Water pump for a Co2 laser

[sopark4000]

I am planning on purchasing a water cooled 40W Co2 laser and I'm not sure what kind of water flow I need through the tube. What should the pump be rated to in GPM (Gallons Per Minute). i've been searching the forum but can't find the answer so any help is appreciated. Also if anybody has a particular pump they recommend I am open to suggestions. :thanks:

 

[Arayan]

Distilled water works well. With regard to the pump, I use a standard pump for aquarium, but you can find better

http://laserpointerforums.com/f43/first-test-diy-40w-co2-laser-66187.html

 

[Meatball]

Go to your local Menards, and they should have a line of fountain pumps. The smallest one works just fine. It should fit the same tubing you need for the tube.

Its not so much about moving some quota of water particles, its more about simply keeping the water moving. You want to inject flow into the cathode end of the tube, and let it exit from the anode end. The OC can get sort of warm on Co2s...

So.. just keep water moving through somehow, and it will be fine. Its not an exact science.

 

[aryntha]

Same here in experimenting with 532's 40w -- I've just been using an aquarium pump. I did get one for a larger aquarium to be on the safe side but it's nothing exotic, and I have it circulating through a high tech device called a bucket.

(The laser is RF driven and i've been getting crazy reflected power that I haven't conquered yet via tuner/transmatch, but heat dissipation seems to not be an issue.)

So there's not a whole lot to it, especially in the 40w range.

 

[sopark4000]

Ok sounds good. Me and aryan talked a bit about it not to long ago when I saw the thread on his 40W Co2. I have a pump rated to 95 gallons per hour so from what all of you are saying that will be more than enough even bordering on over kill but it can't hurt (watch me end up destroying the cooling jacket with to much water pressure). Thanks for the answers and help everyone. :beer: