Desiccant Frame

Desiccant frame design for the Q453-HR or QHY8

This camera has a very large CCD chip, 23.4mm X 15.6mm. The TEC cooling takes the chip down to -35c below ambient. On cold and damp nights the glass window directly in front of the CCD chip will fog-up with dew/ ice crystals. It has been suggested to store the camera in a sealed bag or box with desiccant and cap it with a filter just prior to an imaging run. Others have suggested using a hair dryer to lightly blow-off the dew when it forms. I have tried both of these routines without much luck.

I like to leave the camera out in my observatory.

To help with this problem I have devised a way to surround the chip with silca gel.

Camera shown without nosepiece.........view of APS size CCD chip:

Finished-Assembled Frame (Material: Black Acetal "Delrin")

WITHOUT DESICCANT- View nosepiece with frame installed and UV/IR filter screwed on over the frame.

Finished-Assembled Frame

RESULTS- FILLED WITH SILCA GEL

So far, I have had excellent results.........serveral nights with 75% humidity and absoutely no fogging issues.

Also, I have been able to leave the camera setup on my observatory telescope.

To replace the silca gel, simply remove the UV/IR filter and add fresh desiccant.

With the semi-sealed nosepiece the dessicant should last for a reasonable period of time............yet, to be determined.