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FrozenGate by Avery

Bad Co2 tube ?






Glass is a frozen liquid -- it can tend to flow a bit. On a long tube,
that could be a problem but if the Donut ring is there, maybe not.
I tend to agree on optics or current. The fact that it lights up is a
good sign. My CO2s are a near violet color but a pix would help.
HMike
 
Output coupler = mirror on the "business end"

Did you press on the middle of the tube and rotate it around as suggested?
 
what is causing that rattle when you fire the tube? i couldn't see clearly, but the discharge doesnt look uniform and seems to wiggle somewhat. when mine works, there is absolutely no sound coming out of it, except when it is underpowered and plasma is unstable. is the anode terminal well insulated and protected against corona discharges?
 
I see/hear that too. The plasma is unstable. Check carefully for places where corona discharge could develop.

If the hiss is coming from inside the tube, the PSU may be failing.

If the hiss is coming from near the cathode or anode or elsewhere, check for sharp burrs or broken wire insulation where the HV could "spark" into the air. What kind of connections did you make to the tube?

Alligator clips? Solder? Insulated some or other?

Does the PSU make any sounds other than the fan spinning?
 
Gator clips. the cathode side comes the hiss from inside the tube. can you post pix of your connections
 
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I would but I don't have a CO2 setup at the moment. I used to, but then I decided I'd rather not set the rental place on fire.

I'm developing the opinion that your PSU is at fault here. It should be primarily responsible for a stable current flow/plasma discharge. If you have one of the IR thermometer guns, you could open up the PSU and starting running the tube while safely "probing" the temperature of the internal components from a distance away.

But if doing that makes you feel silly, I will tell you that if I were in your shoes, I would buy a new PSU. Sucks to have to do so, but its one of the two components in the setup that can fail on you, and since the PSU have more parts that make it up, I would argue that the odds of it failing first are better than for those of the tube - if a bent tube and dirty optics can truly be ruled out.

That's what I would do. I'm not a CO2 laser professional - just a hobbiest who's read many books and who's experimented with these in the past.

Is that any consolation? Any help? I hope so!
 
I concurr..I contacted factory inChina..Ill try tightening screws but that the furthest i will go. I sent video to them, Coletech, the psu is still under warrenty. but it sux i have a large machine in my shop sitting idle. Btw. Thankyou for making lpf an enjoyable fourum and helpful. I can' t wait to get my death-ray back working. you are right about the rentle unit. lol theres a few holes in my linai screen before I installed a back stop a large tile..and a 90° down mirror
 
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Those bricks have a current control input that takes 0-5V. Is that input left floating?
 
You mean do i have a pot controling the power....i did but not for the test fire i shown in video. I .disconected that and only usex the test fire button.
 
The company will send new tube...they believe it has slow leak. but i have to pay. $100 Shipping :-(
 
Any one want the tube for their own experiments? Just pay for shipping. In USA. I'm sure someone wants to refill the gases and use in their research project. I have origonal box...he he with a few holes burnt into it.
 
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