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Matching umbilical input/output for Argons?

Morgan

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Hi All,

As some might be aware I have recently been suffering from gas. Of course suffering is the wrong word!

I have been learning about the wonders of 488nm, (tell me I now know the wavelength of my single line argons without having to go check? :thinking:), and posted in the Deals and Discounts section about some PSUs that a guy has for sale. One question came up and I know someone's going to know the answer so here it is:

MarioMaster has a C/U 2214-40MLA. Pic - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1181169/STA71341.JPG

... And the PSUs have this type of connector...

14w7tcn.jpg


Are these easy enough to match up? Any sources for pinouts of both types etc?

Apologies for the mixed media of link and pic but the PSU pics are mine and the other is MMs, (hope you don't mind me posting it MarioMaster)

Any hints appreciated.

These will also be posted in the, "B,S,T", section as there are a few available. (link to come)

[edit - link to, "B,S,T", thread http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/argon-psus-f-s-50605.html]

Thanks y'all,

M
:)
 
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LSRFAQ

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That picture shows a "Jones Plug" which is a pre World War II connector type, and yes they were still in production as of last year. Sorta like the 9V battery, not going away any time soon. Jones plugs usually mean a SP 262/NEC compatable head.

As long as you remember, that, 1. Omnichrome/ALC often products need a boost voltage, a blocking diode, and have a different cathode voltage, 2. Spectra physics and NEC power supplies often need a current limit setting resistor in the head. 3. This is for current mode, light sensor wiring, well, all bets are off. 4. Some "smart" psus are out there that look at tube characteristics and may not like a given tube, these are generally the JDSU units with "personality" boards that customize the supply for a given tube I/V curve.

you can generally mix and match any of the roughly 90 -96 volt under 50 mW tubes provided they use either the 2.5 Vac or 3.2 VAC cathode transformer in a given supply. However you must remember that those voltages are the loaded cathode voltage, not the open circuit voltage. Ie a 3.2 vac cathode may sag on a 2.5 Vac psu and a 2.5 Vac cathode is going to quickly die on a 3.2 Vac psu.

Also, keep in mind that some PSUs can supply far more current then a given tube may need, ie ramming 10 amps down a 10 mW tube designed for 8 amps end of life, may not be productive.



In recent years, manufacturers compete for the remaining Ion laser sales contracts and have tended to make their systems more compatable for retrofit purposes. This does not mean your going to light up a Omni 643 whitelight with 165V tube voltage on a JDSU psu designed for a 80-90V 15 mW tube. But in some cases, mainly the, short, small blue single line tubes, you can mix and match a bit.

Some things, like ILT/LASERPHYSICS, are just NOT cross mixable.

A reminder, many of these PSUs are "Hot Chassis", which means internal parts in the head or PSU may be at or above rectified line, sloppy jury rigging may result in fires, electrocution, or exploding power supply caps. For example, you must always use a isolated voltmeter floating from earth ground when measuring.

Some times pins are added/omitted in a given head, as the customer who bought lasers in bulk might have wanted their own light feedback boards or a slightly different pinout to ensure only a "rebranded" factory laser could drop into a given unit. Sometimes a extra interlock jumper is needed.


Please do NOT read this as open season for mix and match. You have to make measurements with a voltmeter, amp clamp, and some education. You may need to check the specs on a tube on some one else's laser while working, and keep in mind the person you ask for the measurement may NOT be qualified to work on open HV circuits. Fan voltages often change between Europe, Asia, and the USA.

Generally small JDSU-Optolectra-National Laser- NEC- Older Spectra- will usually cross match if they have the same connector. More modern heads, say 1995 and later, are usually interchangable if under 50 mW , with a connector change.

We have most of the common connector pinouts at Sam's laser FAQ.

Ok time for the disclaimers...

Caveat, PSU designs and head designs are sometimes customized for a customer. Tube lifetime may suffer greatly if cathode currents are not correct. You can end up crying when you watch 300$ evaporate in milliseconds. Known to be a carcinogen to the state of California.This can be Dangerous to your Health. Your mileage may very, Void where prohibited by law, and "Do Not Pass Go, DO not collect 200$"

This largely depends on your skills to make careful deductions and good measurements. Welcome to "reverse" engineering.

Steve
 
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daguin

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If you find the pinout for that unit, please share it. I have one of them sittin on the shelf here as well. I did not find it at SAM's. I have NOT researched diligently. It has not been a high proiority issue. If I just missed it at SAM's, forgive me.

Peace,
dave
 

Morgan

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Thanks Steve, I think I need that in bigger type as being so far, 'above my head', I couldn't read it!

Man, I do like digging myself in!

I'll go have a search at Sam's. I find it real hard going over there but off I go...

(If I find anything Dave, I'll bring you back a link...)

[edit] I think the info is somewhere in this link Dave - http://members.misty.com/don/laserasc.htm#asctoc - I have to take regular breaks or my head explodes. I don't know if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick but about half way down the pinouts for the Jones plug are displayed but under a different PSU model. SP-261. I know Steve has said that it is often possible to mix and match but does that mean the pinouts be the same on the CU 2101 PSU?

There is also a pinout for the CU-2214 that MarioMaster seems to have. Not enough pins on the Jones plug but the functions seem the same, (at this point I haven't copied out the pinouts to compare), so a change looks possible. No?

M
:)

M
:)
 
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daguin

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Thanks Steve, I think I need that in bigger type as being so far, 'above my head', I couldn't read it!

Man, I do like digging myself in!

I'll go have a search at Sam's. I find it real hard going over there but off I go...

(If I find anything Dave, I'll bring you back a link...)

M
:)

Thanks. This is one of those projects that "I'm going to get back to any minute" (six months ago ;) )

Peace,
dave
 

Morgan

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You have those as well?!!! I'm shocked!

I've just dusted off one of my old man's, "I'll get back to that...", projects. He's only had his lathe 35yrs! Never been used. tsk-tsk Dad! Just getting my eye in on it...

Check the edit above for the link. I think I found the right page at least, if not the right paragraph. I will get back to that in a minute...

M
:)
 

daguin

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You have those as well?!!! I'm shocked!

I've just dusted off one of my old man's, "I'll get back to that...", projects. He's only had his lathe 35yrs! Never been used. tsk-tsk Dad! Just getting my eye in on it...

Check the edit above for the link. I think I found the right page at least, if not the right paragraph. I will get back to that in a minute...

M
:)

YES!!!!

I do not know how I missed this except that maybe I wasn't trying very hard at the time,

+1 for the research

Peace,
dave
 

Morgan

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Nice to be able to help you out for a change Dave. My pleasure.

M
:)
 

LSRFAQ

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Use the 261 pinout, mind the limit programming resistor. Or you can wait 7 days till I'm back in Akron and can look it up?. I had to take a job 275 miles from home because of the economy and most of the good stuff is back at the house. I even have a box of the new male plugs.

Steve
 

Morgan

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Use the 261 pinout, mind the limit programming resistor. Or you can wait 7 days till I'm back in Akron and can look it up?. I had to take a job 275 miles from home because of the economy and most of the good stuff is back at the house. I even have a box of the new male plugs.

Steve

That's good to know there is someone who has the necessary connectors in case anyone needs to convert. You do mean the male Jones connectors? There's another SpectraPhysics PSU at the same place, (now posted in the B,S,T Section under Argon PSUs F/S), and that has the same Jones style socket. Thanks for pointing me, er, sorry Dave, us in the right direction for the info. Clicking on a link for a manual it even seems there is a part of Uniphase only about 12miles from me! Think I'll be dropping them a line soon if they're still there...

As to the 275 miles. That sucks but you gotta go where the work is I suppose. Hopefully things will start picking up soon. I'm getting tired of just bumping along on the bottom. Got to complete my apprenticeship first though.

Thanks again Steve,

M
:)
 




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