383L+ OSC condensation on sensor

[andysea]

Hello
Last night my 4 month old 383L+ color showed dew forming on the sensor. I immediately turned off the cooling and  obviously stopped the imaging session. First of all I was shocked to see this issue on a brand new camera. Then I started thinking about possible damage the the sensor caused by the ice crystals.
Has anyone had this issue too?
should I send the camera back for repair?
I will recharge the desiccant by putting it in the oven but I'm worried about any possible permanent damage to the camera.
Has anyone had similar issues? I thought Atik cameras had a good dew prevention system.

[bwa]

I've never had dew form on an ATIK CCD but I have definitely had dew/frost form on other CCD's with no permanent impact other than some dust/mineral residue left where the dew/frost formed.  My old QHY8 had dew/frost form almost every time I used it if I didn't keep cooling under control and it worked well for years...

[andysea]

Dust residue on the sensor of a brand new camera would be quite an issue. I might send it back to opt so that they would check it.

[jsbianco]

I had a problem with my 383L+ OSC due to the desiccant not working and ice formed on the sensor, this carried some of the thermal paste from behind the sensor to the cover glass.  The camera was repaired by Atik very quickly and returned.  Atik also set extra desiccant packs when the camera was returned.  I now keep a separate desiccant pack intended for gun cabinets in my camera case.

Joseph

[andysea]

Hi Joseph.
After your post I closely inspected the sensor and there are some spots on it. It appears like water spots but it might as well be gunk from the heat paste.
I will sent the camera back to the US retailer that sold it to me and be prepared for a loooong wait to get the issue fixed.

[jsbianco]

I am also in the US and sent the camera back to Atik in the UK and the turn around time was less that 2 weeks.

Joseph

[andysea]

I might try to contact them directly. I'm not sure that I want to deal with the headache of international shipping, it would be pricey and I would probably be charged for everything if Atik found the camera to be fine and the spots on the sensor to be acceptable. I will keep everyone posted on how OPT/Atik handle this issue.

Edit: OPT is not supporting the camera as I bought it more than 30 days ago.
I will keep everyone posted on how Atik responds to this issue.

Edit 2: After close inspection the spots are on the optical window so I don't think they were related to the dewing issue. I'm still getting dew but maybe the desiccant needs time to absorb all humidity.

[andysea]

Update: After 24 hours of the new desiccant being installed I am no longer getting moisture on the sensor.
Atik is going to send me replacement desiccant for future use.

[bwa]

Sounds like a good outcome!  Thanks for the detailed information/discussion.

bwa

[MikeM]

Andy, lots of cameras have frost issues and I suspect that Atik is not immune to this. From my experience my previous OSC camera
would fog up/ice over on nights of extremely high humidity. Unfortunately the camera did not have regulated cooling nor
dessicant control, but it's not a big deal. I have a 383+L and have yet to experience this but I do expect it to happen sooner or later.

[andysea]

Hi Mike,
Yes I know that Sbig cameras have the same issues. But how about manufacturers that purge the CCD chamber with nitrogen? Do you know if those cameras have the same issues?

[MikeM]

... But how about manufacturers that purge the CCD chamber with nitrogen? Do you know if those cameras have the same issues?

I'm no expert but I believe that while purging minimizes the probability of condensation forming on the chip I don't think it 100% eliminates it. But I believe the conditions would have to be extreme for condensation or frosting to occur.

[andysea]

Got it! I would think that a nitrogen purged chamber wouldn't be user rechargeable in case of failure so I can see how a user replaceable desiccant could be a better system. What would make it almost perfect would be a way for the user to tell when the desiccant is approaching the end of it's efficacy and needs recharging/replacing.
That would be a great feature!