Help! setting up HeNE Tube Power Supply

[Khalsakirpan]

Hey there guys, I am quite new. I got a HeNe laser tube with power supply and I wanted some advice in hooking it up and plugging it in (most specifically how would I hook it up so I could just plug it into my house outlet) before I zap myself or worse. I have included pictures below.....

Thanks.....

 

[Cyparagon]

Follow the diagram for input power. If you have 240V mains, the two mains leads go to white and white. If you have 120V mains, the two mains leads go to white and yellow (the twisted pair). Ground the green wire for added safety.

Follow the color coding for output power. Do NOT touch it while it is operating. The black goes to the left (to the other black) and the red goes to the right (to the resistor)

 

[daguin]

That looks like a green HeNe harvest out of a Melles Griot self-contained, "labby" unit

They made (make?) them in red too, but the tube looks familiar

Peace,
dave

 

[jcranmer]

I'd follow what Cyparagon said. Most of what you need is right on the power supply. Just make sure the red wire is connected to the ballast resister and not the tube directly. Once it's going stay far away from the tube. Some of these will hold a charge for some time after being turned off and unplugged, so be careful.

The only thing I see that concerns me at all is how close the brackets are to the high voltage connections. It may just be the photo's but you could have some arcing to the brackets.

 

[Khalsakirpan]

Sorry for the continuance of my noobishness.... will it be ok to do it via a household plug (three prong for the ground) since it says VAC, and in that case I should go 115 VAC. Also does it matter which prong (besides the ground) for the white and yellow wires?

I know I am quite noob and I thank you guys for taking your time out to help me.....

Thanks...

 

[Flaminpyro]

After you find that it works you need to get a good enclosure so you and the tube is safe

 

[Cyparagon]

will it be ok to do it via a household plug (three prong for the ground) since it says VAC, and in that case I should go 115 VAC. Also does it matter which prong (besides the ground) for the white and yellow wires?

I don't think it matters which is which. It is AC afterall.

It'll work electrically, but it is certainly not up to code. If you know you and others will be careful around it, a plug is fine. If not, get an enclosure and a separate corded plug