The front of the camera is protected from knocks by the use of a heavy
guard, below the guard is the LED window that protects the LED’s from
moisture, and this section is sealed from the rest of the camera to prevent
moisture ingress.
A thick-sectioned sapphire window protects the video camera; this is
optically flat for best results and has a high surface-hardness to protect
from damage. The sapphire window is a replaceable item and can be
purchased separately as a window kit complete with ‘O’ rings.
The camera utilizes shock-mounting of the internal camera chassis to
protect against damage, this is operational in all three axis.
The auto-uprighting is achieved by the use of precision bearings and a
weighted internal chassis. The bearings are loaded with a fixed-viscosity
fluid that varies the damping only by small amounts over the camera’s
operating temperature. The damping has been tested for compatibility in
all pipe sizes and provides the most reliable method of auto-uprighting in
all situations.
CAMERA VOLTAGE
10-15V DC (0.6W)
LIGHTING VOLTAGE
10-15V DC (4W)
VIDEO OUTPUT
Buffered, 1V into 75 Ohms
CAMERA PERFORMANCE
1 lux, 512 x 582 pixels CCD
SHUTTER SPEEDS
`1/50 to 1/96000 sec
CAMERA WEIGHT
0.9 KG
The camera is designed to
be a direct replacement for
the Radiodetection
“Gatorcam” camera and is
fitted in the same manner.
Prior to fitting, the rear of
the camera and rod end
connector should be
checked for dirt and
moisture and cleaned if
necessary.
The camera is then screwed
onto the rod end connector
until fully hand tight.
The termination’s spring is
then screwed onto the rear of
the camera, completion the
connection. For further
information on fitting the
camera please see your
system operating instructions
Once the camera is fitted to the system, it may be powered up in the
normal manner.
A small delay in the camera starting is normal as a result of “soft start”
technology within the camera that allows the system power supply to
stabilise prior to the camera starting.
It will also be apparent that the four illumination LED’s are of different
intensity. This is perfectly normal and is a result of the different LED’s
power as described earlier.
No adjustment of the camera is available or necessary, all functions
being fully automatic. Focus is preset to give optimum results within the
pipe size range covered by the camera.
The camera contains no built in sonde due to its heavy stainless steel
construction. Troglotech offer an optional, plug-in, inline sonde if location
is required.
The camera should, wherever possible be used with skids for centring
and protection. Skids will vary according to application and whether
existing skids are being used.
Troglotech offer an optional skid set covering pipe diameters 75mm (3”),
100mm (4”) and 150mm (6”) details of which are supplied with that
product.
A typical 100mm skid set will comprise front and rear brush holders, one
for the camera and one for the rod end termination which should be used
to centre the termination in the pipe, ensuring that the camera sits level.
If, under exceptional circumstances it is necessary to operate the camera
with no skids fitted then it is recommended that the camera body be
protected by wrapping with “Duck” tape or similar.
The camera requires no maintenance except for the cleaning of the LED
and camera windows. The rear connector should also be checked
cleaned and dried if necessary when the camera is fitted to the system.
The sapphire window can be cleaned with water with a little detergent to
removed deposits, a final clean with a soft lint-free cloth is recommended
to achieve the best optical performance.
The LED window can be cleaned using the same methods although a
soft brush is useful for removing dirt that is trapped in the guard cavities.
The rear connector may be cleaned with absorbent paper towel and/or a
clean, soft brush. On no account should hard tools be used to clean the
contact area as damage could result. Mating rod end termination should
be inspected and cleaned in a similar manner. Connector threads should
be kept free of grit.
Do not use any solvents or high-pressure water jets as these may
damage the camera.
DO NOT DISSASEMBLE THE CAMERA, the camera is produced in a
low-humidity environment.
The only user-replaceable part is the sapphire window. This can be
ordered from your distributor or Troglotech and is supplied with a pre-
greased ‘O’ ring and a replacement snap-ring.
The sapphire window has an extremely hard surface but can be
scratched by solid objects that are abrasive. It is worth checking the
condition of the window at regular intervals, as the quality of the video
picture will slowly become more blurred as the window surface is
damaged.
The window is 5mm in depth so it is unlikely that it will ever crack and
allow moisture within the camera. However, if this does occur then return
the camera to your distributor for repair.
Replacement of the sapphire window must be performed in a clean
environment. Make absolutely sure that the camera front is clean a free
from silt before a replacement is carried out.
Make sure that the window is not removed for any period of time as the
camera is assembled in low-humidity conditions and the ingress of moist
air may cause misting of the inside of the window.
