spectra physics 155 HeNe

[Deleted member 16589]

I have a broken spectra physics 155 HeNe and was wondering if anyone had some pictures or diagrams

 

[Meatball]

I have a Uniphase 155 SL

Was that the same make at the time? Here's a quick pic of it...

 

[Deleted member 16589]

mine looks like this

 

[Meatball]

Same design on even the front plate...

What the *($)@#??

Hmm... well I sure take out the board and take pictures of it and the components if you want me to!

 

[Deleted member 16589]

ok Yea I hope its the same

 

[Deleted member 16589]

I fixed the wire but I need a new tube

 

[aryntha]

Doesn't the 155 have a side capillary setup? Or was it the bore that was separate; I thought it had a rather 'unique' tube.

You could probably retrofit the entire tube with a more modern one with minimal cost.. basically using the casing and power supply. Be careful of the voltage in there though.

 

[Deleted member 16589]

I fixed the wiring but i need a new tube.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/wtb-spectra-physics-155-hene-tube-59221.html#post836897

 

[james1095]

I fixed the wiring but i need a new tube.
http://laserpointerforums.com/f39/wtb-spectra-physics-155-hene-tube-59221.html#post836897

Good luck. These have been out of production for years, and IIRC they are soft seal tubes so finding a working one that isn't already part of a complete laser is pretty unlikely.

You could retrofit a modern tube in there, but you'd have to check that the current is the same. Look it up in the laser FAQ, I think there's a section on these.

 

[james1095]

I did some looking around. Sam has a a few complete working 155's for sale.

Sam's Classified Page

There is also a reference to 155's sold by other manufactures that contained a standard more modern style HeNe tube so your best bet is probably to install a modern barcode scanner tube. Do make sure the tube is actually bad though, a variety of things can prevent it from producing a beam.

 

[aryntha]

Do make sure the tube is actually bad though, a variety of things can prevent it from producing a beam.

From what I can see from his pics, the getter flashing is completely white. (in other words: oxidized.) So I'd say those tubes have no He nor Ne in them.

 

[james1095]

From what I can see from his pics, the getter flashing is completely white. (in other words: oxidized.) So I'd say those tubes have no He nor Ne in them.

I didn't see a picture of the tube, but yeah, white getting flash usually means the tube is done for. If the discharge color looks anything close to normal, it can sometimes recover enough to work by running it for days/weeks but usually not. I've seen slight improvements by placing the bare tube in a microwave(!) for 5-10 seconds but obviously this is a last resort, and too long in there can cause the tube to literally melt down.

 

[Bluefan]

I've seen the discharge of both my spectra physics SP-120 go from pink to orange/white by letting it run a few hours, and by then there was also some output. Just let the tube run a few hours and see what happens.