storing CCD cameras-on scope?

[graham.hobart]

Now that I have an obs, do people here leave their (expensive) CCDs attached to the scope or always pack it away?
Straw poll as not sure what would be best.
Have refractor so essentially sealed system.
Any advice?
Graz

[lepton3]

I tend to leave my camera attached to the scope where possible as it means I don't have to do flats again. I'm mostly doing photometry, trying to achieve millimag precision, so I need to re-take flats even if I carefully place the camera in the same orientation every time.

When not on the 'scope, I keep it in a sealed container with dessicant.

-Ivan

[Terry B]

Mine is permanently on the scope. I never remove it unless I need to do some sort of maintenance. It means that flats don't need redoing very often.
I have 2 scopes side by side with a camera on one and a spectrograpg on the other. All stays put.
see http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=123498&d=1348837726

Cheers

Terry

[Karls48]

For same reasons as Terry and Ivan I leave cameras attached to the scopes (SW 150mm and 100mm F5 Celestron refractors). Even worse I do not have an observatory, so whole setup is covered by two rubbish bags and two trampolines when not in use.
For some time I’m thinking about some sort of clip device that would allow removing camera and putting it back in exactly same position. But it is hard one.

[Peter Ward]

For a short time (ie a few days) this is fine.

However you run the risk of PCB trace and connector corrosion, filter degredation through moisture permeation and the possibility of frying the electronics if a lightning strike happens near by. I have seen all of the former...and then some.

I'd not recommend it.

[graham.hobart]

ooh oh!

:(

[Peter Ward]

Thankfully not mine....just examples I've seen, sent in by customers for repair over some years....

[DavidNg]

Dear Peter,

I have a Sirius dome, do you think its ok to leave the ccd hanging there permanently ? Thanks

[Terry B]

I think this would depend on where you live. I live in a relatively dry environment. There would certainly never be dew in the observatory when its closed. I get dew on the scope when I'm using it but the cameras are on then and don't get wet because they are warmer than ambient.
Lightening strikes are relevent I suppose but I unplug the power to the observatory so unless the observatory got hit directly I think this is not too much of a worry.
I had lightning hit a tree above my shed a few years ago. The tree is very dead now. It blew a bit out of the concrete slab floor in the shed as the lightning went through the reinforcing. All the machinery in the shed was plugged in but turned off. The fuses blew but the machinery survived including the speed controllers etc on my lathe and mill. Not as deticate as the cameras but still vulnerable.
The only thing that was stuffed was the controller for our solar hotwater system.

[Peter Ward]

QED. Regardless of power switch status, inductance works just fine on USB/RS232 etc.

London to a brick the solar controller had a few IC's..... ;)

But it's really up to you... I prefer to take my CCD gear off the 'scope as I've simply seen too many examples of foggy filters, corroded traces etc.

[Peter Ward]

I doubt it will last long... hanging off the dome is generally bad....

Seriously...how do the counterweights look on a warm humid morning, after a cold night?

If they drip with condensation, I'll let you draw your own conclusions on what camera electronics might be doing.

[PeterM]

Hmmm... dunno. My Starlight Xpress SXVHR9 attached to my LX200 for nearly 5 years in my observatory near Brisbane. Summer, Winter, dew, storms, used an average of 120 nights per year, hasn't missed a beat. Maybe they don't make em like they used to? Unplug EVERYTHING if storms are about I will agree on.
PeterM.

[RickS]

Do SBIG apply a conformal coating to their PCBs to protect them from moisture?

I'm not trying to pick on SBIG. I just assume you'd have more knowledge about their products given your commercial arrangements...

Thanks,
Rick.

[marc4darkskies]

Leave mine attached all the time - mostly because I'm lazy. I also leave the dehumidifier running all the time so always dry as a bone inside the dome. And ALWAYS unplug everything when not in use. No problems yet!

Cheers, Marcus

[Peter Ward]

Yes. Dosn't work indefinietly.

I've seen "gold" plated connectors corrode.

Multi-layer filters are somewhat hygroscopic....as many PST owners will testify...

But hey... a small camera, with no fans or exposed PCB's, with bugger-all thermal inertia, well, like a SVXHR9! :)..... might be a happy little vegemite for years.

But, I prefer to give several kilo's of CCD camera sporting 65mm square filters, a warm, dry and cosy environment when I'm not using it.

What you choose to do...well...it's up to you.

[Terry B]

This is true but will taking the camera off the scope and putting it in a plastic case make any difference to this risk?

[Peter Ward]

You need to talk to an actuary.

You might drop the camera, while transfering it to a case...

But leaving a camera in effectively a "garden shed"...unless you wish to run a de-humidifier 24/7 (yes, Marcus, that will work :thumbsup:... I just grew weary of the power bills)

.....will guarantee moisture related problems in time.

How much time? :question:....Hummm interesting question..