Improved Cooling Package Upgrade for ST-402 Series Cameras

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Improve the cooling delta of your ST-402ME, ST-1603ME or ST-3200ME camera by approximately 9 degrees C with this enhanced cooling pakage upgrade.  The upgrade consists of (a) a larger heat sink installed in the camera, (b) a larger 50mm magnetic levitating fan and fan guard, (c) a new back plate with openings to accommodate the extension of the fan housing and guard, and (d) a board inside the camera that routes additional power to the TE cooler.  No additional external power is required.   The addition of the new parts increases the depth of the camera body by 4mm and the fan plus fan guard (not seen in the photos) adds another 10mm.  The backfocus is not changed.  A modified ST-402ME is shown above (minus the fan guard). 

The graphs above show the typical improvement in cooling performance below ambient temperature after installation of the enhanced cooling package , and the dark current reduction at specific absolute temperatures.  Estimated price cost for installation of the enhanced cooling package is $195.

Remote Guide Head Option for ST-7/8/9/10/2000 Cameras

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Originally designed for the large format STL cameras, the Remote Guide Head contains a TC-237 CCD with 657 x 495 pixels at 7.4u.  This is the same CCD that is used as the built-in tracking CCD on all of our dual sensor, self-guiding cameras.   It is also the same sensor used in the stand-alone STV autoguider and the former ST-237 CCD camera.  By popular request, we have added support for this remote head to the ST-7/8/9/10/2000 series for those who want to put the guiding CCD in front of the filter wheel by way of an off-axis guider or separate guide scope.  One of the main benefits of using the remote head instead of a separate camera for guiding is that no additional power or computer connections are required.  The remote head gets power and control from the camera and it is controlled just like the internal guider by the same software program that is used to control the camera.  Once installed, the user can select either the internal or external guider and all other software functions are essentially identical.  Another benefit is that the remote head can control both the AO-7 and AO-L adaptive optics units when used in an off-axis guider.  This allows the AO to be used with any filter in place and the guide star brighness will not be affected.   The upgrade is available for all ST-7/8/9/10/2000 cameras manufactured after August 1, 2005.  The upgrade consists of installation of a separate board inside the camera body, and replacement of the round portion of the camera body with a new housing containing the necessary connector.  The remote guide head and cable are sold separately.  One remote guide head can be used on any STL or ST-7/8/9/10/2000 camera.   Estimated cost of the camera upgrade is $395, excluding the remote head.   

Improved External Dew Control for STL Cameras.

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Some users in very humid climates have reported external dewing on the CCD chamber window of STL-11000 cameras.  This is a different phenomena than frosting inside the CCD chamber due to mosture.  The latter may be cured by recharging the desiccant plug.  However, external dewing is a different problem.  It results from a large CCD such as the 11000 cooling the chamber window relative to the outside air.  We initially added two window heaters to sides of the CCD chamber that drew power from the TE cooler power supply.  This worked in most cases to eliminate the problem.   However there were still reports, mostly from the UK and the East Coast of the US of dewing on the outside of the CCD chamber window when the weather was particularly humid.  We have improved the original modification by (a) adding a third heater along the thrid available side of the CCD chamber, and (b) adding a new power harness that re-routs the power to the heaters from a supply in the camera that does not vary with the TE cooling power.  The problem we found with the prior method was that when the dewing occured, power to the TE cooler was often reduced to bring up the temperature slightly, but this also reduced the power to the heaters.  The new design eliminates this problem.  It has been tested in the UK and in the Southern US with success.   We will make it available at no charge to anyone who experiences excessive dewing at normal operating temperatures with their STL camera.

    

 

 

       BVI filter wheel for ST-402 - $395.

 

The KAF-0402ME has high QE and low dark current of ~1 electron/pixel/second at 0 C.   Images do not need to be very long for good S/N in the vast majority of cases.   Nevertheless, we have been asked to offer an improved cooling version of the ST-402ME, ST-1603ME and ST-3200ME cameras for those who want to use the cameras for color or narrowband imaging in warm climates.  As a result we now offer this enhanced cooling package as an upgrade to any ST-402ME, ST-1603ME or ST-3200ME.

 

We have ordered parts that we expect to have on hand in the next 30 days.  The price for the enhanced cooling upigrade will be $195.   

 

By addint a larger heat sink, bigger fan, and increasing the power to the TE cooler we are able to improve this by approximately 9 degrees C regulated.  

 

 

 

 

3.  Improved dew control for STL series cameras - free upgrade

4.  Lower price for STL-6303E Class 2 and Class 1 cameras.

 

 

Due to increasing costs, we plan to adjust our prices in 2006.  Most products will go up slightly, or will have fewer extras included, or a combination of both.  The exception is the STL-6303E camera which will be unbundled from the free large format AO we have offered up until now.  The base price of the STL-6303E will go down somewhat and the AO-L will be sold seaprately.

All ST-7/8/9/10/2000 cameras will include a 2" nosepiece as a standard item.   The 1.25" nosepiece will be an optional accessory.

The accessory test lens will be an optional item for the ST-7/8/9/10/2000 cameras.

The ST-7XME Standard camera will be packages like the "I" cameras.  The Pelican carrying case and printed manuals will be optional accessories for these models.   Manuals will still be provided in PDF format on CDROM.

The ST-7XME Deluxe and all other non-I versions of the ST-7/8/9/10/2000 will continue to include a printed operating manual, printed CCDOPS manual, and Pelican carrying case.

ST-402

Product Improvements for 2006

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ST single and dual sensor ST-7/8/9/10/2000 cameras.

1.  Remote Head for ST series cameras - upgrade $395.  Need serial number of camera.  Works with "I" cameras.

Choice:    Single sensor camera
                Single sensor camera with external guiding (remote head).
                Dual sensor camera with internal self-guiding
                Dual sensor camera with internal and external (remote head) guiding.