FAP 800 - I give up

[Hemlock_Mike]

How do you "pop the top" on an FAP 800 Can?
I'm about ready to dump it on a stove burner.:yabbmad:
HMike

 

[RedCowboy]

You can take a hammer and a screwdriver and make a gash in the corner then pry it up, it's sealed on.

This is what's inside.

This is Alaskans pic of his running at low power, pretty cool huh?

The top pic is mine but this open unit is Alaskans upload also.

There are 19 emitters fiber coupled and arranged into a circle, pretty darn well too.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

RC -- Thanks -- It looks soldered and I wanted to drop it out.
I may use your method with a Dremmel cutter tool on a corner.
HMike .
I'm working with Chris on this !!!

 

[RedCowboy]

A dremel will get junk inside, just knock a slot in the top near a corner or midway down either side and pry against the rim, it will pop the bond. Near the connectors is sturdy, stay away from the fibers at the output end.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

OK - Thanks
HMike

 

[Alaskan]

I had one where the top wasn't bonded very well and just peeled it off with my fingers, maybe yours is sealed much better, or perhaps someone already opened the one I have before I got it. The inside is grooved to where the top fits tightly into it, you can see the lip in that photo RCB posted titled "this is what's inside".

 

[crazyspaz]

I thought they were hermetically sealed, meaning getting inside is more than likely going to be a real bastard. Have you checked Sam's laser FAQ to see if he says anything on taking them apart?

 

[DashApple]

I think they are just laser welded shut , if you file a corner down the lid will peel off with some effort

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

My units appear soldered together.
I'll try again. -- HMike

 

[Alaskan]

If they are soldered by bet is it's a very small amount, maybe try a small jewelers file around the edges to remove it.

 

[RedCowboy]

These things come in a massive brass box with a tec. There was a plug for thermal sensor and tec but I stripped it all out. These were made to work all day long.

I just knocked a slot in the top with a screwdriver and popped it open, a bit of packing tape and it still closes.

It still works. This one is a fap800-12 12w

I have some 40w but am going to get better glasses, the ones I have are eagle pair but they say 800-2000 so I don't think they are much good for 808nm, well they technically cover it but I'm not comfortable because od+5 would be the center of those numbers, so always go with safety first everyone, if you're not 100% sure your safe then error on the side of caution.

 

[Alaskan]

I have four of those in the big brass box with TEC, tested but never used. Probably ought to off load some of them to put into orher projects. One qustion I sm hoping you might know, how high in temperature can I operate one of the non-TEC cooled FAP's?

 

[RedCowboy]

I don't know, I could look up the spec sheet numbers, but I wouldn't be afraid to get one up to 120 F, but I would let it cool at about that just to be safe.

 

[Alaskan]

The specs I saw show to keep it at 20 C., but that seems low to me, perhaps that is the recommended temp. for use as a commercial CNC controlled laser. If I can push it to 120 F., that will work for me, I don't see a way of easily keeping the thing at 20 C/70 F using the size of passive heat sink I want to use.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

The specs I have show an operating range of -20 to 30 Deg C.
I'd imagine that the cooler, the longer life.
HMike

 

[Alaskan]

Ouch, +86 F. isn't that warm, will need a lot of heat sink to keep a high power one that low. Thanks!