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Repair Uniphase Novette

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leonwebs

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Hi I have a Uniphase (JDS) HeNe in a "Novette" package. It burned out the other day, probably because it had mistakenly been running a few hours on a 15V adapter instead of its 12V. Two questions: first, any prognosis on whether it can be repaired? Second, does anyone have advice on just opening the package up? There are no screws, and it resisted some light prying. I hoped someone might have some tips before I break anything.
 





Hopefully you have just burnt your driver out and not damaged the gas tube. I don't have any experience myself with your model of HeNe, but have a look on the laser for the power requirements as you may need a replacement. The other thing is that HeNe's do not like being run for hours, you should follow a duty cycle in order to preserve the life of the laser tube. Do you have any spec sheets for the laser?
 
The problem you have though is this will not be covered in your warranty as it is considered to be your error for running with a power supply at the wrong rating.
Did you get the laser second hand or through the company as I thought they provided you with correct power adapter?
 
My apologies leonwebs, I didn't realise you was a new member in order to welcome you here. Anyway welcome to the forum :), I am sure that someone on this forum has more experience with the laser you have in order to help. May I ask, how much did you pay for it?
 
Thank you.
I didn't buy it; I work at a college and it's been in the department for a while. They cost about $900 new. We do have the proper adapter -- it's just that it looks similar to one for a Industrial Fiber Optics HeNe that we were also using.
 
Oh ok, it was an accident due to visual similarity. Sorry, i did try to look up your model online and on this forum to see whether anyone has managed to replace their integrated power supply, but with no luck unfortunately. How far have you got to looking inside the laser as it probably has tabs which are purposely meant to break if opened. Part of warranty protection.
 
Why do you say that?

I can see that possibly for a soft seal tube, but never heard that on a newer style, from Sam or anyone else.
I've had tubes run YEARS 24/7 (20-40K hours) without issue - one night light 14" tube ran 24/7 for over 3 years.

CurtisOliver said:
The other thing is that HeNe's do not like being run for hours, you should follow a duty cycle in order to preserve the life of the laser tube.
Click to expand...
 
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Unlike diodes, there isn't a set duty cycle, but I do notice that hene's can get very hot after a long period of time. It was merely a suggestion for keeping the tube lifetime for a bit longer.

It is probably because I have an old integrated 1980's hene. Sorry didn't mean to confuse.
 
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which model of the the novette do you have I have a 1508-1 and -0 then there is the novette 1507-0 and -1 that will let me know what psu you have in it. More than likely you fried the power brick inside the case. What year was it made. If its after 2000 its a hard sealed tube and should be fine. Contact Uniphase the may have a replacement power supply that will not cost as much as a new laser. You can find novettes of all four model on ebay for under two hundred. They are a fun little 632.8 hene. They are made to run on a 12 volt system putting 15 volts at I forget the amps for the power supply is to much. I have run my novette on the actual power brick for six hours with no problems. if it is the tube the replacements are cheap

here are some ebay links for novettes
Uniphase Novette Helium Neon Gas Laser Model 1508 0 | eBay
Uniphase Novette Helium Neon Gas Laser Model 1508 0 w Box Manual Quantity | eBay
Z128434 Uniphase Novette Helium Neon HeNe Alignment Laser Model 1508 0 Working | eBay

and from what i gather JDSU has split into two different companies and the novette is still made but your best bet is ebay
 
It's a 1508-0 made in 1991. Given how old it is I'm not optimistic the manufacturer will supply replacement parts. I did see several of these on ebay. It just seems a shame to junk this one if all that's wrong is a blown transistor or capacitor or something. Thanks to all who've commented so far.
 
ok so its around the same age as one of mine. pictures please of it running if at all possible. They are built with the purpose of never being never torn apart. Its not really a transistor issue I believe it may be a fuse issue. The reason being If it does not light at all I think that the main fuse may have blown making it inop but I may be wrong. I will speak to a friend of mine that is more knowledgeable on hene than me. But they are fairly common on ebay and relatively cheap
 
It's not likely the tube, Running it on 15V probably blew out high voltage module/some of the input regulation by over feeding it. they only need 12V at a little under an amp I think. I can probably fix it, but buying a new proper HV module wouldn't be the cheapest of purchases.
 
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So now that I've finally opened it, I don't see any obvious signs of damage. Hopefully it's a fuse that blew inside the brick. Even then, though, looking on surplus parts sites I can't find replacements for a Laser Drive, Inc 106-05 power supply. I contacted the manufacturer for what they suggest for supplying 1250V at 4mA.
 
Yeah that sounds about right. I think they're a 12V at 1A in, 1000-1500V module at 4mA out. It probably blew the HV input regulation. Call Chad at Merideth instruments but be prepared, those little things aren't cheap.
 
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