StarWarz CO2 Power

[Hemlock_Mike]

Long ago, I built my CO2 portable in an old Star Warz fashion. Back then, 18650 cells were about the best to be found but they hated a 12 AMP draw.
I just ordered C sized cells rated for 10 Amps which should transform this into something which runs longer. I will have to remove and rebuild the "energy tubes" on it but that's the easy part.

HMike

 

[photonaholic]

Mike, that is some really nice fabrication work there.

Is that PVC drain pipe?

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

That is machined PVC pipe with a two lens ZnSe expander on the front.

HMike

 

[Arayan]

it's really a beautiful and elegant project... is the tube air cooled?

 

[Experimentonomen]

Its prolly one of those small RF excited CO2´s.

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

It is an RF excited, air cooled CO2 tube. With the new cells, I'll likely have to add a small fan.

HMike

 

[vk2fro]

ahhhh mike, when do you plan on selling kits?

I saw this toy a while ago. Very impressed.

WHAT exactly do you do with it apart from blasting stuff/setting it alight.



edit: forgot the aussie "Bloody impressive"

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Long ago and far away, I built this CO2 laser. At that time, I tried to use 8 x 18650 cells to get the 32 volts needed. Sadly, these cells die after several cycles of 12 AMP draw :cryyy:

This picture is the laser with the 18650 "energy packs"

I finally got 8 x 25650 cells which I have read can provide >10 Amps :drool: This requires the removal of the old tubes and rebuilding the energy packs for the new cells. Below is a pictire of the new tubes and a comparison picture of the difference between an 18650 and a 25650 cell.
This should make this much more fun.

HMike

 

[Ramsey_innovations]

Hi Mike, I'm very interested in building something similar myself, how many watts is that tube rated for? Whats the rage that it can ignite, say, cardboard with that expander? Thanks Mike!

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Ramsey --- This is an air cooled, RF excited CO2 laser rated for 12 Watts but I read closer to 18 Watts with the PWM set to max.
I almost started a house fire at 35' on cardboard BUT, I'm using a ZnSe expander.
When are you getting a CO2 ??

HMike

 

[Trevor]

On a scale of 1 to horribly dangerous, I'd definitely rate it at about the level of a bouncing betty antipersonnel mine.

But it looks awesome... brilliant!

-Trevor

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Oooohhhhh k -- Thanks for the post.

HMike

 

[Ramsey_innovations]

Hopefully I'll find one soon I've been looking around on "flea-bay" for an RF excited co2 but not much to choose from. It's going to be my first gas laser and I'd like between 10 and 20 watts. 35' range sounds pretty good, any suggestions on where to obtain one of these beauties and what would you estimate the total build cost to be I'd like to keep it under or around $500. Thanks for the quick response Mike.

 

[Trevor]

Oooohhhhh k -- Thanks for the post.

HMike

To better explain my statement... I had the opportunity to get a ~33W CO2 laser, but I ended up passing on it. The invisible beam just creeps me out. :undecided:

-Trevor

 

[Hemlock_Mike]

Trevor -- You need to add a targeting laser so you know where it's at.
Never pass your hand in front to see if it's on. The invisible beam also impresses people with the "heat ray" as in war of the worlds.
I started with CO2 40 years ago! I still have the home made tube.

HMike

 

[Seoul_lasers]

Demo please !
I am so eager to see this beauty of a CO2 laser in action!