mA - MILLIAMP METER INSTALL - CNC Co2 Laser Engraving / Cutting Machine - How to install ammeter

[@42Pursuit]

Exactly what I was looking for. Clear, straight forward, and well spoken. Thanks for posting this video!

[@MWLaser]

no prb. glad it was helpful. cheers Matt

[@007Greenalien]

Hey Matt! I really appreciate your videos! I used this video to install an milliamp meter, and I am not very savvy at electrical wiring, I managed to do this. I actually did this prior to operating my Chinese laser continuously. Thanks for the information in this video, and the others as well. After the installation, I feel safe to operate the laser and have it last a while. You are awesome! Keep up the great videos!

[@MWLaser]

You're welcome :)

[@somerandomguy8564]

Thanks for making this video. Very helpful. I love the console you made for the Ruida controller and the ahmeter! I may have to make one myself.

[@manuelvillalpando6665]

Thank you for the video. This will come in handy when I install an ammeter on my Chinese K40 Laser machine.

[@MWLaser]

You are welcome!

[@tonycarrington4426]

thanks matt...... just purchased an 80w blue & black and want to install one of these thanks for doing this video

[@MWLaser]

no problem - enjoy your new machine

[@PeterWheeldon]

Excellent presentation as usual. Will be fitting one to my machine AND I noticed the temp gauge. Mine is a little remote from the machine. Will be fitting that too. Word about grounding: My machine from China came with an NZ/Aus plug "adaptor" and that's where the ground stopped!! Had to change it to a NZ/Aus Lead.

[@MWLaser]

Good call!

[@jbrondos]

Is there an explanation as to why installing an ammeter is a good thing? Also, where is the Ruida setting which sets the maximum power which the laser will use (e.g., when Lightburn calls for 100%, the Ruida controller will interpret that as only 90% in order to help extend the lifespan of the laser tube (if I have done too terrible job of explaining that)?

[@georgepilch8396]

Hi Mat, great videos. I need some help. I have a chinese red/black which is playing upo something rotten. No matter what the power i select the laser fires full power and the meter shows 18ma. I have scoped the pwm inputon the power supply and can see very clearly the the correct pwm from lightburn is getting there. The control pin swings hi and low as it should. Sounds to me that the M80 power supply is ignoring the PWM signal and running at full power regardless. Can you help? Regards. George

[@gregutting6644]

Hi Matt, on you negative wire where you cut it, you would have noticed black insulation tape where the white wire joins the black, if you undo that insulation you will find if like mine, which is the same laser that the wires are just twisted together with tape around it and should be joined with a proper connection method. ie solder or connector.

[@JustinTyme1966]

Thank you for taking the time to make and post this video. So to simplify....the meter can be put "inline" with the power coming "from" the laser and no shunt is needed? This is the best video on how to install a mA meter that I've found.

[@MWLaser]

ammeter is installed inline of NEGATIVE cable of the laser PSU (not high voltage/RED Cable) as shown in the video. no additional connections required.

[@can5projects563]

just did mine and it works great TY.

[@MWLaser]

you're welcome - thanks

[@Martin-ll7jc]

Thanks mine works thanks for the video

[@MWLaser]

Good to hear

[@georgepilch8396]

Nice one Mat. I bought my 60Watt second hand, it already had an ammeter and is working fine. But I wonder if you can help me out. On the back of my machine is a Mains supply input socket and 3 other mains output sockets, clearly these may well be for chiller, exhaust and blower. The problem is someone has been in there and modified the wiring. These sockets run up to 2 relays inside the cabinet. They have also patched in and disabled the LED switch on the front panel. My question is, I wonder why, and maybe just maybe you may have some wiring details of the original arrangement. Keep up the good work. George

[@MWLaser]

can you send this message to me in an email, as it is easier to reply with more detail. Also more information and photo of relays you mentioned would be helpful. Cheers [e-mail]

[@can5projects563]

nice video mate

[@MWLaser]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@can5projects563]

@@MWLaser I have the same machine as you. I connected the amp meter but it does not do a thing will get another one maybe the 1st one is dead? I do get continuity sound with the voltmeter Amp + to laser Neg wire from PS to Neg terminal on Ampmeter

[@MWLaser]

@@can5projects563 maybe a faulty one, or its wired in reverse.

[@can5projects563]

@@MWLaser can i just change the wires?

[@MWLaser]

@@can5projects563 at 1.37 of this video it shows correct polarity for the mA Meter kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpa1dJ2hnZ6nkKM

[@angcoleman9040]

Thank you so much for this video Matt! Question on adding a mA meter to a brand new (never turned on) machine. Would you recommend installing it immediately before use? I have a 60w red/black and this is my first machine, I definitely don't want to kill the laser. My husband told me to hold off for a couple of months until we make sure there are no problems with the machine, as he's worried that installing it might cause OMTech to refuse a return in case there are other issues with the machine.

[@MWLaser]

I would install it, however if you are concerned about warranty, then that is your call.

[@3dgiftsromania]

I already have it installed in my laser, it came with it. Can you tell us what to look for when we read the milliamp meter ? What issues can appear with the laser and how to diagnose them using the miliamp meter ? Thank you for the great install tutorial and for all the videos you posted. You are a great inspiration for all of us.

[@MWLaser]

Look to make sure you do not go over the specified mA rating for your laser tube. if you notice that the percentage of power you cut at is needing to be increased this may indicate the tube is deteriorating. Eg.. hypothetical quick example, say you install mA meter and then record that a 60% cut is equal to 20mA on your mA today, and then some time later the same 60% cut is only reading 15mA this can indicate the tube is wearing out.

[@gpentsas]

Hello Matt and thanks for the video. Any particular reason why you go all the way to the PSU with the cabling instead of wiring the ammeter to the negative side of the laser?

[@MWLaser]

It is installed in series on negative side of laser on the connection between laser tube and the laser power supply.

[@Mekaproyects]

Hi Matt, I have a question and I hope you can help me please, ¿how do I know what the working range of the reci tubes is in milliampers, I want to know the one from 90 w to 100 w.

[@MWLaser]

RECI W2 Power: 90W RECI (100W peak) Triggering Voltage: 24KV Operating Voltage: 18KV Current: 26mA (28mA max) Length: 1230mm/48.4" Diameter: 80mm/3.15" Cooling: Water cool Water Cooling: Water chiller is required Water temperature: 20~25'C (68~77'F).

[@Mekaproyects]

@@MWLaser great, thanks a lot Matt, you helped me too much with this information

[@vaughanza]

Matt thanks for video. Do you have to calibrate the amp meter? and you say we need to earth the amp meter? I have the amp meter inside a 3D Printed box and don't see any earth on the meter. Any advice, thanks

[@MWLaser]

No you don't need to calibrate... no earth just + & - terminals

[@Catalysis1144]

Thanks for sharing, my amp meter didn't come with a cable does the cable going to amp meter have to be thick insulated like the one going from the -ve laser tube to the power supply?

[@MWLaser]

use the same/similar gauge wire as the negative wire on laser tube.

[@pgrosebud2012]

I just got a meter to install and I note that you mention the + and the - poles must be connected to the proper low power end of the wires that you cut. However, I find no + and - markings on my Chinese milliamp meter. Have any suggestions?

[@MWLaser]

Yes some gauges are very poorly marked, some so faint you can see only one marking it may be a + or - embossed in the plastic housing. The ones I have installed have the + on the Left hand side when looking at it from the back. If they are wired in reverse the gauge will not read positive mA, if this happens then switch them around. Cheers Matt

[@pgrosebud2012]

@@MWLaser I just took a close look with a magnifier and found what looks like a - sign on the right from the back side. The same side your video shows as -. Thanks. I'll hook it up tomorrow and see if magic smoke comes out of the machine!

[@stickeruae0078]

hy sir can u help me i have laser machine 100w when i turn machine with watter chiller ruida controller box light no 15 is burn also beep and machine lcd is bilinking if i turn off water chiller then machine is turn on with out any problem can u tell me whats worng with machine thankx

[@MWLaser]

this is not something I can assist with via youtube comments. email info to [e-mail]

[@frank.moerman]

Thanks for the video

[@MWLaser]

No problem!

[@henvan8737]

Did you purchase your red and black from an Australian suppler.

[@MWLaser]

yes - eBay supplier apparently distributed from Sydney, arrived within a week

[@marouaneladjel1907]

THINK YOU

[@MWLaser]

You're Welcome - Sorry I didn't see this comment earlier - Thank you. I'm glad you found the video helpful. Cheers Matt

[@ernestasjanuskevicius1978]

Can I use electronic apmeter? Which one is better?

[@MWLaser]

i prefer analog, but digital would be fine

[@bcer960interurban]

just curious how many milliamps is your max for the 80 watt tube? and where did you find that info??ThanksRay

[@MWLaser]

I tried to find this information for my particular tube (KH Laser) when I bought it but there is limited information. However I read on EFR Laser site that the operating current for an 80W tube is 28mA. Cloudray Laser Support have provided me with this information "The value for most 80W laser tubes is 25-28mA." Note: if you run the laser regularly at max power then you will reduce the lifespan of the tube, only set power to suit the material you are cutting. I found that I was cutting at 25mA for a job that only required 16mA this was achieved easily by slowing down the cut speed and reducing the power.

[@bcer960interurban]

@@MWLaser Thanks Matt, I have tried to find this info out, as I know that running at max power will reduce the lifespan of the tube. Much appreciated. Ray

[@chrismontgomery3976]

Quick question, why do need a meter?

[@MWLaser]

Using a mA meter allows you to monitor the power used by your laser, and also not exceed the manufacturer specs for power current of your tube.

[@JeremyCook]

Thanks!

[@MWLaser]

No problem!

[@chato555]

Very nice and informative video! Thanks. Can you make one how to install - connect -step-by-step simple Volt meter. Theres no such thing on YT :(

[@MWLaser]

a volt meter.... no, there is no need to install one, hence no videos on YT.

[@australianreptiles]

Good stuff mate!

[@MWLaser]

Thank you - I hope you found it helpful.

[@azfisher]

What did you use to cut the hole for the meter?

[@MWLaser]

The ammeter is mounted in acrylic console. I used the laser to cut holes for mounting. As can be seen in 1st edition video of the controller upgrade. Cheers Matt

[@tomatexelon]

Why do you need to know the MA current? How does it help you?

[@Blueyedevil2702]

You need to know the mA running through your laser tube in order not to "overdrive" the tube. For a 80W like he has, I think the top limit is around 28mA. If you keep the current running through your laser under that limit you will greatly extend the "life" of your CO2 laser tube. If you run too much current through the tube, the CO2 will break apart in C and O2 and your tube will become useless and will have to be replaced.

[@MWLaser]

Thanks @Blueydevil2702 - I missed answering this question however you have answered well. Thank You. For Australian Customers we now have these available in our webstore. mwlaser.com.au/product/mw-laser-30-50ma-ammeter-analog-amp-panel/

[@bobypopo]

What type of wire cable do I need?

[@MWLaser]

Hi, a 24AWG Low Voltage wire should be sufficient. Cheers

[@bobypopo]

Is there a way too adjust setup the machine so that when you choose 100% power thats your max milliamps 28mA. Instead of having too under 80%power?

[@MWLaser]

There is not a way to rescale the power settings so that the software 100% is (80%)28mA, however you can limit the maximum power that the laser will fire on the controller. In the example you give if your machine outputs 28mA at 80% power, You could set maximum power to 80% (to adjust on an Ruida Controller Press Power Button on control panel to set max and min power), then if you entered a value over 80% the laser would not fire. Buy doing this you would still need to enter the power level in the software for each cut layer under 80%.

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

There is an adjustment screw on many laser power supplies that will allow you to limit the maximum output of the power supply.

[@hunterg312]

what Guage wire is that?

[@MWLaser]

I mostly use AWG18 or AWG16 for these installations