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NEC GLG-3030 glass argon laser tube, pics.

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timelablasers

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Hi all,
Just received a NEC GLG-3030 argon ion laser head in the mail that's been sitting around someone's garage neglected for years. The photo shows the condition it was in when I got it.
I stripped everything out of the head, gave it a bit of a clean and connected it to my NEC argon power supply using a different starter. After so many years, second click and it fired beautifully. It looks absolutely amazing when it's running.
Here's one photo so far. Will post more soon of the tube running.
1zr2j53.jpg
 
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T

Things

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Did you get this one from Dave @ LSP? I remember him mentioning he had one of these a while ago.
 
T

timelablasers

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Re: Nec glg-3030

No....I followed up an old contact from ages ago.
What's LSP?
How's your power supply going anyway, things?
Cheers.
 
T

Things

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Ah OK :)

LSP = lasershowparts. Based in Melbourne, so thought it may have come from them.

I received the replacement MOSFET's the other day, just been too busy to try wire it up.

I had a triac explode in my face yesterday, not looking forward to a MOSFET doing the same if it's not the only problem with the PSU :(

Cheers,
Dan
 
T

timelablasers

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Don't forget to replace that resistor.
I wonder if you could use a variac to slowly wind up the voltage.
I hope it works great for you.
Let me know....
 
Experimentonomen

Experimentonomen

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Nice score Rob! When Ben see this hes gonna have flashbacks from the days when he had a GLG-3030.
 
Event_Horizon

Event_Horizon

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Very nice little laser head you scored there! What's the output power? Multiline?
 
aryntha

aryntha

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Wow Rob, yes PLEASE post a picture of that running...

Is that one of those "bellows/accordion" mirrors on the OC side? Interesting, I've seen those in nonfunctional very old HeNe's, for "ease of adjustment" of the mirrors.
 
T

timelablasers

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Re: Nec glg-3030

aryntha said:
Wow Rob, yes PLEASE post a picture of that running...

Is that one of those "bellows/accordion" mirrors on the OC side? Interesting, I've seen those in nonfunctional very old HeNe's, for "ease of adjustment" of the mirrors.
Click to expand...

Hey there!
Pics are coming as soon as I get a moment. I'm going to have to be quick with the camera as I don't want to run the tube too long without the fan.
Those 'bellows' things, I think, are to block out the room light between the tube, mirror and light detector. Maybe I'm wrong on that.
Don't you just love the thin bit of glass tube that's been coiled that joins to two ends? Real art! I wonder what that thin tube does.
I love the glow in these tubes when they fire. It's like the Aurora Borealis :)
 
aryntha

aryntha

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Re: Nec glg-3030

Rob, I'm guessing that little glass tube has a similar function as the "gas return hole" seen in the Uniphase "ceramic" type tubes?

cutube3.gif


... Just a guess.
 
HIMNL9

HIMNL9

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Re: Nec glg-3030

@Aryntha: you're right ..... the "coil" part of the tube is for make the path more long, so there's no risk that any arc shoot in the return gas path and blow it up ;)
 
T

timelablasers

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Re: Nec glg-3030

OK, here we go. Some photos of the GLG-3030 running....
Here's the tube with all the old guts stripped out, cleaned up somewhat in preparation for a new housing.
2v116xd.jpg


Tube warming up with filament ablaze
2uhsuf9.jpg


And here it is.....
2rfgga0.jpg



Love to hear what you think.....
 
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diachi

diachi

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Re: Nec glg-3030 glass argon, pics.

Stunning! Always wanted to see one of them running in person. Also, as HIMNL9 said, that's exactly what it's for. If it's too short the arc will go down the return bore because electricity will always take the path of least resistance. If it does go down the return bore the laser is most likely dead afterwards. Although I have seen them survive.
 
Cyparagon

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Re: Nec glg-3030 glass argon, pics.

Is the OC on the cathode? Or is that just HR leakage?
 
E

ElektroFreak

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Re: Nec glg-3030 glass argon, pics.

I was going with HR leakage.. but now that I look more closely, it might be the OC..

What a beautiful little tube! I love my JDSU, but it would be even more awesome if the discharge was visible.
 
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