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View Full Version : How I cool my laser tube. Have been doing it for about 2 years.



Clark Pace
05-13-2014, 11:22 PM
I make tutorials videos on how to use china laser cutters and some basic mods. It's for fun and I don't sell anything from it, so I hope it is ok to post one of my videos here.

So here is how I cool my laser without having to spend hundreds of dollars. I have not heard of anyone doing this, but maybe others have.

I hope you enjoy this 30 sec video. Enjoy! P.S. I didn't do much editing so sorry for the sloppy look. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3dPFr57v40


Forgot to mention. Remember to buy the water cooler that has a compressor in it , and actually cools the water. The water gets nice and cold, 9 ferinheight.

Rich Harman
05-14-2014, 2:42 AM
The water gets nice and cold, 9 ferinheight.

I know that is typo, but how cold does it keep the water when the laser is being used continuously and how many Watts is your laser?

Adrian Page
05-14-2014, 7:26 AM
Water freezes solid at 9 Fahrenheit. Did you mean 9 Celsius?

Adrian

Ray Beaty
05-14-2014, 7:40 AM
How do you gauge the temperature of the water when it's running?

Ray

gary l roberts
05-14-2014, 10:26 AM
model you are using. I love a good hack....more pics?

Bert Kemp
05-14-2014, 12:00 PM
Yes what watt is your laser, how many hours a day do you run it, what brand and model cooler did you get from wally world, how much water does it hold and what water pump do you use in it?????????????

Matt McCoy
05-14-2014, 8:13 PM
Maybe this (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Primo-Hot-Cold-Water-Dispenser-White/23848191?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=68049861349&category=0%3A1072864%3A1045879%3A56812&client_guid=1077fc67-51f7-46d0-b830-8382c60a03ca&config_id=2&parent_item_id=14904251&guid=0163331c-c9fc-4992-8f26-06a2f7631c67&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n) one?

Clark Pace
05-15-2014, 10:25 AM
Hi,

So my first china machine was a 40watt el cheapo, and now my second machine is a Redsail X700 50watt. I only run it a few hours a day up to 5 at max some times. The cooler keeps the water pretty cool until I do long runs. I have used a cw3000 and cw5000 chiller. I would say it's better than the 3000 water chiller. I'm not sure about the cw5000 since it up and died. Well the fan works, but the compressor on it does not cool any more.

I don't remember what pump. I'll have to pull it out and see. I replaced the water pump that came with my redsail,because it would not fit. So the pump in the video is smaller, but it still move the water pretty good. As far as how much water it hold. Maybe a gallon and hafl?

Brian Mueller
06-21-2014, 12:46 AM
Clark,

Is the water easy to exchange on these coolers? If not, are you using any additives to prevent mold growth? Pretty cool idea, thanks for sharing! I think I'll be surfing craigslist for this for my 40w now... ;)

Clark Pace
06-29-2014, 11:42 AM
Very easy to chang out the water. Simply hold down the water dispense button and put a jug underneath

David Somers
06-29-2014, 1:21 PM
Clark,

It is a bit hard in the video to see how you have plumbed your feed and return hoses? Are they just sitting in the well of the cooler through the central hole or do you actually have them plumbed in somehow?

Thanks,

Dave

Clark Pace
06-29-2014, 9:54 PM
I just took off the top. Put my pump in the the water and the return hose is also just sitting in the water also. I was planning to laser cut a new lid, and add barbs on the top, but never got to it. The plus would be the water would not evaporate as fast, and it would loo a little better. I will take a pick next time I'm at my shop and send it too you.

David Somers
06-29-2014, 11:42 PM
Thanks Clark!

That is a good idea.

Julian Ashcroft
06-30-2014, 3:41 AM
This sounds interesting, how much water does the cooler hold? Had a look at the manufacturers video on youtube and it doesn't look that much. I was thinking of going down the mini fridge route and putting a container and pump inside.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ChillQuiet-Mini-Fridge-17ltr-Black/dp/B0081YFGCY/ref=sr_1_7?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1404113829&sr=1-7&keywords=mini+fridge

stefano panusa
07-01-2014, 4:01 PM
This was a really great idea.. I wonder if people ever post their coolers on Craigslist for cheaper? Anyway, this type of setup could be used for other projects.. thank you so much for sharing!