HP-5517B - HP-5517C - HP-5517D - Hewlett Packard - Agilent

HP/Hewlett Packard/Agilent 5517 Laser Heads/Transducers (Refurbed)

These are 5517B, 5517C, or 5517D lasers that were taken out of service due to the HeNe laser tube not staying lit. This is the result of the tube drop-out current gradually rising with use until the point where it coincides with the normal operating current. It is not uncommon for HeNe laser tubes to develop this condition and yet still have decent output power and significant life remaining. Installing a new tube - at nearly the cost of a new laser - would be the ideal solution. But by installing a HeNe laser power supply with a higher operating current, much more run time can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of a new tube. The replacement HeNe laser power supply installed in these lasers is set at a current that provides adequate headroom.

Sample Photos - All the lasers are in the same excellent condition.

The output power of these lasers after locking (READY on solid) is still well above the minimum HP/Agilent spec'd minimum of 180 uW. They have been tested in an interferometer to assure that the beat frequency is clean and stable. So they should meet all performance specifications. However, there is no way to know what their life expectancy will be, though it is likely to be thousands of hours.

The tubes in some of these lasers may be slow to start but do start eventually and will generally restart instantly or at least reasonably quickly. However, to assure reasonable starting time, do check that your DC power is within HP/Agilent specs, particularly the positive supply of +15 VDC, +/-0.3 V. If they do not start withint 30 seconds, turn off power for 10 seconds and try again. This is usually adequate.

Once started, the time to READY on solid is normal (around 4 minutes), the optical REF signal is clean and stable, and they should meet all HP/Agilent specifications.

Since these lasers have been modified and might be used in demanding applications, we will provide the following warranty:

First 10 days: If the laser fails to meet the specifications in the "Sam's Classified" listing, buyer may opt for 100 percent refund, free repair, or replacement. The laser may be returned for any other reason including that the case color doesn't match your decor for a 90 percent refund.
Next 80 days: If the laser fails to lock or the output power falls below 180 uW, or the beat frequency becomes unstable, free repair or replacement will be provided, or 75 percent refund of purchase price if repair or replacement is not possible.
In addition, if the HeNe laser power supply fails during the first 90 days and the tube doesn't start at all, repairs will be free.

Warranty void if failure resulted from improper installation, incorrect power wiring or voltages, lack of cooling, physical shock, being run over by a 10 ton truck, dropped down a flight of stairs, etc. Warranty excludes shipping.

If your application is critical where down-time must be avoided, then I would recommend buying either a new laser, or one that has low hours and runs without modification. But a new laser from Agilent will typically be 15 or 20 times my price, or 3 or 4 times as much for a used one which comes close to meeting new specifications, likely pulled from service due to an electronic failure and subsequently repaired, or due to a production line shutting down.

But if you're willing to take a chance with little risk (except time and the cost of shipping), then these lasers may be adequate, or may serve as a low cost spare.

Discount available with trade-in of your HP/Agilent laser(s).

Return to Metrology Lasers Section or Table of Contents of Sam's Classified Page.