Powering a 12v HeNe PSU? Update: Adapter built

Ok this is probably a stupid question but I don't wanna mess things up.

First of all I blame daguin for this thread because after seeing those amazing beam shots in his hand held thread I got the "damn I need erm want one of those" itch.



I may be able to pick up a green HeNe with PSU for a decent price but I'm not sure if it's 12v or 110. if it is 12v what do I need to power it with? I've looked at several different threads and some people have said you can use a 12v wall wart and others say you can't/shouldn't? Maybe I'll get lucky and the seller will say it's 110v so this whole thread becomes moot.


Thanks!

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Post a photo of the "brick" especially any labels and we'll be able to help you out

Thats if you get it of course!

if its 12 volts you need a regulated supply of 2A or so at 12V if its a 12v model. For 110V, a line cord and 1A fuse inline will run it.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Thanks for the info. I emailed the seller asking if it was 12v or 110. I think I'll get it either way as long as they confirm it's in working order because correct me if I'm wrong 100 bucks for the tube and PSU shipped seems like a pretty good deal.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

For a working Green HeNe and a PSU, that is a great deal :beer:

Peace,
dave

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

I got a reply from the seller saying it is in good working order and uses a 12v PSU. The one thing I'm not sure about how to do since I've never has a laser like this is they also said the TTL line from the PSU needs to be grounded to turn he laser on. I think I'm going to buy it but I need to double check my finances first.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

In that case you connect the TTL lead to ground to turn the laser on.

If the TTL Line has 2 wires (what I call a seperate TTL), short them together

If the TTL has only one wire (common ground TTL), short the TTL wire to your ground (12V negative) connection.

Whatever you do, dont connect the +TTL line to +12v, you will probably end up killing the brick.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Well I snagged it last night. It should arrive the middle of next week since the seller isn't too far from here.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Thanks for the tips it was very helpful i appreciate it

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Ok. My HeNe greenie arrived today. My camera's charging so I can't take a pic until later but the connector is the same 4 pin connector that you plug into a computer mother board. Looking at the back of the connector where the wires come out with the release tab on the top like this
.
: :

Top left: yellow TTL wire
Top right: empty
Bottom left: black ground
Bottom right: +12VDC

Here's the specs from the label:

Coherent 31-2801-000

input: 12 VDC Wmax: 28 HZ: N/A
Output KVDC: 2.50-3.10 mA: 6.5

Other than a few scuffs on the plastics the PSU is in nearly perfect condition. The laser tube is in a black metal tube but there isn't a scratch or ding on it and it looks like it was very well cared for. Pics of both will be forthcoming in an hour or so once my cam's charged.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

and the $1B question: does it lase?

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

vk2fro said:

and the $1B question: does it lase?

Click to expand...

Dunno. According to the seller it does. I don't have a 12v source yet to power the PSU

I'm not sure if I can take 8 or 10 NiMHs and power it that way or if I need to wait until I can get a 1-1.5A 12v brick and wire the right connector onto it.

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Well I couldn't resist putting 8 AAs in a holder and trying to power it. I got a real nice green dot but the PSU made a nasty noise so I only ran it about 4 or 5 seconds total as not to damage it. At least I know it survived the trip here. I was looking at getting a 1A 12v brick from monoprice when I order some cables this weekend and a P4 12v motherboard power extension cable from newegg. My thought was to lop off the barrel end of the 12v brick and the male end of the extension cable then wire it so the corresponding pins so the 12v goes to 12v and TTL and ground go to ground. That would give me a 1A 12v regulated power supply with a female 4 pin connector at the end that the male plug from the PSU would attach to.

This is the power brick I was looking at. It puts out 12w max which is under the 28w max of the PSU.

For only $2.68 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Power Adapter for Security Camera - 12V 1A | Camera Power Adapters

If that won't work any suggestions from either monoprice or newegg that won't break the bank would be appreciated.

Now for those pics I promised earlier. I don't like posting serial numbers of anything online so I blacked them out.


2010-12-03_09-30-30pm by ltkernelpanic, on Flickr


2010-12-03_09-32-49pm by ltkernelpanic, on Flickr


2010-12-03_09-34-54pm by ltkernelpanic, on Flickr


2010-12-03_09-36-56pm by ltkernelpanic, on Flickr


2010-12-03_09-31-06pm by ltkernelpanic, on Flickr

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

You would be wiser choosing a 2A psu, and one thats regulated. Dont ruin that nice GreeNe with a shitty power supply. Glad you got it to lase though!

by the way, that plug exists on my icom 7000, but its a six pin job, funny really, so much expensive toys have wierdo plugs (my icom cost me $1900)

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

You can get that plug almost for free, you know ?

Look at your PC PSU .....

And for the "male" one, a broken motherboard and a little bit of thermoretraible tube can solve the problem, if you don't find any AMP reseller


EDIT: btw, does they sell "extension cables" for PC PSUs ? ..... here, if you want something similar, the only way for have it is DIY ..... (no newegg here )

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

Those ARE regulated, but yes, a 2A would be better. What current does it draw on the wart you have now? How much does the voltage sag?

Re: Powering a 12v HeNe PSU?

I wasn't powering it off a wall wart when I snapped that quick pic. It was 7 1.2v AA NiMH and a 3.7v LiIon that had about a 4v charge in it. It put out about 13v total. Not sure how many amps. Not enough since it was flickering a bit which is why I only let it run for a few seconds a couple times to get that pic.

HIMNL9-

I thought about using the PSU from a machine that just bit the dust but it lacks the right connector and I'd like something a bit less ghetto. Unfortunately the only old mobos I have around that I'd be willing to sacrifice are AMD and lack the right connector. I don't mind spending a whole 3 bucks on an extension cable to get the right connector.


Cyaragon-

I assume you meant 2A instead of 2W? I was looking for a 12v 2A brick but they seem hard to find. I've found quite a few 1.5A ones but no 2A. I may just break down and get an adjustable bench PSU if I can find a decent one for under $100.


edit: This one doesn't look too bad if I can't find a normal brick. I'd still like something that's small that I can just plug in. a bench supply would be great for testing new builds though.

Amazon.com: Tekpower HY1803D Variable DC Power Supply, 0-18V @ 0-3A: Electronics