Simmer Supply OFF

The "Simmer Supply OFF" error message can have several causes. In this guide, we will show all the possible reasons for a Simmer Supply OFF error in generation 1, 2, and 3 lasers.

NOTE: In generations 4 and 5, there are other reasons for the Simmer OFF message.

 

Tools:

• Philips head screwdriver
• Metric Hex headset
• Digital voltmeter (1000 volts DC preferred)

 

STEP ONE: Test the Control Board

• Turn OFF the system

• Locate the Control Board on your machine
• In the Control Board, located in the upper right section, the cable is identified as J24. (See Image below)
• Remove the connector on J24
• With one of the black Jumpers found in the Troubleshooting Service Kit, place it between Pin four and five (Counting from top to bottom), where the J24 connector was
• Turn ON the system
• Check if the "Simmer Supply Off" Error message continues to appear on the display
• If the message continues to appear, the Control Board must be changed

G1, G2 and G3 Rabbit Core Laser’s

G4 and G5 Control Board / Carries Board-PI

STEP TWO: Check Voltage at Contacts through the Flash Lamp Chamber

 Six Screws Flash Lamp Chamber:

• Turn the system ON
• Set your voltmeter to 1000 Volts DC
• Place the Red probe of the meter to the red wire side of the flash lamp and the black probe to the black wire side of the lamp
• Note the voltage reading on the meter
  
  

 

Four screws Flash Lamp Chamber (small):

•  Turn the system OFF

• Unscrew the flashlamp connector brass protector to expose the connectors (See image below)
• Turn the system ON
• Place the Red probe of the meter to the ferrule red wire side of the flash lamp and the black probe to the ferrule black wire side of the lamp
• Note the voltage reading on the meter

 

Laser Pump Chamber G4 and G5

• Locate the Term Block Panel on the left side of the laser

• Test the voltage across the lamp by touching the voltmeter probes to the screws on the terminal block panel

The ideal voltage should be 100 VDC ± 10 VDC.

If the voltage is outside the indicated range, continue with the following steps.

 

STEP THREE: Check the LED lights on the Simmer Board

If the Laser is provided with an AC Simmer Board:

• With the system on, place the Simmer Board on the sides of the machine
• Check the LED lights that are lit on the AC Simmer Supply
• If only the Power ON of the board is on, the Simmer Supply must be replaced
• If the Power is on and the red Bad Lamp LED is on, perform a visual inspection of the lamp in step four
• If no LED is lit, check that the board is receiving AC voltage. If you are receiving AC voltage and all the LEDs are off, replace the AC Simmer Supply

If the Laser uses a DC Simmer Supply:

• Unplug the Trigger Transformer Quick Connector (See image below)
• Set the voltmeter to 1000VDC and place the leads in the plug on the side of the Quick Connector that goes to the Simmer Supply (black and white wires)
• First, turn ON the Main Switch (Red Switch)
• Pay attention to the voltmeter when passing the key. The voltmeter will briefly show a voltage spike. Average voltage should be ~ 250VDC
• Note the voltage reading on the meter
• If there is no voltage reading, the Simmer Supply must be replaced.

 

STEP FOUR: Voltage out of range 100VDC +/- 10VDC

 If the voltage across the Flash Lamp Chamber is within a range of 600VDC to 750VDC, check:

• Last water and filter change. That is not more than 3 months
• If the water the customer is using is from Laserstar?
• If it is not from Laserstar, ask the Customer if they have verified the water conductivity properties.
• Compare those properties of water with Laserstar's recommendations. They must be between 0.4 and 0.75 Microsiemens / cm³

If the voltage exceeds 750 VDC, perform a visual inspection of the interior of the Flash Lamp Chamber.

• Turn the system OFF
• Remove the chamber white box lid (4mm Hex Key)
• Remove the two screws holding the top reflector on (2.5mm Hex Key). NOTE: If the ceramic reflectors are used, there will not be any screws
• Remove the top reflector held by the two white lips
• inspect and take a picture of the chamber inside (Lamp, contacts, reflectors)

Damaged Chamber Parts

 

STEP FIVE: Trigger Transformer Test (Generation 1,2 and 3)

• Turn the system OFF
• Remove the top cover from the Flash Lamp Chamber
• Check the Triger Transformer Height as shown in the following picture

• Place and secure the top cover of the flash lamp chamber
• Remove the screws from the black box on the Flash Lamp Chamber

• Inspect the trigger transformer. If it appears broken or swollen, replace the trigger transformer.

• With pliers, hold the lower nut of the screw where the red wire of the Trigger Transformer is connected, and with another pair of pliers, loosen the upper nut to disconnect the Trigger Transformer

• Place the end of the cable as close to the screw as possible without touching the screw (Hold the trigger transformer, not the cable), and turn on the system. You must be aware that when turning the key, you must check if a spark occurs between the end of the cable and the screw

•  If no spark occurs, the Trigger Transformer must be replaced. 

In newer generations of lasers, the "Simmer OFF" message often does not refer to the lamp or any other component discussed in this article. In these generations, if any component fails that could compromise the lamp, the software shuts off the Simmer Supply to prevent the lamp from turning on. The message "Simmer OFF" will be displayed on the screen.