JDSU 25ML Argon Help

[Mosc007]

Some early power readings using a 2.5 watt Laserbee.

With the cable tie it holds 50 mW at 9 Amps.

Using a screw driver to tune i was able to hold 70 mW at 9 Amps.

Looks like a good tube axcept for the front mirror alignment. It's going to be worth the effort to machine something up to allow me to adjust it accuratly. I am sure i can do better than 70 mW at 9 Amps.

I have a few ideas to make an adjuster. It has to be insulated so I will probably use a nylon ring and nylon screws to adjust it. It doesn't need a lot of force to move it such a tiny amount.

 

[paul1598419]

Will nylon threads be strong enough to adjust and hold the mirror? IDK. It might be better to machine it out of metal and use an insulated driver for adjustments.

 

[diachi]

Will nylon threads be strong enough to adjust and hold the mirror? IDK. It might be better to machine it out of metal and use an insulated driver for adjustments.

Doesn't take a whole load of force to move the mirrors enough to get things going in my experience. I'd think nylon would work as long as the threads aren't too fine. There are other polymers that may be even better.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

As long as it's not something conductive. originally I think they're aligned using a low power HeNe laser and an autocollomator while unlit. there's a special jig they use to do it. be careful while making adjustments, both for your own safety, and for that of the laser-it's easy to damage...

 

[Mosc007]

Will nylon threads be strong enough to adjust and hold the mirror? IDK. It might be better to machine it out of metal and use an insulated driver for adjustments.

I would be using long screws into the jig. Maybe 15mm of thread. That should give nylon enough strength.

If not. I could use metal screws into the nylon jig. Will still be insulated. Nylon might not be the best. Just that I know I can find some at work.

 

[paul1598419]

That sound great, Mosc007. I'm rooting for you to get at least six lines and a maximum power over 100 mW. I'm actually thrilled that you finally got something that works.

 

[Cyparagon]

I'd rather deal with 100VAC at 10A than 110VDC at 10A

Generaly DC is worse.

This guy disagrees.

ALSO: (skip to 1:35):

 

[Mosc007]

That sound great, Mosc007. I'm rooting for you to get at least six lines and a maximum power over 100 mW. I'm actually thrilled that you finally got something that works.

Might be possible to get 100 mW from a new tube. But I doubt this one can do it. I think 80 mW might be about it. Until I can adjust it acuratly I wont know. I was surprised to see 70 mW just using a screwdriver to bend the tube.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Well, fractions of a mm count. They're usually adjusted in 3 axis, on screws that have 88-100+ threads per mm, and a fraction of a turn is usually the whole range of lasing. It doesn't take much to lose the beam, and if it's bent too far out, good luck finding it again. be very careful, it's very easy to bend it wrong.

 

[Mosc007]

Version 1 of the cyonics front mirror tweaker for my 40ML.

Made from Black Nylon. M3 Steel screws. But it's insulated from the Anode. Going from how much force i needed with the screw driver this should do quite nicely.

Should slip over the front of the tube. I just need to drill 3 x 3.5 mm holes in the case to put the screws thru. Then adjust it to get max output.

 

[paul1598419]

Looks good. Hope it works. If it does, I'd like to see some 6 lines photos.

 

[Mosc007]

Had a bit of time and installed my Alignment tool. Seems to work well. It is very sensitive to adjustments. Takes a bit of time and care to tune it.

Anyway, Now getting 4 lines on idle which is 4 Amps. 5 Lines at 4.5 Amps. 6 Lines at 8 Amps. Still only 6 lines at 10 Amps.

I didn't put my Laserbee on it yet. But using the internal light sensor which is very likely inaccurate, as I have removed it and reinstalled it to install the adjuster.

At 10 Amps the Internal Light meter is reading 96.6 mW....

It is very hard to take good pics of the lines with a Mobile Phone. Need to get my DSLR out and do it properly. Still, the 6th line is visible.

I have included a pic showing how the tube and blower fan is mounted.

Will check it with my Laserbee soon. I would not be surprised if it hits over 100 mW.

 

[paul1598419]

Very nice. I hope that fan you have on the head is able to move enough air to keep it cool. I had a feeling you would get six lines.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Congrats! Now you need a HeCd although that's far harder to come by in working shape. And they have a tendency to break in the mail.

 

[Mosc007]

Very nice. I hope that fan you have on the head is able to move enough air to keep it cool. I had a feeling you would get six lines.

That fan should be ok. It's 240 Volt at 3000 RPM. The air inlet is about 90mm. Don't know the flow rate but it moves a lot air. At 10 Amps the Air is very warm coming out. The Tube is quite warm but I can easily hold the back end of it. No temp trips. We bought that fan for a motor at work and didn't use it. Just had to machine up the adapter.

After tuning I was surprised to see 4 lines at idle and 5 lines with a small increase in current. I said 4.5 amps. It's actualy about 4.2-4.3 when the 5th line appears.

Next I will have to get a fog machine so I can photo the lines well. They are pretty cheap here.

 

[Mosc007]

Congrats! Now you need a HeCd although that's far harder to come by in working shape. And they have a tendency to break in the mail.

I have done a bit of research on HeCd. Interesting how they work. Not many around but I did find one supplier with some. Don't know if I will get one though :shhh: