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Being sold a CO2 laser with no milliamp meter fitted is like being given and then driving a high performance car with no rev counter. You don't know the idle speed, where the power band is or what the maximum RPM is. Inevitably that is going to end in disaster.
Sellers have no excuse for supplying a £2000 machine without a £14 milliamp meter fitted to it.
Please fit one as soon as you get your machine, check the manufacturers specs for the tube so you can make sure you never over drive it. If they can't give you the specs don't buy the machine or the tube you may be thinking of ordering!!!
This milliamp meter has proved to be highly accurate when compared to a decent multimeter. Stay with the analogue meter as digitals can lag significantly at the lower end of the market.
I include the figures obtained from my supposed 50 watt laser.
I think it is highly likely that this laser is not producing anywhere near 50 watts and is more likely nearer 40 watts or less.
The meter can be purchased next day from Amazon.
https://amzn.to/3X1YWg9
The case can be 3D printed.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3872863
In my case the cutouts for the cable weren't required so I edited the file in Fusion 360 to remove them. Use supports where I suggest in the video if required.
The milliamp rating for my machine is a maximum of 16ma!
Check your tubes rating with the seller or manufacturer.
Readings from the analogue meter.
5 % - 2.9
10% - 4.5
20% - 3.1
30% - 5.9
40% - 8.9
50% - 11.6
60% - 14.2
70% - 17
80% - 19.1
90% - 21.1
Readings from the digital meter.
5% - 2.66
10% - 4.24
20% - 3.06
30% - 5.73
40% - 8.9
50% - 11.65
60% - 14.4
70% - 17.09
80% - 19.42
90% - 21.63
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