D :crackup:

Hahahaha. That would make em run. Laser gun on you. Just blow up all the planes. You would look like a Ghost Buster.


They really got no idea how useless these things are other than science or collectors.

Carry my ML40 and power supply on a trolly with long extension lead to rob a store.
 
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