New RECI 80watt tube loosing power.

[John]

Hi all,
I have finished my build a month and a bit ago.

All the components are LO. Order numbers are: 202795 and 203911.

RECI 80Watt tube & BH-80W LPSU (AC in 220V, 30KV 25mA out)

Had plenty of time to aligning the mirrors with the laser pointer and playing with the software as I had to wait for the tube to arrive.
After installing the tube, the switch on went as expected, playtime…

Setting power and speed I played around with 3mm Perspex, and it did cut, but something was wrong. I had to jack the power way up and decrease the speed to much lower than anticipated. The mA also didn’t want to go above 20MA even at full power. 20ma saturated at +- 60% power, although I did set the max power at 95 in manufactures parameters with 20000 pwm.

After a month of playing my max mA is still 20ma but I have barely a burn mark at the output window of the tube. Needless to say, there isn’t even a scorch mark if I cut, buttttt, there is a puncture through hole when the tube initially fires, after that, none.

Testing with a potentiometer between 5V,G and IN produced the same results.

Another observation is that I do have power to cut or engrave if the mA is below 7mA.

At 20mA the beam color is a beautiful strong pink(purple??). The same color as originally switch on.
No purple burn marks on the anode or cathode of the tube. The tube output lens is clear, no cracks ect.

Water flow is +-5l/min.
Temperature between 10 and 20 degree C.

Anybody any ideas?? Marco?


Similar symptoms are these threads:
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=1812
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=1993

Attached file:
This is the output of the tube @20mA (full power), 10cm away from the tube output window. The tube was firing for a few seconds to produce this. The dark spot is output @ 6mA, instantly!

Thanx John

Burn marks @ full power.

Laser Output.bmp (455.85 KiB) Viewed 5955 times

[Tech_Marco]

John:

First thing: Did you connect the negative wire to the terminal near the output?
Without ground, you hardly can get more current and may damage the LPUS if operate long enough
Double check your connection.

What is power you used on LaserCad cutting setting?

By the way, do NOT cool the tube below 18'C or you may have moist or thermal shock!!!!
Cool is good for a laser but not "COLD". Always set the temp between 20~25'C. That's all you need


Marco

[John]

Marco:

Yes, the tube do have a ground wire and the connections are secure.

Max power at 95 in manufactures parameters with 20000 pwm.
Cutting power between 40 and 100% on laser cutting setting.
From 60% onwards the current stay at 20mA.
I did verify the ammeter by connecting a 2nd ammeter in series. Both meters read the same current. (tube not overdrived)

I installed a water heater and it did not make any differance at all @ 20 -> 25 C.
There is no moisture in the tube's center tube, thus no crack.

I was out of town for a bit.
After I returned the power dramacticly decreased.
Previously I could cut at 60%, but nada.

Power supply? or tube?

[mixer911]

I just had a 100w reci fail on me and it sounds similar to what you are experiencing. The spot tests photos look just like mine did also. The spot started to go to the outside. I was getting about 20 mA then it stopped working all together. Replaced the tube with one of light objects spt 100w tubes and now it is better than ever. I am happy with the spt.

[John]

Marco,

What do you think about this tube??
The whole project grind to a halt.
Is there a possibility of warrenty repair?? and how do I go about it??

John

[Techgraphix]

The lasers spot doesn't look right.. It has to be a dark round spot when you hold it near the laser's output..
If it is perfectly round near the lasertube you should check your alignment or even broken mirrors or lens..
If not: ask for a replacement.. The tube itself is broken during transport probably..
(Although not RECI, mine's has a spot of only 2.3mm diameter, perfectly round and at a distance of ~ 1.5 meter!! So almost no divergence... I know that a spotsize of 5-8mm would be better.. that's Optic Science..)

Kees

[Tech_Marco]

John:

What is your order#? Send it to me and let me check the status of your tube
If you can't get solid burn on a piece of paper with current in 10mA or above in a distance about 2~3ft, then most likely the tube is bad


Marco

[John]

Marco

Order number = 203911.

Attached is a snap of the label.

John

[Tech_Marco]

John:

The tube is still under the warranty coverage. What you need to do is to shoot a video to show the issue. Then, take a few pictures showing the Reci label and the serial number that marked on the laser head. Please pay a little attention of what you have to do on the video. Do not escape any procedure I asked you to do so because Reci may decline your claim if they don't see enough info from your video.

Here you go:

1) On the video, please show complete system that is running with chiller is On and temperature is showing.
2) Show the current running through the tube
3) Show the Reci tube label
4) Show the serial number that is marked on the laser head
5) Demonstrate the weak output by placing a cardboard about 12" away from tube and fire it up with 10mA and 25mA.

Once completed, send me the video file and the images. Please, no Youtube because it is blocked in China. You may want to upload to the Cloud and send me the link to download.
After I received it and reviewed it, I'll forward it to the RECI for approval. Once they approved, what you need to do is to pay the shipping cost and Reci will send you a brand new S2 tube through DHL Express Mail


Marco

[John]

Thanx for the feed back Marco. I will do this.
John.

[Tech_Marco]

John, time is ticking. If we file the claim late then RECI will decline the request. So, please be hurry up to send us the require video and pictures to show the tube.

Marco

[John]

Marco:

I replaced the suspect tube with a new tube and difference is phenomenal.

The suspect tube was set to run @ 98% power and the working one @ 40% power.

I made 2 videos, the suspect tube and the working tube.

The link to these are:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5emog14u9fio ... youSa?dl=0

Thanx
John

[Tech_Marco]

Sorry John, the video didn't show enough information.
They need to see the whole setup from the operation; laser current, water temperature, and the result of the burning
Plus, you need to show the 'serial' number showing on the laser tip (the metal head).

On your two videos, it really lack of those information. Laser was firing, so what was wrong? You need to be more specific.

Marco

[John]

Hi Marco
The second video and pictures are available.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5emog14u9fio ... youSa?dl=0

I run a normal 30liter water cooling system with antifreeze (greenish), not an industrial chiller.
The temperature is monitored closely when cutting long runs with highish power – not max power! The water temperature never exceeds 24 degrees C.
(The replacement tude have +- 60hours and run very well. The suspect tube had far less than 12 hours useful life.)

I cannot give you anything with laser current above 5mA. The 10mA and 25mA you requested is way bejond this tube.
As you can see from the video the setup power = 99%. The tube current fluctuates between 0 an 5mA. This setup do not even cut the paper stencil.

I presume you have seen the mails that I sent to the sales department with regards to my other enquiries.
It seem that the contactus@lightobject.com email is not working

Thanx John

[Tech_Marco]

Hello John:

Good news! Reci approved the claim and we will ship you a new S2 80W from China through DHL Express.
There is a last step you need to do and a new tube will be on your house in 10 days.

Crack the tube and take pictures of parts removed from the tube. See attached picture as an example.
Make sure that the serial number is clearly shown on the picture


Thank you for your patience


Marco