383L+ Desiccant recharge - gas oven?

[DMouse]

Hi, I did email ATIK but havent had a reply on this yet. I know you can bake desiccant in an electric oven @ I believe 190C for 2 hours.. But can I do the same in a gas oven, and if so are there any extra precautions I should take?
I know a gas flame generates moisture, and thats why it bakes better cakes. So should I use Bake or Roast?

Thanks

Paul

[andysea]

Wow I never thought of that but you're right. Gas ovens are better for baking for that reason. I'm interested in knowing the answer to that question too!

Andy

[Lex]

LOL, never combined charge coupled devices with baking before; nice 
The gas flame is really producing a small amount of moisture; this should be no big deal as the tablets still stay warm once taken out of the oven; and evaporate a small amount of moisture.

I procede like this with my baader desiccant (the orange stuff), heat it up for about 80 minutes @ 180°C until the colour turns from green back to orange again --> this in an electrical oven...

This concludes my receipt: How to cook desiccant for astronomy 

Best

[Chris]

Would a microwave oven work?

I've regenerated silica gel in the microwave, it only seems to take a few minutes but not sure about the desiccant tablets.

Chris

[Lex]

I am not sure that the microwave option is working, with silica gel i heard that it damages the outer cell and gently takes off the power of humdity absorbtion.
The only "good" way to proceed is in an electrice oven...

[ruitripa]

You can use a gas oven, althought the electric is better. Microwave is an option but be careful! The tablets can reach a very high temperature inside a microwave oven (>500ºC), and the recipient holding them must be able to support that! Forget about normal glass cups, etc.

[DMouse]

Hi, well I did recharge using my gas oven and to date, about 2 months later, there has not been any frosting issues with the camera. I am starting to get a patch to the lower left of the sensor, not frost, just  a lighter area on my images, so I may recharge soon. But as far as I can tell all is good.
BTW I baked the dessicant for 90min on 190C, not convect bake.

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