Kev Williams
07-21-2015, 7:18 PM
My BIL has a Gravograph LS800. Other than the work area is 12 x 24 to my 24 x 24, and that his is connected via USB while mine uses a parallel cable, the machines are essentially identical 40 watt machines.
Mine is going on 11 years old, his 8 or 9 years old.
Mine still works like new (knock on my head)- in fact, after changing the mirror over the lens a few months ago, I've had to dial back the power settings on jobs I've had saved for 8 years.
About 2 months ago my BIL informs me his laser just up and started working at about half power. 90% of the work his machine does is cedar boxes. He said it was like someone flipped a switch, and half his power went away...
So I tell him it sounds like his tube may be going. Our NH rep went out to his place with his power tester, and sure enough, it's putting out 20 watts max.
The machine passed a mirror alignment test. The power supply also showed proper output at all connections at all times. No error lights on the tube or circuit boards (to the best of my knowledge).
He's been running every night since then, and nothing has changed, whatsoever. It hasn't gotten better, but it's no worse either. Other than the half output power it does everything as it should. All engraving he does- wood, Rowmark, leather- looks perfectly normal, just takes longer to do it.
Just seem funny to me that exactly half the power goes away between a power off and the next power on, and works exactly the same from then on.
Dave, Dan, Steve, any other laser guru's-- would something other than 'the tube is going out' cause this?
I'm asking because he's willing to give the $850 Ebay refill guys a chance, and we're fixing to do this pretty soon. I don't know anyone here who's gone that route, so he's going to be the guinea pig. FWIW they have a 1 year warrantee and 100% feedback, I see no reason not to try it. But if there may be some wire or connection to check, OR, some other issue not related to a 'refill' I should know and inquire about, that info would be very much appreciated!
:) Thanks in advance!
Mine is going on 11 years old, his 8 or 9 years old.
Mine still works like new (knock on my head)- in fact, after changing the mirror over the lens a few months ago, I've had to dial back the power settings on jobs I've had saved for 8 years.
About 2 months ago my BIL informs me his laser just up and started working at about half power. 90% of the work his machine does is cedar boxes. He said it was like someone flipped a switch, and half his power went away...
So I tell him it sounds like his tube may be going. Our NH rep went out to his place with his power tester, and sure enough, it's putting out 20 watts max.
The machine passed a mirror alignment test. The power supply also showed proper output at all connections at all times. No error lights on the tube or circuit boards (to the best of my knowledge).
He's been running every night since then, and nothing has changed, whatsoever. It hasn't gotten better, but it's no worse either. Other than the half output power it does everything as it should. All engraving he does- wood, Rowmark, leather- looks perfectly normal, just takes longer to do it.
Just seem funny to me that exactly half the power goes away between a power off and the next power on, and works exactly the same from then on.
Dave, Dan, Steve, any other laser guru's-- would something other than 'the tube is going out' cause this?
I'm asking because he's willing to give the $850 Ebay refill guys a chance, and we're fixing to do this pretty soon. I don't know anyone here who's gone that route, so he's going to be the guinea pig. FWIW they have a 1 year warrantee and 100% feedback, I see no reason not to try it. But if there may be some wire or connection to check, OR, some other issue not related to a 'refill' I should know and inquire about, that info would be very much appreciated!
:) Thanks in advance!