[Aavso-photometry] CCD Cameras - Advice wanted!

[Patrick Wiggins]

I'm not familiar with your camera but all of the CCD cameras I've  
used incorporate a desiccant plug, some of which need to be replaced  
and some can be "rehabilitated" by cooking the moisture out of the  
plug in a conventional oven.

In neither case does the camera itself need to be dismantled or  
returned to the manufacturer.

Does your camera have such a plug?

I notice in one of my SBIG camera manuals that it suggests that in  
the event of frosting and before the plug can be fixed or replaced,  
the camera can be run with the temperature set a degree or two above  
freezing (assuming, of course, the ambient temperature is not below  
freezing).  There will be some additional noise but much of that can  
be removed with a good master flat.

Good luck,

patrick


On 27 Dec 2007, at 10:04, Michael Crook wrote:

>
> Hi Folks,
>
> Hope you all had a good Christmas!
>
> I've noticed a 'wierd' pattern on my recent CCD images
> and on closer inspection I can see what appears to be
> tiny droplets of water appearing on the actual chip -
> which then freeze as the chip cools.
>
> I've been advised my camera  - a FLI Maxcam, will need
> to be re-purged which will mean sending it back to the
> manufacturer in the USA (I'm in the UK). This is going
> to be expensive, and I've also been advised that I may
> need to keep doing this every couple of years or so.
>
> My questions are -
>
> 1) Is there anything I can do myself to prevent the
> moisture forming?
>
> 2)Are there any cameras suitable for photometry which
> don't have to be re-purged periodically? It may be
> cheaper in the long-run for me to get a different
> camera! The scopes I use are 6" and 9.25" SCTs at F6.3
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Mick Crook
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Patrick Wiggins
NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah & NE Nevada
http://utahastro.info
paw at wirelessbeehive.com
435.882.1209