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This is just a general comment about the laser power supply electronics. 
To keep sizes small, modern power supply components are worked fairly 
hard; most use switchmode power conversion technology and the capacitors 
run a very high ripple current. All electronics have a lifetime that is 
dependent on the conditions of use and these components are probably run 
at good design parameters but still operate at elevated temps and are 
probably "tired". With aging, the Equivalent Series Resistance of the 
capcitors increases and the ripple voltage increases. What I am saying 
then is that it may operate the laser if you keep the old one, but the 
performance is likely dropping off or may do so in the near future. From 
the company perspective it is more likely to give good performance and 
happy customers if they are cycled at the same time.

I can't comment on the error messages. I would trust Zeiss since they 
know these messages. Our Zeiss service has been very good with getting 
the correct parts first time based on the system messages and symptoms.

I have no association with any commercial interests.

Dale Callaham

Graham Wright wrote:
> Search the CONFOCAL archive at 
> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
> Hello,
> We are having some problems with our Zeiss LSM 510 META argon laser (488 
> et al). Basically it's getting old and due a replacement, it's no longer 
> producing the power it should and we're also getting frequent error 
> messages:
> /Object: COM3
> Read time out
> Object: COM3
> Read time out
> Object: AOTF Driver
> IsHwAccessible failed/
> which means we need to restart part, or all, of the system. Zeiss have 
> told us that we should replace the laser and power-supply and the 
> problem will be resolved. We will be replacing the laser as soon as 
> possible, but I wondered what the advice from the list is regards 
> whether or not we need to replace the power-supply too? It adds quite a 
> lot to the price. So, from your experiences, should the power-supply be 
> replaced at the same time as the laser? If we don't could 
> our communication problems persist?
> Thanks in advance for your help.
> Graham
> -----
> Dr Graham Wright
> Microscopy & Imaging Facility
>  
> Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory
> 1 Research Link
> National University of Singapore
> Singapore 117604
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