Orion Duo from Boxing Day

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:09 pm

Finally a break from the weather, must be Uncle Santa's gift for Christmas! Been waiting for this opening to test my re-modified 350D, this time with 'direct' cooling via a cold finger to the back of the cmos sensor, the camera can cool more effectively. I can go long with the Halpha filter with tolerable heat signatures. Below is a composite of Halpha & colour images, spanning 4 degree between the 2 objects, the Baby Q was just barely able to cover them, and this is with the 0.73x reducer.

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 1:58 am

Very nice!
What a pity the Flame is just out of frame, but that's REALLY widefield for telescopic shots!
So how did you cool the DSLR? I might interested in a non-permanent method to cool my D700

Bergkamp_ · Post by **Bergkamp_** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:34 am

cataclysm: very nice~!

Possible to take a pic to show us how the cooling of the cam works?

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:50 pm

Possible to take a pic to show us how the cooling of the cam works?

Hi Wee Ern, here are some picture on the mod, sorry never good at documenting my works, but these pics should show quite clearly about my contraption. The camera is capable of cooling down to about 18 degree C below ambient while its taking long exp. The cooler comes from computer parts bin, the heat sink is essentially an AMD CPU cooler.

Here is the cooler assembly. The peltier/TEC cooler is rated at 5 amps.

This is how the copper cold finger attached to the back of the cmos.

The camera now cools so effectively, dewing becomes a problem. My solution is to introduce dry air into the camera, by a recirculating air pump fashioned from an aquarium pump.

The camera is all rigged up to take dark frames.

Bergkamp_ · Post by **Bergkamp_** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:53 pm

Up~!!! Thanks for the extra effort put in ~!! The cooling system rocks~! Does the system cause unbalance of weight? The left side of the cam seems alot more heavier..

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:08 pm

I might interested in a non-permanent method to cool my D700

Hi Kevin, I just might have the solution for you. Prior to this mod, I cooled the camera in a cold box, its like a mini freezer for your camera. Not as cold as direct cooling but definitely effective. I was able to cool the camera down to about 13 to 15 degree C below ambient, that's good enough to reduce the heat signatures by 2 folds. And this is a 'non-destructive' way to cool your camera. Of course, the downside its going to be alot heavier, and you have to control the camera remotely.

Here is an example on the setup of the cooler box

andeelym · Post by **andeelym** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:31 pm

That is seriously cool! In all aspects, both of them.

Can also add this (http://www.phottix.com/en/wireless-remo ... emote.html), so that you can see the live view from outside the box.

wucheeyiun · Post by **wucheeyiun** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:46 am

Wow ... your latest setup is cool

impressed by the customisation

kochu · Post by **kochu** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:54 pm

Hats off to your determination . real cool cooling.

Kochu/1-1-11

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:22 pm

Have read about the cold finger...but never got around to starting one up! Wonderful to see it done by you! Looks great and very neat DIY!
In the end effective and works!! Well done! Gotta love those Peltier's!
makes me wanna start something with the one I have!