CO2 broken tube? Bubbles and sparking in the tube.

[ufo]

Hello,

I am new boy in CO2 lasers and I have problem with my CO2 laser tube.
I ordered from china cheap 40W laser engraver mashine.
When I started it - current metter show to me 10mA. Manual said that this is normal current, but nothing output. I opened case to see laser tube, but nothing beam. Three days ago I try to start laser again, but when I started laser I can heared and see sparking in the bubbles inside laser tube. I do not know where is problem. Plase check my attached photos.
I searched google for solve sthis problem, but nothing.

Very thanks for your tips.

Milan

 

[Apocalypse]

Shouldn't the laser tube be filled with CO2 not water...? There should be water surrounding the laser tube but not in it. The glass is probably cracked and I think that's your problem. Also what's the voltage you're applying?

 

[ufo]

I have first time CO2 laser in my hands. Yes, I thikend that CO2 must be in small tube inside laser - no water. I think that laser tube was damaged during transport. Laser never worked since purchase. I am using original power supply included in laser engraver.
I will try to reclaim goods, but I think that I will not be successful.
May some tell me where to buy new inexpensive 40W CO2 laser with quality transport (your experience is wolcome)?

Have a nice day.
Milan

 

[Things]

Yes, it's broken unfortunately. The sellers of those machines will usually send you a new tube if it arrives damage. If not you could open a paypal dispute, which usually gets them into action (If you paid by Paypal that is).

The smallest glass tube inside shouldn't have water in it, the only one that should have water is the one around the smallest tube, slightly larger than it. The large outer tube should also be empty.

 

[ufo]

Thanks for information. Milan

 

[LtKernelPanic]

As things said the tube has a crack in it unfortunately.

I assume when you said there wasn't a beam you meant you didn't see any plasma in the tube. When the laser is operating you'll see a violet glow in the tube but the actual laser beam itself is invisible to the human eye making it very, very dangerous. I figured you probably know about the safety hazards of a CO2 laser but I just wanted to point that out to anyone who may stumble upon this thread in the future.