SXVR-H16 handbook - Starlight Xpress

Handbook for the SXVR-H16 Issue 1 June 2009As can be seen above, there is a CCD temperature monitoring window at the righthand side of the panel. At switch-on, this will default to full power cooling with anend point of -40C and, needless to say, this is rather extreme. I recommend changingthe set point to about -10C for normal use, but you can go much colder if you areimaging during the winter months. Under indoor conditions, the low airflow will limitthe cooling capability, and you should use a set point of no lower than -5C for stablecooling. You can determine the optimum settings for your camera and ambientconditions when you have some experience of using the system, but do not try tooperate at extreme cooling when the air temperature is high.Recording your first image:We now have the camera and computer set up to take pictures, but an optical systemis needed to project an image onto the CCD surface. You could use your telescope,but this introduces additional complications, which are best avoided at this earlystage. There are two simple options, one of which is available to everyone:1) Attach a standard ‘M42’ SLR camera lens to the SXVR-H16, using the 27mmspacer/adaptor to achieve approximately the correct focal distance.2) Create a ‘Pin hole’ lens by sticking a sheet of aluminium baking foil over the endof the lens adaptor and pricking its centre with a small pin.6