HeNe questions

I'm almost finished turning my tiny HeNe (from UK's last year GB) into a portable. The only thing left to be done is "permanently" attaching the tube, but I'd like to make sure I'm not doing anything stupid before I do that.

-Can I hot glue the tube to the round cradle mounts and then use an elastic to hold it down? (by elastic I mean those larger ones used on clothing, that look like they're made of cloth)

-Can I coil the HV wire on itself or is the extra inductance going to affect performance? I'd like to avoid cutting it if possible.

The extra inductance won't hurt it at all, it's a dc driven load. As for hot glue, tubes run hot after long use, so keep that in mind.

Thanks!

Long run times won't be an issue, but I'm open to suggestions as to how to hold the tube without enclosing it or using unremovable glue.

I mounted my porta hene in an aluminum clamp. its just a plate with a hole thru it for the tube and a slat on one side,and a screw that tightens it around the tube gently. or you could use RTV like melles griot does in the heads. just keep in mind it'd become a pain to get back out so you'd have to get it right the first time.

hot glue would probably be fine too, the tube shouldn't get hot enough to remelt it if you're using the little 1300V 3.7-4mA supply its supposed to run on. the ballast might do better with a small heatsink as well for some longevity if you're sealing it in something. and I'd make sure the tube can breathe even if its just a little at the back. though it prolly doesn't NEED it.

My older little HENE - 6" is warm in the morning after running all night as a nightlight, but not terribly so. My casing is entirely wood, so I had the same concerns.

No issues after several years running it on and off. (not every night)

Please post pics when you finish the portable. I always thought it would be cool to do a staff/cane, with a lit HeNe in it and a large (2" +) uranium glass ball at the top, lit by a 405 or LED.

Curious to see what you came up with

Atomicrox said:

I'm almost finished turning my tiny HeNe (from UK's last year GB) into a portable. The only thing left to be done is "permanently" attaching the tube, but I'd like to make sure I'm not doing anything stupid before I do that.

-Can I hot glue the tube to the round cradle mounts and then use an elastic to hold it down? (by elastic I mean those larger ones used on clothing, that look like they're made of cloth)

-Can I coil the HV wire on itself or is the extra inductance going to affect performance? I'd like to avoid cutting it if possible.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, guys. I ended up going with my initial idea.

(Crappy) pictures here: http://laserpointerforums.com/f43/my-hene-pointer-93467.html