Well, just burnt another LPS. I was aligning mirrors and on my second test fire I heard a strange sound and saw a flash of light through the hole between the laser side and the LPS side. Couldn’t see anything burned until I unplugged the flyback connector and there it was. Don’t know where it arced to but I’m now on my 4th LPS. I bought an expensive LPS after the previous one blew. I guess it doesn’t matter the cost so I’m going to buy 2 of the $68.00 ones but because I have a spare, the installed one will last.
Thats rather worrying considering that is a screwed plug, where the hell could that have arched to???. I have a similar connector on mine, maybe a touch of insulation tape once it’s put together just to help it out.
Proximity matters a lot with high voltage. It seems like it must have been very close to something, perhaps the case itself? So yeah, adding some kind of electrical insulator around it would probably help prevent future arcing. Apologies if it seems like I’m stating the obvious.
Perhaps the core problem is not the supply?
When the supply is unloaded it will violently arc through/around almost anything.
Adding insulation almost never works when there is no load, I’ve tried. It can jump 2".
Will the supply still arc if you position the output a couple of inches from ground? Be careful.
What coolant are you using?
I would also check the wire connection to the laser tube itself. It would make sense that if it has a poor connection the bulk of the load would land on the LPS itself (and any shorter path to ground.) also what power do you normally run your jobs at?
Buy a tds water test meter and check water conductive ( less than 100 is ok) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Z-Series-Intelligent-Z80-Co2-Laser-Power-Supply-80W-For-Laser-Engraving-Machine-With-LCD/32806003257.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Gfuy
My power supply has more built in p rotection than mos t and is a high quality unit and will work on tubes from 40 to 80 watts.
Maybe you have a dud tube, what was the length of time you got with the other rpwr supplys?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Z-Series-Intelligent-Z80-Co2-Laser-Power-Supply-80W-For-Laser-Engraving-Machine-With-LCD/32806003257.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Gfuy
I guess don would love to get the broken supply to investigate
I will check the connection at the tube. I run 90% because I only cut
acrylic. I use a diamond drag bit with my CNC machine.
I’m going to eliminate the ceramic connector, I only use distilled water.
Thanks.
that means that path was easier than the tube itelf, one or more connections may be loose or the tube may be failing? how old is the tube itself?
Less than a year old.