Freezing cameras

[Thomas 0]

I'm moving into a degree of a sales role now and one of my clients has an odd problem. They are trying to monitor a camera at a Natural Gas facility. Normally that's not too big a deal. But this place is way the heck up north. Like near the north pole north. Has anyone found a camera/housing that can survive -45C to -47F? Also need a PTZ for this guy.

[rory 0]

As for a normal camera, so to speak, ExtremeCCTV has a housing that is used in the antartic or north pole, something like that, no heater needed - in fact I have one installed down here, dont ask why!!!

[Thomas 0]

Good that starts pointing me to the right direction.

[rory 0]

http://www.extremecctv.com/products/index.cfm?img=34

[Cooperman 0]

Hey Thomas, rather than a housing, you'd probably be better off with an igloo

 

As it happens, I had to design a 'pod' camera system some years ago for use in the arctic circle.

 

The camera / lens will need to be maintained at a reasonable temperature to at least guarantee reliability, and if at all possible, you'll need to look at fitting sealed camera housings with highly rated multipole connectors, so that the complete camera assemble can be simply unplugged (provided it's not frozen!), for easy service exchange.

 

I vaguely remember that some of the U.K. manufactured Pan / Tilt heads were offered with special heater / lubricant packs for specific use in arctic conditions.

 

I would imagine companies like Pelco and Cohu would be worth a call, on your side of the pond. It might also be worth making a few enquiries with some Canadian based specialists.

 

Final thought, but do you know if there are any special regs. for using cameras in a gas terminal?

[Thomas 0]

On the last point I have no idea.

[rory 0]

explosion proof?

[AVCONSULTING 0]

Silent Witness Artic Hawk

 

http://www.silent-witness.com/support/docs/V60_093004.pdf

[Thomas 0]

I spoke to some of the security people in some of the engery companies here and that's what they recomend. The only thing I need to find is a PTZ now. I was looking at thier Vortex PTZ and they say they can do to -40C...how realistic is that and is -46C gonna be pushing it too far.

[Cooperman 0]

As a unit the Arctic Hawk looks really interesting; the only slight problem for me, would be what appears to be a range of 'no iris' PCB barrel lenses.

 

If it's relying on electronic iris in high white conditions, the option of closing the lens iris one or even two stops would have been a big advantage for improving the overall picture quality. Neat package though

 

Thomas, I would have thought that most PTZ manufacturers would be able to offer an uprated heater package if that's what is required for operation in extreme low temperatures, unless of course they charge a steep premium for non standard product.

[Thomas 0]

The client would perfer something ment for that enviroment rather then an upgrade.

[rory 0]

As a unit the Arctic Hawk looks really interesting; the only slight problem for me, would be what appears to be a range of 'no iris' PCB barrel lenses.

 

If it's relying on electronic iris in high white conditions, the option of closing the lens iris one or even two stops would have been a big advantage for improving the overall picture quality. Neat package though

 

Thomas, I would have thought that most PTZ manufacturers would be able to offer an uprated heater package if that's what is required for operation in extreme low temperatures, unless of course they charge a steep premium for non standard product.

 

yes Ive used the desert hawk and it is crap as far as the video quality, its no more than a bullet camera type lens and CCD. It was some kind of seller back in the day, since then we have thrown them all out. (we had them at the alarm co here as well as couple other places I have seen them installed)

 

since now you have to go through ADI or whoeever will actually take the time to sell you honeywell .... not even worth talking about Silent Witness, they are silent for sure...

[Cooperman 0]

Hey rory,

 

I somehow doubt the Silent Witness rep will be paying you a visit with new year freebies

 

It's a shame that so many basically sound PCB camera designs are let down by the poor quality lenses. I suppose as with many things, it basically comes down to price rather than professionalism.

[rory 0]

thats just it, they dont care, honeywell is big headed, it thinks its products are "da bomb", when they are not (Ultrack - so 1980's! . Any event, the silent witness price is higher than the rest too.

[Cooperman 0]

Sounds like a simple case of market forces; they'll charge what the end users are prepared to pay for the brand.

 

Honeywell are not a big player in the U.K., but if I get a chance next week I'll dig out the price list; you've got me curious now!

[dusan 0]

hi

look at nitrogen presurized models like pelco espirit wiper model

http://www.pelco.com/products/camerasite/camerasystems/esprit.aspx

 

dusan

[CraigVM62 0]

About a year ago, I did some security alarm installations at a Safeway "big grocery store chain" distribution facility. At this facility they also made their instore brand of ice cream. Part of the process of makeing it required it be placed in a super deep freezer after it was mixed and placed in the cartons. This giant Deep Freezer was a 1000 sq ft walk in where the temp was kept around 50 degrees below zero if I remember correctly. Workers had to wear special gear inside and were not allowed to stay within the room for over 20 min at a time. They had several PTZ dome cameras within so the security dept could monitor, not so much for any kind of theft, but incase something should happen to any worker within. I will see if I can find out what they have installed. I remember that if you walked in with a hot cup of coffee, it was cold in 2 minutes, and frozen over in 5.

[rory 0]

what about the GE Cyber Domes with Heaters or Nitrogen Filled ? Anyone use them yet? I havent just wondering, Dusan seems to have used quite a few of the GE and other products ...