Powering the HeNe Help

[pwnstar]

Ok. so I have most of what I need to hook up a HeNe. now I'm really new at this so i just need to ask basic questions like..
Does the tube have a positive or negative end?
and if im useing a 5mA HeNe power supply do i need to watch my mA?

here is what I have =P
thx to Senkat and Wannaburn

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

In my HeNe's, the +HV connects to the output end. Also there is a balast resistor in that +HV line near the tube. The newer power supplies may not need that.

Mike

 

[pwnstar]

ok thanks mike,
I see that the input on the power supply has a red, black and yellow wire. Im guessing black is GND. what might the red and yellow be?

 

[JLSE]

In most the red is 24-28vdc in and the yellow is the trigger. All 3 must be hooked up to get power. I have also seen black and yellow together with a negative trigger.

 

[pwnstar]

so yellow has to connect to either the red or black to complete the circuit like a switch.

 

[JLSE]

Exactly

 

[pwnstar]

ok kool =P

The power supply asks for 21-36VDC @ 600mA

Senkat let me know that he used a power cable from a printer. So I looked threw my boxes of junk and I found two of them that might be good.
32VDC @ 700mA
30VDC @ 830mA

 

[MarioMaster]

i'd go for the 30 volt, it's probably not regulated very well and may have a pretty high voltage with little load

 

[pwnstar]

Ok then, Ill try it with that.