HELP with alpha 125

[lazed]

Ok, so this has happened a couple of times now. The beam on my alpha 125 waivers and dims, but it seems to only occur at random times. I got home yesterday, picked it up, and the beam was unstable, dimming and flickering. I was using it for star pointing two days ago and it flickered visibly, and then turned itself off for no reason. Yet, when I was inside two hours later it was working perfectly. Also, since I've been home today it's been working perfectly. I contacted nova about it yesterday and they issued an RMA. But, I don't want to pay the massive $60 fee if they can't find anything wrong with it. Does anyone have any idea what's wrong with my laser?

Thanks!

 

[Razako]

What batteries were you using?

 

[Amnizu]

If it was cold outside, your laser was probably mode-hopping. Also batteries are important.

 

[lazed]

@ Razako: I tried it with different batteries, all fresh. Alkalines, Lithiums, and rechargeables.

@ Aminzu: It was pretty cold outside, around 30º F or -1º C. Hehe, I live in maine . Is that too cold for a laser?

 

[Amnizu]

That is pretty cold for a laser, generally the ideal operating temperature is 10-25C, room temperature or thereabouts, or about 50-80F. It's not cold enough to cause damage to the laser or anything, but it's cold enough to cause it to mode-hop and dim like you described. Once it warms up, it should stop doing that and return to normal function.

 

[Razako]

If you say that it worked fine indoors that is your problem. 30º F is WAY to cold for most lasers to operate properly. Most of my cheaper dx lasers struggle to put out 5mw if they are that cold. RMAing the laser won't fix anything. You simply can't use it outside in the cold.