Probably the Most Expensive Laser on the Forum!

[bobhaha]

Hey guys,

This is going to be a work in progress thread as well as a overview/sneak peek/learning thread.

I have never worked with the laser I am about to show you... so I'm super excited to get going!

I'm proud to announce The (most probably) Expensive Laser on the Forum!

This RF excited CO2 laser is worth $11,000 brand new. I snagged this beast for $50.

I'll let the video speak for its self...



There will be more pics and videos to come as I work on getting my baby running XD

Click the updates below to go to the post with the details:

UPDATE: Cut out the case for my remote

UPDATE: Testing the remote on the scope

UPDATE: Sneek peek inside the laser

Any and all comments/suggestions/questions are appreciated.
-Adrian

 

[NKO29]

ERRHMEHGOD VERY nice! +rep if i can! I wish i had a spare 11K lol
AND how did you get it for $50? In terms of how did you find that deal...

 

[bloompyle]

I've looked into getting one of those smaller air cooled Domino CO2's.

10W, not so much the powerhouse as the 60W brethren.

Though I've been told that the RF on it is now fun to mess with for a noob like myself...

 

[Encap]

Looks like a SYNRAD 48-2 is a 25W model.

Here is the J version now obsolete manual pdf: http://www.synrad.com/Manuals/J48Seriesv60.pdf Power source for it was a DC-2 --pdf here: http://www.synrad.com/Products/dc_supplies/DC2_DC5Specs.pdf

Lots of informationl here:
25W CO2 laser with proven operating lifetimes of more than 45,000 hours, only from Synrad the worlds leading manufacturer of sealed CO2 lasers

I would gues SYNRAD can advise you as to current model power source that would work A DC-2, 30VDC, 14A power supply is what it calls for.

Good luck getting her up and running. Be careful!

 

[bobhaha]

ERRHMEHGOD VERY nice! +rep if i can! I wish i had a spare 11K lol
AND how did you get it for $50? In terms of how did you find that deal...

When you work with high power lasers... you can get your hands on some from time to time.

Looks like a SYNRAD 48-2 is a 25W model.

Here is the J version now obsolete manual pdf: http://www.synrad.com/Manuals/J48Seriesv60.pdf Power source for it was a DC-2 --pdf here: http://www.synrad.com/Products/dc_supplies/DC2_DC5Specs.pdf

Lots of informationl here:
25W CO2 laser with proven operating lifetimes of more than 45,000 hours, only from Synrad the worlds leading manufacturer of sealed CO2 lasers

I would gues SYNRAD can advise you as to current model power source that would work A DC-2, 30VDC, 14A power supply is what it calls for.

Good luck getting her up and running. Be careful!

Hey thanks Encap. I didn't do any research at the time of the video... Basically, got home, plopped it on the table, took a short video, drove back to work and uploaded the video.

I saved a copy of all the datasheets and user manuals I can find, including the ones you linked. I have partly read through the last link you sent me. Turns out the port which I thought was a RS232 connector is actually a DB9 used for monitoring fault conditions like over-temp, control/RF circuitry failure and also adds remote interlock and remote keyswitch capability.

The power port that I thought is used to power the service PCB is actally an aux power OUT, that is used to power the controller board.

As for it being a 25W tube... I'm happy with that... Can't complain for $50

I'll take another look at work for a power supply that'll work with this tube if not... Might need to consult Ebay.

 

[Cyparagon]

This RF excited CO2 laser is worth $11,000 brand new.... Probably the Most Expensive Laser on the Forum!

The argon lasers that everyone has were $10 to $100k or more when new. A few other people have worked with RF CO2 lasers as well.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

indeed...I'd see if you could find an old spec sheet and diagrams/documentation for this monster so you know exactly how it works first....some of these can sometimes have little quirks since it came out of another device. good luck on getting this thing going! I'm excited to see if you can get it going.

 

[bloompyle]

The argon lasers that everyone has were $10 to $100k or more when new. A few other people have worked with RF CO2 lasers as well.

Now that I think about it, I remember being told that Hemlock Mike's shoulder CO2 is an RF tube.

 

[ricktrent4]

Thanks for the video ! I like to see what people are working on good luck hope all goes good !

 

[bobhaha]

The argon lasers that everyone has were $10 to $100k or more when new. A few other people have worked with RF CO2 lasers as well.

Maybe a better title would be Laser worth the most currently. You can't sell those argons nowdays for 10k+, but this laser is probably worth somewhere near that resale price.

 

[Blaster]

Without doubt a great score and the price is a joke well done ,enjoy it



QUOTE=bobhaha;1244226]Hey guys,

This is going to be a work in progress thread as well as a overview/sneak peek/learning thread.

I have never worked with the laser I am about to show you... so I'm super excited to get going!

I'm proud to announce The (most probably) Expensive Laser on the Forum!

This RF excited CO2 laser is worth $11,000 brand new. I snagged this beast for $50.

I'll let the video speak for its self...



There will be more pics and videos to come as I work on getting my baby running XD

Any and all comments/suggestions/questions are appreciated.
-Adrian[/QUOTE]

 

[Cyparagon]

this laser is probably worth somewhere near [$11,000]

Bullsht. There have been 14 people that said $1200 was way too much.

 

[Fiddy]

Bobhaha, in regards to the 4th wire on the input plug to the power supply, id tie the Earth to the DC negative, this will stop the DC power supply from floating above earth potential.

Also the way Australia is wired, the AC neutral is connected to Earth at the main switch board by the MEN connection.

 

[jeffreythe00]

Now that I think about it, I remember being told that Hemlock Mike's shoulder CO2 is an RF tube.

Correct. As well as mine ^^. Though... mine isn't shoulder mounted yet.

 

[bobhaha]

Bullsht. There have been 14 people that said $1200 was way too much.

Dayyym... Didn't expect that. Hmm now I should def change the title of the thread...

Bobhaha, in regards to the 4th wire on the input plug to the power supply, id tie the Earth to the DC negative, this will stop the DC power supply from floating above earth potential.

Also the way Australia is wired, the AC neutral is connected to Earth at the main switch board by the MEN connection.

Thanks Fiddy.

I'll give it a go, I was sure that it gets tied to something but I didn't know what. What would be the reason for tying it to neutral? Or does that never happen?

-Adrian

 

[Fiddy]

Tying it to the neutral would work also id imagine because the neutral is connected to the earth at the main switchboard via the MEN connection. So its basically the same.