Hi, I run a RECI W8 since 4 years (about 3000 hours) without problem but it started few days ago to lose power (80W where I had 150W before). I also noticed an intermitant new humming noise that comes from the tube (not from the stepper motors) and when this sound can be heard, a glow appears inside the tube close to the cathode. Since it’s an intermitant problem (one minute correct, one minute in that condition), does this indicate a faulty laser tube that need to be replaced or a bad power supply?
After 3000 operating hours I will probably replace both the tube and the power supply. You can always keep the power supply as an emergency reserve, but the tube is probably gone.
After 4 years and 3000 hours, the fault is most likely the tube going bad, but (IMO) you may as well replace the high voltage power supply at the same time because it’s the next thing to fail.
AFAICT, all claimed tube lifetimes are aspirational: “Up to 10,000 hours!” The warranty period, which has surely expired on your tube, gives a better indication of the actual expected lifetime in normal service.
Is that by measurement or estimation based on reduced cutting speed? Either way, it’s a dramatic change!
