Here a light ... If a change de desiccant, is the chip will returb back to clean ? How long is a desiccant life ?
It looks like the CCD may have frost. What temperature is the camera being cooled to in this image? Has the desiccant plug been removed at all? Desiccant should be effective for many years, but it can be recharged by baking in an oven at 375ºF for 4 hours. Once plugged back into the camera (don't forget the o-ring), it may take several hours to overnight to remove any excess moisture from the chamber.
Hi Tim, I always cooled to -30. it is good ? I have never remove the desiccant I just order a new desiccant, but according to your post, i will put the old one into the oven ... is after 2-3 hour, all donuts will desappear ? Thanks Martin
My experience with a different make of camera is that at least 24 to 48 hrs is needed for the CCD chamber to become dry again after reactivating the desiccant. I take out and reactivate my desiccant plug in the oven once per year. William.
Yes, that is ok. when cooled, do you see any frost forming on the sensor? Baking the desiccant will recharge it. Install it back into the camera, and after ~24 hours, it should remove the majority of any moisture inside the CCD chamber. I am only guessing, but it looks like possible frost on the sensor.
Hi, I just open the Cam to remove the desiccant, it is actualy in the oven. This is a picture of the ccd chamber ... we can see the little bad thing on the glass ... Is the new dessicant will clean it ?
Doug. Zooming in on Martins image those spots look more like condensate evaporation deposits on the outside of the CCD chamber window as they follow a linear path across the image and don't follow the topology of the CCD chip. do you think they could be on the outside surface of the chamber window or inside? If outside the chamber they should wipe clear with a suitable lens cleaner but if inside the window the camera might need servicing, what do you think? Really difficult to tell from a single angle picture William.
It really is hard to remote-diagnose these things, so a step-by-step approach is best. He should try recharging the desiccant first. That has a good chance of working, but if it doesn't then there are a few more steps we can do. I always try to avoid having the customers send in a camera, which might not actually need it.
It is outside of the ccd chamber and it's removed ... I use a eyeglass cleaner thank you SBIG's team !