Need Help!- Synrad F48-2 25w RF Laser Issue

[vashadow]

We have a Synrad F48-2 25w RF Laser that is losing power over a short time.

We have done alot of testing:

Run at 100% power and the power drops off to nothing in about 5mins, start lowering the power the laser starts lasing again.

Run at 40% and get about 20min before it starts having issues, we notice a pulse like effect as it tryes to cut thru materal and keeps skipping spots on the cut line. after about 35min it quites lasing at all. drop power again it starts lasing for a little while longer.

opened the electronics side of the laser and found nothing looks burnt or tosted. nice and clean, almost looks brand new.

I have read many posts about caps and such going bad, how do I test for this and how do I know which ones?

Also I was thinking maby the laser needs re-gassed, but I am under the impression that if it was a gas problem the laser would not fire in the first place.

we where thinking a heat realted issue as time seems to be a factor and if you let it "cool" down it starts working again, but one its cold as ice to the touch with the big fans blowing on it and two why would it start lasing again when we turn the power down.

Sounds more like the controler is having issues, but I dont know how to test it. I can fix the caps if I can figure out which one.

to see pics of the inside of the laser take a look here
Index of /Laser

also the optics are perfectly clean, as we belived this was the issue first. We then removed the 90deg mirror at the exit optic and when the laser stops working it does not even mark paper at the exit optic.

[Tweakie]

The only caps I have ever had any trouble with are these Silver Mica ones.

Tweakie.

[vashadow]

I have ordered a few and once they come in I will replace both.

I will let you know how it goes. thanks.