[Aavso-photometry] Dessicant Alternatives for SBIG equipment

[Walt Cooney]

Folks,

I have an AP-7p.  It has a dessicant pouch rather than a plug and uses 
dessicant clay rather than mole sieve but rather than bake it out, I 
microwave it to boil off the water and reuse it (after it has cooled 
back down).  It's a lot quicker and easier than baking in an oven.  The 
caveat is that it may reduce the ultimate capacity of the dessicant.  I 
don't know how much heat affects the micro structure of the clay.  There 
is also the risk of a fire if you microwave it too long or without a 
break.  Anyone else have any experience, good or bad with doing this?

Clearest skies,
Walt (CWT)

Tim Crawford wrote:
> Particle Wave Technologies has a replacement set up
> that uses disposable desiccant sleeves.... I prefer
> this to the bake hassle and it avoids the need to have
> two SBIG plugs in service.
>
> I have been using mine for about four years now and a
> most happy camper.  I think it was Aaron that
> originally suggested this option to me.
>
> SRP is a replacement plug for Santa Barbara
> Instruments Group standard desiccant plug for ST-7, 8,
> 9, 10, 1001, 2000 (E, XE, XME) series cameras.
>
> Unlike the standard SBIG desiccant plug, the cap of
> SRP can be removed without any tools and the desiccant
> inside replaced with a fresh pack. The type of
> desiccant used is the same as used by SBIG - Molecular
> Sieve. SRP holds 3 gram of molecular sieve which is
> approximately one gram more than SBIG plug (3 gram
> molecular sieve pack).
>
> www.pwtec.com/srp.htm
>
> Per Ardua ad Astra
>
> Tim Crawford CTX
> Arch Cape Observatory
>
>
>
> --- bailyhill at aol.com wrote:
>
>   
>>  Hello
>>
>> I can tell you that the SBIG STL series of cameras
>> also have a similar dessicant plug.? I have baked
>> mine several times.
>>
>> Clear Skies
>> Gary
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Jones <nt7t at centurytel.net>
>> To: aavso-photometry at mira.aavso.org
>> Sent: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:55 am
>> Subject: Re: [Aavso-photometry] CCD Cameras - Advice
>> wanted!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> You can purge the SBIG ST series cameras yourself. 
>> You really don't 
>> purge them, you dry the desiccant. Not a big deal.
>>
>> You may be able to do the same thing with the other
>> SBIG cameras 
>> yourself but I'm not sure.
>>
>> Jim Jones
>>
>> 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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