LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Hi All, I have added a milliamp meter to find the max power % for my system. Would appreciate some input with regards to my decision to run the machine at 75% power when cutting. (Purchased my machine primarily for cutting 6mm plywood)

When cutting at 75% power, my meter reads 25 milliamps. Am I correct with using 75% power for daily use of the machine?

Here are the specs for my Reci tube:

Power: 130W (150W peak)
Triggering Voltage: 30KV
Operating Voltage: 26KV
Current: 25~26mA (28mA max)
Triggering Current: 9mA (At which the laser beam is smooth and round shape)

Just looking for confirmation as to whether or not I'm in the safe window for maximizing tube life. Thanks!

You are figuring this correctly, what a lot of peeps do not realize is that the % of power will be different on each machine, for instance on my 130w EFR tube 50% is the max military power and safe power that I use normally is 45%. And most tubes do not have any real identifying marking so that the max current can be easily determined. I believe it to be a function of how well the HV power supply is matched to the tube.

Thanks Gene.