Laser engraver power cap

[onis_uk]

Hi all,

I've got a cheap Laser engraver, Atomstack S10 Pro. It works great but does seem to struggle with power delivery when I get over 80% power, I can see the power led in the control board dimming when the laser is on. The main board is a "Laser box ESP32 V1.0".

There is a +12V plug going from the control board to the laser, I was wondering if I could put a cap across that +12v rail to help with power delivery........?

If so, what size should I go for?

[Vovk_Z]

Why do you have to feed it with 80% of requred voltage istead of 100%?. 

[onis_uk]

you misunderstand, when you use a laser etcher you select that power output in software for the material you are using. When I'm marking stainless steel, the best results I've found at 85% of peak power.

But like I say, this seems to cause some power/voltage sag hence me wanting to bolster the 12v rail with a cap...

[MarkT]

A capacitor can only help with very brief power overloads, not sustained overload.  Perhaps the PSU is inadequate, perhaps the wiring?  Perhaps the laser is pulling more current than expected?

[Vovk_Z]

you misunderstand, when you use a laser etcher you select that power output in software for the material you are using. When I'm marking stainless steel, the best results I've found at 85% of peak power.

But like I say, this seems to cause some power/voltage sag hence me wanting to bolster the 12v rail with a cap...

This is a typical behavior when different materials want different modes. There is a large possibility you want to add a cap because you have free hands and excessive free time, I guess.   

[onis_uk]

wow soooooo helpful...

[Zero999]

wow soooooo helpful...

Alright. Hopefully my answer is more helpful: no adding a capacitor across the power supply rail, will not increase the power.

Is this a brand new item? Have you contacted the seller?