Problem with SBIG ST402XME.

I recently purchased an ST402XME used from a gentleman in the UK. The camera performed fine for a couple of months. In the last week I began seeing a problem with horizontal bands crossing each image. An example of such a frame is here;

www.webtreatz.com/images/bad.jpg

If I turn off the camera for about 15 minutes the problem goes away but returns after about 5 minutes use. From searching the internet and the sbig user group I suspect this might be an internal hardware issue. I ruled out several issues;

I tried a different USB cable;
I avoided using a USB hub;
I used a differnt PSU;
I used a different computer;

I posted a message on the SBIG yahoo group and got zero replies:( I also emailed sbig asking about the procedure for returning the camera for a paid repair. Unfortunately no reply there:(

I'd be really interested to hear from any SBIG owners who have had a repair scenario.

What temperature are you setting the camera cooler to?
I have heard of banding when the chip is too cold.
Michael.

Dave - whilst I didn't get banding, I got really peculiar images from the FL ProLine. After disconnecting the camera for a few minutes, all was well.

Another thing to check is your power supply to the camera. I know that these can play havoc, especially during cold weather.

One more thought, could your dewheater or other electrical device be causing the issue?

As you've already done, its best going through all the permutations of kit and seeing where the banding can be reproduced.

Given the dollar rate and price of shipping, you're best exhausting all possibilities before going down the road of a return and repair... But that's a pretty poor response from SBIG (haven't there been hols in the US lately?).

I'm sure I've seen this issue raised on various forums before - I don;t think your issue is unique. That in itself is a bit of comfort - i.e. there must be a cause and therefore a solution.

I thought J41 was a bit quiet lately. I thought you were just slacking, again

Dave

michaeloconnell wrote:

I have heard of banding when the chip is too cold.
Michael.

Thats interesting Mike. As its been really cold lately, I've been letting the CCD get as cold as it can. The camera has the old style sbig cooler, therefore it can go -25 below ambient. However it can be set. I will try running it a little warmer maybe -15. I know it has been working fine at this temperature.

Dave Mc: I ruled out anything in the optical train based on the fact that the banding appears on dark frames too. I also tried a different PSU, USB cable and even computer. All with the same result.

Thanks for the feedback, very useful.

Dave,

I have been an SBIG user for a number of years and this is the first time I have seen something like your situation. When I first saw the message header, I thought I immediately knew what the problem (and solution) was and which changed rather quickly upon reading your comments and looking at your sample image.

Anyway, some thoughts ....

(1) a different type of banding occurs when the CPU is busy with some other process and when the image is about to be downloaded (this was my first reaction when seeing your header)

(2) I am almost convinced SBIG has a two-tiered structure in place ... the old boys club and everyone else. You and I are in the latter group and our messages go unanswered (it is something I have experienced as well)

(3) with respect to service, two major points here ... (a) SBIG has a rep for technical repairs based in France and which will save you a lot of hassles with customs/duties/paper work if the unit is sent to the US for repair and back and (b) avoid SBIG (US) anyway since they will use UPS and in spite of any pleas from your side with UPS grossly exploiting the situation (personal experience!).

If it helps, I can try and search to locate the French rep for you .... and now you see why I have a second SBIG CCD camera on purpose so as to have a backup of everything and even down to the USB cable, power supply etc.

Anthony.

Dave Grennan wrote:

michaeloconnell wrote:

I have heard of banding when the chip is too cold.
Michael.

Thats interesting Mike. As its been really cold lately, I've been letting the CCD get as cold as it can. The camera has the old style sbig cooler, therefore it can go -25 below ambient.

Two comments here ...

(1) I have never heard of banding due to an extreme temperature setting. If it matters, I have gone as low as -30d C and without any problems. I should have an opportunity to go lower this winter and I will purposely do so for my interest and curiosity

(2) as far as I know all SBIG cameras can be taken to -35 degrees Celsius below ambient and, with some models, the figure is -45 degrees Celsius

Anthony.