I know this is a bit OT, becuase it's not really computer related, but the
hardware is at least 23 years old, so that's my excuse for posting to the
list...
I've got a 35mW HeNe Laser + Power supply that I picked up today for next
to nothing. It seems to be having some problems - the laser (somtimes)
blinks a few times when I first turn it on, and then stops. From the
sound of the power supply it's either a loose connection (which I doubt
after opening it up and taking a good look around) or there's a problem
with the power supply.
Now, I've never really worked on a HV power supply before, and I'm trying
to be careful when I play with things. First off, does anyone have a
general idea of what sized dummy load ("resisitor") I should try haning
off of the HV output to properly load it? I noticed that the laser tube
has 3x27kohm resistors in series, would a couple watt approx 81kohm
resistor be a good idea?
Also, does anyone have an idea for a failure mode to look for? I've got
an O'scope, dmm, and various other tools at my disposal, but no
'authentic' HV test/mesurement gear.
I'm just looking for general guidelines.
Thanks!
Pat
--
"The Microsoft/IBM FORTRAN was adequate for teaching FORTRAN 77. But the
performance was AMAZING! It could actually take longer to run a benchmark
like sieve of Erastothanes with compiled FORTRAN than with interpreted
BASIC."
-- Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)
http://dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2040637020924.gif