need help with a Giant "Laser" light

Rapidroy · 24th July 2011, 04:12 AM

Hi All
Anyone know anything about laser's? this is a AmericanDJ laser 300. It lights up but is not bright enough to show on a wall. it had a loose cap on the power supply board(10uf 400v)so I replaced it (i thought it was bad but is was just loose but i had a new one so i replaced it). how many volts is the tube? I can't find a manual for it.

bear · 24th July 2011, 04:25 AM

It's a standard gas laser tube... it may be shot.
It may not.
The board to the left runs the mirrors that are to the right.
The tube ought to be continuous, meaning the HV is always on, and it makes light... I think.But you can look up the wiring and voltages for standard gas laser tubes online. I would expect several kV minimum... it might be simpler to use or buy a newer one or replace with a solid state diode laser if the mirror assembly part still works...

Others may have more info...

_-_-bear

Rapidroy · 24th July 2011, 04:47 AM

A buddy gave it to me and I thought I'd open it up and take a look. the mirrors spin and I can see a blue laser light dancing around making patterns if i look in through the window that it should be sending the laser light out of. I don't need it but it looked fun to try to fix it.

bear · 24th July 2011, 05:45 AM

DO NOT LOOK IN THE WINDOW IT SHOULD BE SENDING LIGHT OUT OF!!!

Do a search, check the standard voltages for similar tubes, get a HV probe on it and see what the voltages are...

or replace the tube with a solid state laser diode unit...

_-_-bear

Mooly · 24th July 2011, 06:14 AM

Remember reading years ago (Maplin catalogue of all places as they used to sell a gas laser tube) something like that the device had to be used regularly for a minimum number of hours per week/month whatever. That must be 25+ yrs ago now. Don't know if that would aply to modern devices...

pinkmouse · 24th July 2011, 09:35 AM

Three usual causes of gas laser failure, PSU, outgassing, and cavity alignment. The only one you can fix is the PSU, and when they go, they usually go spectacularly, and leave evidence, so I'd suspect one, (or both), of the others. Rip out the tube and HV PSU and stick an extra bright laser pointer in there. It will likely be better than the original.

Rapidroy · 24th July 2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkmouse

Three usual causes of gas laser failure, PSU, outgassing, and cavity alignment. The only one you can fix is the PSU, and when they go, they usually go spectacularly, and leave evidence, so I'd suspect one, (or both), of the others. Rip out the tube and HV PSU and stick an extra bright laser pointer in there. It will likely be better than the original.

Then it must be the tube the PS seems fine. I just tested the mirror set up with a cheap pen laser and made a nice light show on the wall (my cats went nuts LOL) so my plan is to pull out the tube and PS add a 3v PS with 5 dollar laser then open a disco. OK maybe not the disco but my kids will have fun. It has a setting to dance with the music (it has a small mic inside) or auto mode this thing is really cool.

Pano · 25th July 2011, 12:28 AM

Yes, get a nice solid state laser, green or even blue. I have several, they are cheap and bight. Have fun!

24th July 2011, 04:25 AM	#2
bear diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York State USA	It's a standard gas laser tube... it may be shot. It may not. The board to the left runs the mirrors that are to the right. The tube ought to be continuous, meaning the HV is always on, and it makes light... I think.But you can look up the wiring and voltages for standard gas laser tubes online. I would expect several kV minimum... it might be simpler to use or buy a newer one or replace with a solid state diode laser if the mirror assembly part still works... Others may have more info... _-_-bear __________________ _-_-bear http://www.bearlabs.com ...ur feeback please - like/dislike my what I have written? PM/email tnx. --

24th July 2011, 05:45 AM	#4
bear diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York State USA	DO NOT LOOK IN THE WINDOW IT SHOULD BE SENDING LIGHT OUT OF!!! Do a search, check the standard voltages for similar tubes, get a HV probe on it and see what the voltages are... or replace the tube with a solid state laser diode unit... _-_-bear __________________ _-_-bear http://www.bearlabs.com ...ur feeback please - like/dislike my what I have written? PM/email tnx. --

24th July 2011, 06:14 AM	#5
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Remember reading years ago (Maplin catalogue of all places as they used to sell a gas laser tube) something like that the device had to be used regularly for a minimum number of hours per week/month whatever. That must be 25+ yrs ago now. Don't know if that would aply to modern devices... __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

24th July 2011, 09:35 AM	#6
pinkmouse diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chatham, England	Three usual causes of gas laser failure, PSU, outgassing, and cavity alignment. The only one you can fix is the PSU, and when they go, they usually go spectacularly, and leave evidence, so I'd suspect one, (or both), of the others. Rip out the tube and HV PSU and stick an extra bright laser pointer in there. It will likely be better than the original. __________________ Al I conceive of nothing, in religion, science or philosophy, that is more than the proper thing to wear, for a while. Charles Fort

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24th July 2011, 04:47 AM	#3
Rapidroy diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2008	A buddy gave it to me and I thought I'd open it up and take a look. the mirrors spin and I can see a blue laser light dancing around making patterns if i look in through the window that it should be sending the laser light out of. I don't need it but it looked fun to try to fix it.

25th July 2011, 12:28 AM	#8
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Yes, get a nice solid state laser, green or even blue. I have several, they are cheap and bight. Have fun!

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