Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

How to Register on LPF | LPF Donations

Fan for Argon laser

Spiffing, thanks Dave.

Have you got an estimate on the CFM for the fan?
and do you know approximate dimensions of it?

Sorry about asking you to do this, but mine is all packed up in a box:worthy:

Rob
 





robjdixon said:
Spiffing, thanks Dave.
Have you got an estimate on the CFM for the fan?
and do you know approximate dimensions of it?
Sorry about asking you to do this, but mine is all packed up in a box:worthy:
Rob
Click to expand...

JDSU2214diagram.jpg


Peace,
dave
 
IIRC you need about 220 CFM. An automotive style blower will probably work, although one with a mains voltage motor would be more convenient.
 
Silvershot said:
So you mean that a 115 CFM fan would not work with a multiline argon laser?
Click to expand...

If you read the picture I posted above (which is from the manual for the 22XX series), it says to use a fan that is rated for 185CFM in free air. That means without restriction. Once the fan (rated at 185CFM) is hooked up to the laser and so has to deal with the obstruction of the slots, fins, tube, hose, etc., it should still be moving 115CFM of air.

If you started with a fan that did 115CFM in free air, it would be below that when dealing with the restrictions/obstructions of the laser.

The laser will still work fine with less air moving. It will just be running hotter. The hotter it runs, the shorter its life ;)

People run these with less airflow all the time. However, if you want to be up to the recommended spec's of the manufacturer, you need the 185CFM rated blower.

Peace,
dave
 
Last edited:
The required airflow depends on the amount of power you run through the tube. The vast majority of power consumed by a gas laser turns into waste heat, and ion lasers are about the worst in that regard. Get it too hot and you will destroy your tube in seconds.

Have you read the argon section of Sam's laser FAQ? If not, go do that before you try powering up your new toy. Argon tubes are likely gonna get hard to come by as most of the applications that used them are being retrofitted with solid state lasers.
 
Just to let everyone know, I've grabbed Rob's fan. Thanks a lot for your offers everyone :)

Peter
 
Last edited:
Hi again. I just wanted to ask, what if the diam. of the vent hose is 10 cm? Rob could not find his so I had to look up to local stores but they only come in 10 cm diameter. Will it work with the laser and fan? If not directly, can I do a mod and get it to fit?
 
That one projector company to the rescue!

1501c808.jpg


The fans from the 140 kick some serious butt. One of these days I'm going to make a more permanent (or "professional" looking) fan mount for these 4 fans...
 
Silvershot said:
I already have one coming, or you list this for your argon?
Click to expand...

Yeah - I saw that you had one coming - but I thought other might be interested in this as an alternative - the Stock blower from the Schematic is quite expensive..

I may pick up this blower to test out with mine..
 
Pontiacg5 said:
That one projector company to the rescue!

1501c808.jpg


The fans from the 140 kick some serious butt. One of these days I'm going to make a more permanent (or "professional" looking) fan mount for these 4 fans...
Click to expand...

Is this really safe for your argon? :thinking:
 
I use regular 10cm ducting, and simply seal the edges to the fan with several wraps of electrical tape- it has not done me wrong yet!

Is your fan too big?
 
Silvershot, the fans from the projectors are VERY powerful, I bet 4 of them could handle an argon. I put 4 into a box once and they generated a heap of pressure!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top