Posted by
Guy Cox-2 on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/recommended-distortion-target-for-multiphoton-tp7582387p7582421.html
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As I posted before, we were able to get one repaired locally for a reasonable cost. So you may not need a new one.
Guy
Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
School of Medical Sciences
Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis,
Madsen, F09, University of Sydney, NSW 2006
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Arvydas Matiukas
Sent: Friday, 25 July 2014 6:38 AM
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: Re: 633 nm laser replacement
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I would like to thank for all suggestions they were really helpful.
Following the provided and some device-specific suggestions from our local service engineer, I connected the "dead" laser to identical power supply (confocal has two of them), and found the laser working. Therefore it was not laser but power supply that went dead. Fuses were not blown. This finding aligns well with 20-30kHrs lifetime of the HeNe lasers (I estimate only ~5kHrs on our).
Now I am looking for the replacement power supply. Please advise if cheap general power supply (e.g. by the company suggested by Simon, $200-400)
may operate reliably, or the best choice (in terms of reliability, power stability, and tube lifetime) is to replace with identical one from original manufacturer (LASOS).
Thanks,
Arvydas
Director of Microscopy Core
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Arvydas Matiukas, Ph.D.
Director of Confocal&Two-Photon Core
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Neuroscience & Physiology Dept
Room 4607 NRB
505 Irving Ave
Syracuse, NY 13210
Tel.: 315-464-7997
Fax: 315-464-7712
Email:
[hidden email]
>>> "Watkins, Simon C" <
[hidden email]> 7/23/2014 11:24 AM >>>
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After a handful of requests, I looked up our last purchase You can find the 5mW 633 tubes at
http://mi-lasers.com/hene-lasers/hene-tubes/5mw-633nm-hene-laser-tubethey are currently listed at $295.
I have no interest in this company at all..
Simon C. Watkins Ph.D, FRC Path
Professor and Vice Chair Cell Biology
Professor Immunology
Director Center for Biologic Imaging
BSTS 225
University of Pittsburgh
3500 Terrace St
Pittsburgh PA 15261
412-352-2277
www.cbi.pitt.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List
[mailto:
[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Feinstein, Timothy
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 8:21 AM
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: Re: 633 nm laser replacement
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Yep, and check all the fuses. Most gas laser power supplies have a number of them. Much better to find the $10 problem (if it is that) before you spend $5k+. I have found that a lot of gas lasers make a distinctive sound when the tube is spent that sounds faintly like a cricket chirping every few seconds. This is the igniter trying unsuccessfully to activate the tube, like a starter motor failing to turn over an engine. I don*t know whether all models do this but I have heard it from a couple of spent argon and Kr-ion lasers. If you don*t hear it (in a quiet room) then you definitely should check the less expensive bits.
Be aware that removing a fuse can be a lot of fun, depending on the model.
Use needlenose pliers with the tips wrapped in electrical tape and a lot of patience.
Cheers,
TF
Timothy Feinstein, Ph.D. | Confocal Manager
333 Bostwick Ave., N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Phone: 616-234-5819 | Email:
[hidden email]
On 7/23/14, 4:09 AM, "Guy Cox" <
[hidden email]> wrote:
>Bear in mind that it may be the power supply not the tube that is
faulty.
> We had a HeNe for years and years (certainly more than 20) on an
>optical bench and the only problem was a transformer in the power
>supply. We had that rewound locally for a modest cost.
>
>
Guy
>
>Guy Cox, Honorary Associate Professor
>School of Medical Sciences
>
>Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Madsen, F09,
>University of Sydney, NSW 2006
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Confocal Microscopy List
>[mailto:
[hidden email]]
>On Behalf Of Craig Brideau
>Sent: Wednesday, 23 July 2014 6:27 AM
>To:
[hidden email]
>Subject: Re: 633 nm laser replacement
>
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>
>I have had to get a Spectra Physics argon re-tubed for one of our
>confocals. It worked well and the re-tubing charge was about half the
>cost of a new argon laser. ($5k retubing fee vs. $9.5k for a new
argon).
>I suspect HeNe lasers will be a similar cost, although you can get red
>diode lasers at 635nm for fairly cheap at this point. Some even come
in
>a tube package that is basically a drop-in replacement for the HeNe.
>I'd suggest price checking the cost of a decent 635 diode laser vs
>retubing your HeNe, especially since 5mW is relatively low power and
>diodes are cheap at these ranges.
>Here's an example of a 4mW one in the tube format, although I always
>suggest you shop around, but at least it gives you a ballpark value
for
>>your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> Dear listers,
>>
>> 633nm 5mW HeNe laser LGK 7628-1 went dead on our LSM 510. The laser
>> has been working for 10years and most likely >5000 hrs and suddenly
>> stopped producing a beam.
>>
>> The confocal is off service contract so I am looking for inexpensive
>> option to self-repair/replace/refurbish the laser. Core Directors
and
>> Managers please share any related experience. Contacting me off list
>> is fine.
>>
>> I googled a used/refurbished laser of the same model for $650 (4
>> month warranty included). Any experience with such option is greatly
>> appreciated. I project about
>> 1000 hrs laser usage in 2-3 years, and paying the full price for a
>> new laser would not be cost effective.
>>
>> best,
>> Arvydas
>>
>> Director of Microscopy Core
>> SUNY Upstate Medical University
>>