Spectra physics 168 5W argon ion laser

Here we have my spectra physics 168 argon laser. This is rated at 5W nominal, but will do around 8W at full current. It runs on 208V 3-phase power and is water cooled. I am running it in my garage using a 7.5hp rotary phase converter.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• laser
• spectra physics
• argon laser
• argon ion
• burning laser
• blue laser
• gas laser
• 168

[twirlywirly555]

Very nice laser if i had the money i would get a argon , whats the highest power argon you can get to run on single phase

Thanks

[GooeyGus]

You can get a lexel 88, which should do about 4W multiline/multimode if I remember correctly. A phase converter really isn't too hard to build though!!

Oh, and an update on the alarm. It was a low voltage alarm. A friend of mine who used to work for spectra physics gave the laser a good once-over and we added a bit of gas to the tube to bring up the tube voltage. No more alarms and it does 7.7W @ 34A. It should do over 9W at 38A, which is max for the tube.

[johanreinink]

What alarm did go off?

[GooeyGus]

I'm pretty sure it's a tube voltage alarm, either that or there's something weird with the PSU and it's throwing alarms for some reason. I think it's a tube voltage alarm because it goes off when I turn the 'field' (magnet) all the way up and get past a certain current level. The laser sat for 6 years so I wouldn't be surprised if it is a bit high pressure, causing the tube voltage to be a bit high.

[johanreinink]

I have a Spectra Physics Stabilite 2017 sitting idle for quite some time now, got it from my university. Too bad I can't power it (yet). Where did you get the phase converter, and what do you use to power it?

[GooeyGus]

The phase converter is a 7.5hp rotary phase converter. Basically it's just a 7.5hp 3-phase electric motor. You wire it into a single phase 240v outlet (I used my dryer outlet) and then you need to have a way to start the motor. I used a capacitor bank discharged into the motor to start it. Once the motor is started, it will sustain on it's own. The electric motor will create the third phase on it's own, just by spinning.

[gjh33]

DOC!!! ARE YOU TELLING ME THESE CLOCKS ARE 15 MINUTES BEHIND!?!?

[Stoney3K]

I've been tinkering with a 168 recently as well, and we get an alarm when the tube starts and we're running at minimal current (below 8A). At 30A she's doing great with a tube voltage of 234VDC. And that's for a tube that was sitting dormant in a farmer's barn for THIRTEEN years!

The water flow light might be off because the flow sensor is a little off calibration, or the filter's clogged. Do you need to force the circuit breakers to stay up when turning the PSU on?

[Kamenos4ever]

hey there gus, Silvershot from lpf here ;)

[Stoney3K]

Maybe it's a water flow problem? Your 'water' light seems to be off all the time. The flow sensor on the PSU may be bust, or it's just a dead light.

You *are* running water through the PSU, I hope.

[twirlywirly555]

yer i found some used lexel on single phase they sell 1 , 2 and 3 watt multi line units.