Q S I 5 0 0 S E R I E S U S E R G U I D E
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that the surrounding environment. If the relative humidity is high enough, this action cou
drop the camera below the dew/frost point and condensation will fo
ld
rm.
Caution:
Do not allow excessive dew or frost to collect in or on the camera.
Exercise the normal precautions that you would with any precision optical or
electronic device. Never use the LHX to drive the camera temperature so low
that liquid water forms on or in the camera. Under certain conditions excessive
moisture can impair or damage the optical coatings and the internal electronics.
the Cooler
om your CCD imaging application (MaxIm,
e.
t
ºC,
Controlling
The operation of the cooler is managed fr
CCDSoft, etc.) When power is first applied to your camera the cooler is in an inactive stat
It must be actively turned on. The following explores the technical details of camera cooling
utilizing MaxIm as the imaging application. For step-by-step operating instructions and
changing the CCD setpoint temperature, see Section 4.
Below is a snapshot of the Setup tab in the Camera Control window, just after the Connec
and then Cooler On button was clicked. Notice that the current CCD temperature is 23
the default Setpoint is 0ºC, and that the cooler power is 100%
en the Cooler On button is clicked, the camera immediately starts cooling the CCD at full
cooler will stay at full power until it has cooled the CCD to within a few degrees
of the s
cooler
y
slightly
couple
achieved, the camera will keep the CCD temperature within 0.1ºC of the setpoint.
he following is an image of the same Camera Control window 5 minutes after clicking the
Wh
power. The
etpoint temperature. The camera will then start adjusting the power applied to the
as it approaches the setpoint temperature. The displayed CCD temperature ma
over-shoot the setpoint temperature as the regulation servo locks. It can take a
more minutes for the temperature servo to achieve a solid lock. After lock is
T
Cooler On button. Notice that the CCD temperature is now being regulated at 0ºC and that
the power level has settled down to a modest 40%.