Problem with SBIG ST402XME.

ayiomamitis wrote:
SBIG has a rep for technical repairs based in France

Website: www.medas.fr/

Email: medas@medas.fr

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. 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.

Those temps seem fine to me.
I would typically run my ST8XME at -20C.
It can go to -25C in cold weather like this, but I didn't see much difference in the results.
Do you user MaximDL?
If so, what % power is used to keep the chip cool?
I read somewhere that whatever temperature you select, you should limit the camera fan/cooling system to about 70-80% power while ticking over keeping the temp steady.
Whether of course this is related to your current problem, I don't know.
No harm in checking in any case.

Michael.

ayiomamitis wrote:
Anyway, some thoughts ....
[/quote]

Thanks for that Anthony and Mike.

Well I've done some further testing indoors. It does very much look like I have a real issue.

I tested indoors (18degrees) with a fully charged power tank, brand new USB cable and on my main desktop PC. Same result. I then tested with the cooler off. Same result

I will check out the service department in France and see if they are any better than sbig in the US at responding.