Beckman, Uniphase (2212) Argon Ion

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Should work right?
Just what come to mind, but i'm not an expert by any means.

 

[aryntha]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Yeah it'll work. I don't think anyone's criticizing your grounding, I think he just found it amusing -- "it's not makeshift, it's engineered."

I would get rid of that barcode label under that screw though, as it may not be making good contact with the rest of your "ground bus bar" Hell, Square D, eat your heart out. :beer:

Just a note, I've noticed a lot of the used 221x-4xL lasers don't lase at idle/4a. I have two JDSU 2214-4VL's that don't until I crank it up.

But I think you've got a good start here, - I can probably get my makeshift schematic out; you really just have to short two pins (I used a switch wired up) to set the unit to "RUN" vs "IDLE", and then a pot between two other pins to adjust the power.

I also would put the end cap back on with the light sensor, etc, like the others mentioned. Just make sure the shutter screw (on the rim of the cap) is turned so that the aperture is open. Ah and- don't fiddle in there while it's running, it's enough to invoke religion. Another reason to keep the front cap/aperture/sensor on.

It really isn't tough, the interface... I'll check my old makeshift one and the schematic a little later.

 

[vk2fro]

Re: Beckman 488nm

If someone can get me a schematic and Timelablasers doesnt have the time to make a controller, I'd be happy to put one together - I've seen the schematics for these and its a fairly basic circuit. I should have most of the parts bar a small metal box in my junk box.

 

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thank you vk2fro, i'll get it worked out. This is going to be a good learning experience.

Yeah it'll work. I don't think anyone's criticizing your grounding, I think he just found it amusing -- "it's not makeshift, it's engineered."

I would get rid of that barcode label under that screw though, as it may not be making good contact with the rest of your "ground bus bar" Hell, Square D, eat your heart out. :beer:

Just a note, I've noticed a lot of the used 221x-4xL lasers don't lase at idle/4a. I have two JDSU 2214-4VL's that don't until I crank it up.

But I think you've got a good start here, - I can probably get my makeshift schematic out; you really just have to short two pins (I used a switch wired up) to set the unit to "RUN" vs "IDLE", and then a pot between two other pins to adjust the power.

I also would put the end cap back on with the light sensor, etc, like the others mentioned. Just make sure the shutter screw (on the rim of the cap) is turned so that the aperture is open. Ah and- don't fiddle in there while it's running, it's enough to invoke religion. Another reason to keep the front cap/aperture/sensor on.

It really isn't tough, the interface... I'll check my old makeshift one and the schematic a little later.

Thank you for your input. I didn't feel he was criticizing me at all...I'm just never completely sure my ideas are "sound".

I did put the end cap back on right after It was said I should keep it on. I fired it up again and it looks like its all aligned and working still. Thanks for the heads up on the shock as well, knowing me I WOULD have fiddled about in there....I do enjoy being thrown across the room!:crackup:

I thank you all for the offer of the controller. I know Timelablasers will come through, I am just not pushing him. I know he has family from out of town, and a school project that is taking his time right now.
If I can make up some make-shift controller for now I will..there is a Radio Shack near me so i'll take a look...I'll take any easy lesson I can take. Really i'm just happy right now that it "looks" like it's going to work.:beer:

 

[diachi]

Re: Beckman 488nm

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/kccucp1.pdf

Here is a schematic that will work.

If all you want to do is adjust current then you don't need to bother with half of that circuit.All you really need is current control enable ( 5-11 ), interlock, current adjust pot ( Wiper goes to pin 6, one pin goes to 13 and the other goes to 11 ) and the discharge on and off, which I am not completely sure that you need. Measuring the voltage between pins 8 and 11 will give you the current. 10Amps/Volt calibration.

Also, I'd use a 10k pot opposed to 5k.

 

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thank you diachi...i'm getting my head around that schematic...

Link with wire: 5&11...1&3...
then use this:http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062301#...connecting it to 6,13&11?

then: discharge on/off..link with wire and switch or something more complicated?

I have been looking online to learn what I am seeing in the schematic...I think I am starting to get an understanding. If anyone has a photo of their simple set-up that might clear some things up for me.
Hopefully my learning here will help others through the SEARCH area at a later date

 

[Cyparagon]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Since you might be adjusting the pot regularly, I recommend a panel-mount type with a knob attachment. Most of that can be omitted depending on how much functionality you need.

 

[diachi]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Since you might be adjusting the pot regularly, I recommend a panel-mount type with a knob attachment. Most of that can be omitted depending on how much functionality you need.

Yes. I've tried using those little multi-turn pots, they are useless for frequent adjustment.

As Cyparagon has suggested, get the panel mount style with the knob attachment. With that style you'll want pin 6 going to the middle pin of the pot ( the wiper ). Then pin 11 attached to one of the other pins and pin 13 attached to the remaining pin.

 

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thanks to both ya'll....
I found this one, looks more sturdy.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062357

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Re: Beckman 488nm

My argon does the same thing. Only plasma light as yours, 532 with envy.. I am starting to believe that there is no misalignment in the laser.. What do you guys think?

Edit, I just adjusted the current at 10 A max, but there was still plasma light..
532 with envy, I don't want to ruin your excitement but it seems our lasers have the same problem. I dunno but many told me that this purple light means the mirrors in the laser tube are misaligned I thought it only happened at idle but today i managed to get it work with more amps, so I guess misalignment is the problem..

 

[Cyparagon]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Audio taper is bad for most applications. The response is not linear.

 

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

My argon does the same thing. Only plasma light as yours, 532 with envy.. I am starting to believe that there is no misalignment in the laser.. What do you guys think?

Edit, I just adjusted the current at 10 A max, but there was still plasma light..
532 with envy, I don't want to ruin your excitement but it seems our lasers have the same problem. I dunno but many told me that this purple light means the mirrors in the laser tube are misaligned I thought it only happened at idle but today i managed to get it work with more amps, so I guess misalignment is the problem..

I'm sorry to hear that you still don't have lasing out of yours yet. I think this thread might be helpful to others in the future as well.
I still haven't lost faith though...It does seem that I haven't gotten my head around the controller yet, so I think I will wait until Timelablasers gets it made up and I'll try it then. I really want this damn thing to work!
Keep up the faith on yours too....lets see if anyone else with more experience has something to say about whats going on with yours. Would you be willing to post some pics of your controller(if it's not the JDS one).
ONE OF US HAS TO GET A LASER OUT OF THIS!:can:

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Re: Beckman 488nm

I'm sorry to hear that you still don't have lasing out of yours yet. I think this thread might be helpful to others in the future as well.
I still haven't lost faith though...It does seem that I haven't gotten my head around the controller yet, so I think I will wait until Timelablasers gets it made up and I'll try it then. I really want this damn thing to work!
Keep up the faith on yours too....lets see if anyone else with more experience has something to say about whats going on with yours. Would you be willing to post some pics of your controller(if it's not the JDS one).
ONE OF US HAS TO GET A LASER OUT OF THIS!:can:

You tell me! I paid over $550 for the laser shipped, and customs and handling. The price of the laser alone was unbeatable, but it would be nice to see it running properly :/ I have waited one year to be able to buy an argon and after all the parts ordering i find out its not wokring

Here . It's basically a 47 k pot and the needed jumpers to get the laser lase. But it doesn't

 

[532 with Envy]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thank you for the photo. I learn a bit better by visuals.

Again I am sorry about your Argon. I hope this is not a trouble with mine as well. If at the very least we will both be half way there on another set-up(you got the Heavy part..PSU already).

Hopefully I will be posting pictures of a Working Argon soonish:scared:

 

[Elektrotechniker]

Re: Beckman 488nm

Thank you for the photo. I learn a bit better by visuals.

Again I am sorry about your Argon. I hope this is not a trouble with mine as well. If at the very least we will both be half way there on another set-up(you got the Heavy part..PSU already).

Hopefully I will be posting pictures of a Working Argon soonish:scared:

I hope you get it working, though it seems we have the same problem. I don't fucking know anymore. I'm so lost and sad. Consider also that mine is a MULTI line, which makes it more difficult for me to realise i won't be seeing the beam at least for a while.. :yabbmad:

 

[LordKaramazov]

Re: Beckman 488nm

its multi-line or single line but mirrors misalligned? cuz i dunno why being a multi-line makes it harder to see it lase...id even say it would be easier, no? at least at the desired wavelength (488nm id say).

i know almost nothing about Ion lasers...only dreams about having one in the future (sometimes i do dream about an Ar-Kr ion laser...multiline...whats more sexy than that...all the excitement of all the properties of a 488(just get a prism) and a white beam...all those blues, greens and reds:drool:its just so damn beautiful) and lots of drool..

But i dont get why it being a multiline makes it harder to lase...misalligned mirrors are always hard to get alligned...

*edit* I get it! its more frustrating to u not seeing the beam in the next few seconds, minutes...i just read it wrong, sorry! (but no problem now i got this thread marked without needing to hit the button on top )