Power Output of Tubes

[sshwarts]

I bought a 40W tube (LSR-JLD40WCO2) in July that has about 2 hours of time on it so far. I managed to acquire a calibrated power meter and measured the output of the tube (at the tube). In tops out at 35W. While it works fine for my purposes, I'm just curious how they measure output from the manufacturer. Is it a peak output or a continuous? (the meter measures over a :20 second period) If I were to measure a 35W tube, would I really see more like 30W?

Thanks,
Scott

[NickWL]

From what I've read in several months of following this forum daily, 35 watts is the top-end output from a K40 ('nominal' 40-watt) cheap 'n cheerful chinese laser (as sold on eBay for peanuts and claiming a 40-watt output). This seems to be fairly consistent.
Whether this applies to your specific tube I can't say. I do know that fine-tuning of mirrors, working temperature and focus can make a heck of a difference.
Nick

[Tech_Marco]

To "sshwarts", the actual power from a 700~720mm is 30~32W only or peak at 35W by over driven (not recommended). Unfortunately most eBay sellers listed it as 40W. I feel bad to list 35W but no other choice. If I don't do it, most buyer thought that it is not as good as those eBayer seller selling "40W" tube.

The 850mm tube output should be true 35~38W. Again, I put a integer number "40W". Then again, the ebayer sell it as 45W or 50W in which the so called 45 or 50W is totally out of reach.

Then someone claiming that a 1.2M (1200mm or 4ft) tube can reach 80W, that is a shame. The max of a 1.2M with an inner coating can delivery up to 68~70W. 72W by over driven could be possible but shorter the life span. 80W? I doubt it!

Hope you got a better idea how tube is being rated in the market.


Marco