Well, my orion cooler box arrived today, so i decided to give it a quick test.
Not ideal conditions, windy and cold so it was a bit difficult to gauge it's true performance. Once I had installed the camera and let it cool for an hour, inside temp -8.6c outside +5.8c.
Balance was an issue, it required another 2.5kgs counter weight. I hear people saying, too much weight on HEQ Pro 5 mount, the main bearing is massive so I have no concern, I would rather balance properly and take the stress from the drives.
The standard focuser on the BINTEL F/4 coped well with the weight, I defocused on a star and placed slight pressure on the assembly, very little flexure.
I hear you say, you can't see to focus, with camera in the cooler box, I used live view and have a remote monitor in the observatory.
It takes a while to install the camera and get it setup, but this will become quicker when i get used to it.
The only problem I found is the the internal external temp sensors are the wrong way round, no biggy, just need to remember out is in.
The image of NGC 253 is 8 minute subs, a total of 48 minutes, no darks flats or bias, I wanted to stack and see how it would come up.
You be the judge.
Also a single 8 minute sub, so you can see how it came out of the camera.
The stars, are less than perfect, as the scope was been blown about.
When I get a warm night, with no wind I'll do another test and post it.
That's a top shot of 253 Justin. Have you got any shots to compare with/without the cooling?
Thanks Rob!
Not as yet, waiting for a warm night, to do comparison shots.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
Nice one.
Can't wait to find out how it handles an Aussie Summer.
Thanks jjj!
I think it will have it's limitations, the canon 1100D perfroms quite well up 5c, did a test today with the outside temp being an average of 18c. The best I could get is a total drop of 15c after 1.5 hours.
So I think orions claim of up to 22c drop is very optimistic!
Nice shot Justin, not bad for only 6 subs! Why not process darks / flats as well though - even cooled CCD images are improved with these. It will be interesting to see the comparison shots with / without cooling.
Nice shot Justin, not bad for only 6 subs! Why not process darks / flats as well though - even cooled CCD images are improved with these. It will be interesting to see the comparison shots with / without cooling.
Thanks David!
That was an initial test, Iv'e taken new darks, bias and flats last night wanted to do these around 0c with the cooler. Now all I need is a warmer night to do the comparison.
Interesting what a dozen fewer degrees can make Justin, very benificial seeing such a smooth result, yep, Must investigate these cooler devices, never heard of them before ?
Nice going ! !
Interesting what a dozen fewer degrees can make Justin, very benificial seeing such a smooth result, yep, Must investigate these cooler devices, never heard of them before ?
Nice going ! !
Thanks Bob!
The main issue with the cooler box is counter balance with the extra weight, especially on a newtonian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevec35
That looks pretty good to me Justin. Nice colours and I can't see any noise. In fact it's a very good NGC 253 for such a short exposure.
Cheers
Steve
Thanks Steve!
Being able to push past 5 minute subs is certainly helping with the images.
Nice one. 
