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View Full Version here: : DSLR cooling - Peltier and heatsink thoughts


rcheshire
13-11-2011, 08:11 AM
At the moment I have my 1000D in bits all sealed in glad bags, ready to replace the IR filter with an Astrodon Inside, when it turns up. Eliminating IR improves focus in straight through optics such as camera lenses.

Dismantling the camera has provided an opportunity to get a perspective on the best approach for a cooling mod. Essentially, a cold finger, sealed around the sensor and attached electronics to prevent condensation in the wrong places.

As I see it, the finger should be insulated to prevent ambient warming as it protrudes from the sensor - so that cooling is localised to the finger as much as possible.

My thoughts on the cold side heat sink are, that it should be sufficiently rigid to support the hot side heat sink assembly, but not so large as to become the focus of cooling. The hot side is a different matter, as heat extraction is all important.

DSLR cooling is slightly different to CPU cooling in that the TEC is not located directly on the camera sensor and the copper finger must also be cooled - perhaps a heat pipe is a better alternative?

EDIT:

The main issue is cooling the hotside of the TEC. This explains clearly the heatsink requirements. (http://tomswiki.wetpaint.com/page/Peltier+(TEC)+Cooling)

It seems that the best option for a compact cooling system is pin type heatsinks (http://www.coolinnovations.com/), enhanced by fan cooling. Some of these units will move 200+ watts comfortably, with a very small footprint and not too heavy.

Poita
13-11-2011, 08:27 AM
You could cool the entire camera, http://ghonis2.ho8.com/rebelmod450d16d.html
but unless you are doing this for the enjoyment of hot-rodding (cold-rodding?) the camera and the experience of it, I'd just do the filter removal, enjoy the camera as is for a little while, and then buy a 2nd hand cooled astro camera. You could get (for example) a QHY8 for about $900 without having to look too hard, and could sell your filter-removed 1000D to offset the cost. I did follow a guide at one point for cooling a DSLR, I'll see if I can find the link.

Poita
13-11-2011, 08:35 AM
I had a go at this ages ago with a 10D
http://thaiastro.nectec.or.th/hypermod/

This looks pretty swish
http://cooledpix.com/2011/09/15/cp30t-eos-design-steps/

rcheshire
13-11-2011, 08:52 AM
Or this.

http://astro-fotografie.blogspot.com/search/label/Peltier%20gek%C3%BChlte%20EOS%20450 D

There are some ridiculous mods around. I'm thinking of a nicely constructed, well considered addition that adds value to the camera also. No one wants to contend with a massive heat sink sticking out the side like a set of extractors.

There is definitely a level of enjoyment.

dugnsuz
17-11-2011, 12:33 PM
Brave men the pair of you!
Have you had a look at the Central DS page?
http://www.centralds.net/en/
Follow links: Information>>Modification

Cheers
Doug

clive milne
18-11-2011, 12:45 AM
Condensation...?

Why not just invest in a camera designed for the task?

They're not exactly expensive these days.

TrevorW
18-11-2011, 03:09 PM
Not worth the effort really been down this path myself easier to buy a dedicated cooled CCD camera to do the job

rcheshire
20-11-2011, 11:20 AM
Hi Doug. I'm more interested in an engineering solution than anything else. I was a little put off until coming to terms with the mechanical and electronic engineering aspects. With a little help in other forums I have solved issues such as power dissipation, temperature control and condensation.