Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me. I purchased a "20W 40W 60W PWM CO2 Laser Power Supply" back in march, and its been installed since may. The unit has a single test button, which is supposed to fire the laser regardless of the hookups. I was using my laser recently, having replaced the laser tube about a week before because of low power/arcing, and after working very well for a few days suddenly I started having a jittery laser, clocking in at about 6ma max. Changing the potentiometer no longer worked, and even firing the laser with the test button on the supply still gave the low power slightly flickery tube. The laser tube is humming as if it is turning on and off rapidly. Having only bought this power supply recently I am really hoping it hasn't blown for some reason.
I removed the supply from the unit and hooked up a spare tube and even using the test button, the laser doesn't seem to want to fire. The fan is on, and if the water pump jumper is off I get a red light but I can't seem to get the laser to work.
Can anyone offer advice on testing or possible repair? Is there a procedure for pressing the test button that would allow me to get an indicator light or something? i opened the cover and there doesn't seem to be any obvious burns and the fuse is good.
Thank you!