Extend life of extra laser tube

[Justin Stark]

I ordered an extra Reci 80W laser tube when I purchased my laser. G. Weike tells me I should fire the tube once per month to keep the tube in good condition. I thought this was interesting, thought I'd pass it along.

[Bert Kemp]

Sounds like a ---- to me more trouble then what its worth.Take out the tube put in the new one fire it up take it out and put the other back in . align the mirrors and do this every month for the next 2 or 3 years. I think I'll wait till my tuve dies order a new one and d o it once:rolleyes:

[Justin Stark]

Yeah, I am hoping I didn't make a mistake ordering an extra tube and having it go to waste on the shelf. Live and learn!

[Rich Harman]

Not sure why firing it every couple months would extend its life. It would however verify that it hadn't gone bad while being stored.

[Justin Stark]

Kind of what I was thinking unless it has to do with getting the gases flowing? Who knows

[Dave Sheldrake]

Just the opposite, it's normal mode of failure is gas contamination caused by oxidation of the electrodes (Laser tubes actually have a small amount of oxygen in them) so firing them up once a month etc will shorten their life not prolong it on a stored tube.

The gasses don't actually flow anywhere (other than in FG lasers) (surprisingly you can turn normal DC tubes into FG lasers) :)

[Bill George]

They knew the tube life would be gone after a few years in storage anyway, so the excuse was that you did not follow instructions. :)

[Justin Stark]

Anyone need an 80W Reci Laser tube? haha

No, I'll just have to end up taking my chances. Live and learn.

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

80 watt Reci... that wouldn't have cost much, did it?

[Bill George]

Anyone need an 80W Reci Laser tube? haha

No, I'll just have to end up taking my chances. Live and learn.

Have you unpacked the tube yet? The best way you can extend the life of that spare tube is send it back for credit. :D

[Justin Stark]

It was $300. Saved on shipping too since it came with my laser

[Gordon Lytle]

I think you were not taken care of by the vendor. They took advantage of you really and let you run with it. Now I know who not to do business with. Thanks

[Scott Marquez]

It was $300. Saved on shipping too since it came with my laser
Sale it in the classified section here. I don’t know what State you are in, but if you were within driving distance from me I would gladly buy it from you, chances are, that others might want it.
Scott

[Kev Williams]

Since the 80 watt RECI I USE every day still works like new after 4-1/2 years, I honestly see no reason to believe one that's sitting on a shelf untouched is just going to go bad. If it DOES, it was likely going to go bad quickly anyway.