SBIG STXL Cooling Power

Paul Haese · #1 13-01-2014, 08:22 PM

Just a short one about my STXL camera's cooling power. Current temp at the dome is 35 degrees C and I have the camera sensor at -30 using 75% cooling power. Man that is what I call awesome cooling power. I had become so accustomed to having the QSI, not being able to handle -20C in this sort of temperature, but this is another thing.

Feel free to comment.

Peter Ward · #2 13-01-2014, 08:30 PM

...and it's red too!!

Paul Haese · #3 13-01-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

...and it's red too!!

Where is the like button.

Bassnut (Fred) · #4 13-01-2014, 08:40 PM

yes, im at -35deg every night regardless of ambient, at no where near full power. Pretty impressive.

pvelez (Pete) · #5 13-01-2014, 10:06 PM

My STX16803 is running at -25C with an ambient temp of 20.4C - at 65% power.

Not bad at all.

Looks like you are in for some hot nights down in SA Paul

Pete

strongmanmike (Michael) · #6 13-01-2014, 10:53 PM

Ah woopy doo, FLI'ers have had that for yeeeeeeeeears he he he used to run my PL11002 at -35C every night for over 3 years with the same set of darks

Hmmm?..I do recall certain people poo hooing super cooling....oh, until their cameras had it

Seriously though, good cooling is a great facility to have...especially in a warming world

Mike

Peter Ward · #7 13-01-2014, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

......... used to run my PL11002 at -35C every night for over 3 years with the same set of darks.....

Ho Humm.... Still wasn't Rosso Corsa

LewisM · #8 13-01-2014, 11:58 PM

My 2002 ST-8XE sits at -20° at 90% power with ambient at 30°. A 50° temp reduction is not too shabby for an old lady! It'll go -25°, but on advice I keep it about 5% above max.

OK, it's not an STXL, but hey, it cost me $800 (and I could not be happier!)

strongmanmike (Michael) · #9 14-01-2014, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Ho Humm.... Still wasn't Rosso Corsa

No, Gallardo Nera

multiweb (Marc) · #10 14-01-2014, 09:46 AM

I heard that about the QSI having trouble cooling. Shame as they look like a neat little piece of engineering. The QHY9 mono I have is also very good for a budget camera. I'm always on -20c all year round. TEC might peek at 70% to get down there but then idles around 40% even on very hot nights. Never had any issues with cooling at all. Touch wood. With SBIG you obviously get what you pay for. Nothing new here.

SkyViking (Rolf) · #11 14-01-2014, 10:09 AM

Sounds cool! (pun intended)
I'm running the QSI @ -30 in winter and -25 here in summer, but that is with NZ climate of course. Night temps rarely touch 20C or above, so no problems.

Paul Haese · #12 16-01-2014, 07:26 PM

Found a glitch today. 51 degrees in the dome and put the cooling on and once it reach 100% the cooler goes off, tried connecting 4 times in several programs and each did the same thing. So anything over 45 degrees and the camera shuts down. Or the current draw on the UPS is too much. In any event there is a limit.

SkyViking (Rolf) · #13 16-01-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

51 degrees in the dome

Is that healthy for your gear? Well I guess there's really nothing much you can do about it.

Paul Haese · #14 16-01-2014, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyViking

Is that healthy for your gear? Well I guess there's really nothing much you can do about it.

Probably not Rolf. The camera does not want to perform, the mount has lost its Tpoint model, high temps are playing havoc. I will be glad when this heat wave is over.

gregbradley · #15 16-01-2014, 08:34 PM

Perhaps you should consider putting in a vent or two down low or one down low and one on the other side up high to get a flow going. Or a whirlybird.
Even a sprinkler with a timer.

Greg.

Paul Haese · #16 16-01-2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Perhaps you should consider putting in a vent or two down low or one down low and one on the other side up high to get a flow going. Or a whirlybird.
Even a sprinkler with a timer.

Greg.

I think the amount of times this happens each year that might not be necessary. I will just remember I need to steer away from imaging at those times. Although it might be worth investing anyway, so I will not dismiss your suggestion. Perhaps some venting is the way to go.

Paul Haese · #17 16-01-2014, 09:26 PM

Well 10 degrees cooler and the camera is working fine. Let's hope we don't get many more days this summer like these ones this week.

multiweb (Marc) · #18 17-01-2014, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Well 10 degrees cooler and the camera is working fine. Let's hope we don't get many more days this summer like these ones this week.

Could be a built-in protection feature as not to fry anything.

gregbradley · #19 17-01-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

I think the amount of times this happens each year that might not be necessary. I will just remember I need to steer away from imaging at those times. Although it might be worth investing anyway, so I will not dismiss your suggestion. Perhaps some venting is the way to go.

My main concern with high temps would be the computer hard disk failing. I have had several external hard drives that apparently failed from being left in a car in the summer sun when I was away for 2 weeks.

I have insulation throughout my observatory so it does not reach those temps. But if it did I would consider a solar powered fan/vent with another to let in cooler air to keep it moving. I think the solar powered vents you can get from Jaycar Electronics.

Greg.

Bassnut (Fred) · #20 17-01-2014, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Found a glitch today. 51 degrees in the dome and put the cooling on and once it reach 100% the cooler goes off, tried connecting 4 times in several programs and each did the same thing. So anything over 45 degrees and the camera shuts down. Or the current draw on the UPS is too much. In any event there is a limit.

I've had my cam quit sometimes whilst cooling to set point at 100% power, seems to only happen if I try to get guiding going and do test main cam imaging all at the same time. No problem if I wait till it reaches set temp 1st ( a matter of mins). It's got me stuffed why ppl try to use regular PCs in the OBS now adays. Mini fanless PCs are dirt cheap, have more USB ports (some have actuall RS232 sockets built in) are immune to dust, are low power (10 watt wall socket plug pack) much more robust (eg temp) and are much more suited to an industrial environment like an OBs) OK, they are a bit slower and don't have screaming 3d graphics cards, but who cares, don't matter a rats in an OBs