Should I buy this Argon Ion Ebayser?

[Jimmymcjimthejim]

http://cgi.ebay.com/JDS-Uniphase-3m...ryZ53141QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It looks like it has everything needed, except for cooling.
What kind of maintenance would I need for this?
Is it something that a laser beginner would enjoy?
Is the price reasonable? (I know that shipping isn't!)

Please provide all information that you can as the auction ends soon!!

Thanks.

Edit: Thanks for your help guys, but I decided not to buy it

 

[FrothyChimp]

3mW is great for a beginner. The output color is very nice (488nm although 514nm is the signature blue for argon). The only drawback to argon lasers is they are bulky and heavy especially when the output is 3mW. One advantage is that it is standard input 120V 11A whereas most argons are 220V AC. Another advantage is that JDS is a good manufacturer. The major disadvantage is the very high voltages used to ionize the argon. A noob should not be messing around inside the power supply or take any protective covers off the laser. I'd also want to know how many hours are on the tube.

$50.00 is a great price but notice the reserve has not been met and judging by the buy it now price of $650.00 I suspect the reserve price is probably around $500.00. For a price between $500 and $650 or so you could get a 20-40mW 473nm DPSS lab laser. But if you want the novelty factor as in, "I have an argon laser" it might be worth it but keep an eye out, sometimes you can get argon at a really good price.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

3SLG ususlly indicates 3 mW single line green or so I think.  It does look 488 sky blue however.  11 Amps for 3 mW seems gawdawful high power and will need more than just a fan through a duct to cool that cathode.

My big ArIon draws 8 amps at 30 mW.  It has fans so loud ...............

I have a 15 mW which draws about 8 amps and is nice. I've offered to sell it in the US but no one wants it.

Mike

 

[Jimmymcjimthejim]

Thanks for the info.
I'm not going too high (price) on this one, I just thought that it would be cool to have
The color in the photo looks awesome, and will definitely be something to show to my friends. (But not let them touch!)
I definitely would not disassemble the unit, as I do realize that it is from June 1998 (10 year anniversary!) so something could possibly go wrong.
I'll ask the seller on how many hours it has.

 

[Jimmymcjimthejim]

Thanks for the info Hemlock Mike.
Do you think that the cooling would be a problem?
Should I follow a strict duty cycle if I do not make any modifications?

And generally,
How high of a price should I go (Or how much do these generally go for), and
Above how many hours should I not buy this?
I contacted the seller for the information about how many hours of use it has.

Edit:
Going to bed now.
POST INFORMATION!!
I will respond in the morning, when I will bid, since I cannot bid in the afternoon.

Edit 2:
Looks like there's some competition
Maybe I'm doing all this worrying and questioning for nothing...
At least I'll learn a few things

 

[heruursciences]

Sorry to bump heads, i bid about 95.00 on it for the power supply. The laser heads suck, bad by desig. READ umbical cable carries FULL HV including start pulse!

We really need an ebay claim it/let it go thread on this board.

FWIW, $95 was my true max bid- reserve not met. These power supplies can be hacked to run a LASOS, Spectra Physics or UNIPHASE 15SLB head.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Chris -- Can my 30SLB be made multiline easily?  I love the multi-line photos.  Is there a grating in there to select a single line output?

Jimmy -- If you get it, you need a big fan with a direct duct. Dryer hose won't allow enough airflow without a blower.

Mike

 

[Cyparagon]

The output color is very nice (488nm although 514nm is the signature blue for argon).

But... 514nm isn't blue :S

keep an eye out, sometimes you can get argon at a really good price.

I can attest to that!

Should I follow a strict duty cycle if I do not make any modifications?

You could run it without cooling... you wouldn't be able to run it more than 10 seconds (and then wait 1/2 hour for it to cool down again.) but starting is hard on the cathode. It's generally a requirement to cool argons.

 

[Jimmymcjimthejim]

I decided that I would not compete for it, as I'm pretty sure that I would have lost anyway (from the latest time I could bid- 8 hours before it ended)
I sort of felt that I would have some problems with it, such as with Cyparagon's post..
"You could run it without cooling... you wouldn't be able to run it more than 10 seconds (and then wait 1/2 hour for it to cool down again.) but starting is hard on the cathode. It's generally a requirement to cool argons."

But w/e, maybe after some time and some more money I can get a nice one (with cooling) for cheap.