[Aavso-photometry] CCD Cameras - Advice wanted!

[Michael Crook]

Hi All,

Thanks to everyone for their replies.
There doesn't seem to be a DIY dessicant plug on the
Maxcam. There is mention of two 'purge ports' on the
UK distributor website, but I believe these are for
the manufacturer to purge the camera with dry Argon
gas. Wish I'd gone for an SBIG now :(

Thanks again,

Mick



--- Patrick Wiggins <paw at wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:

> 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
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >      
>
__________________________________________________________
> > Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox
> http://uk.mail.yahoo.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > Aavso-photometry mailing list
> > Aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
> >
>
http://www.aavso.org/mailman/listinfo/aavso-photometry
> >
> 
> Patrick Wiggins
> NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah & NE Nevada
> http://utahastro.info
> paw at wirelessbeehive.com
> 435.882.1209
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> Aavso-photometry mailing list
> Aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
>
http://www.aavso.org/mailman/listinfo/aavso-photometry
> 



      __________________________________________________________
Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com