Condensation in PTZ cameras in high-humidity areas

[smbaker 0]

My father has a PTZ camera that we've been having some problems with. I don't know the brand of enclosure off-hand, but it was described as a 'weatherproof' enclosure and included o-ring seals between case parts. We tested it by spraying the enclosure with the hose to verify no water could get in, even around the places where the wires entered. The enclosure does not have a fan nor a heater.

 

Anyhow, on a particularly rainy Oregon day, the enclosure fogged up and left about a teaspoon of water in the very bottom of the dome. It didn't un-fog even after a day or two.

 

So, what is a remedy for this? I've looked into some heated/fan enclosures and many of them don't turn on the heater until near freezing and don't turn the fan on until it's pretty warm out. This wouldn't have accomplished anything as temperatures were running in the 35-50 degree range when the condensation occurred. The climate is extremely humid and rainy during the winter and early spring, just not all that cold.

 

Thanks,

Scott

[Soundy 1]

It's possible a little water did get inside when you sprayed it down - not enough to be noticeable anywhere, but enough to create some dampness inside... dampness that would remain there until conditions were right to allow it to condense, at which point it would drip down and pool.

 

Also, remember that IP66 does not mean "gas-tight" or "submersible" - it designates specific sealing against dust and direct spray, but it doesn't guarantee water will never get into it. I've seen water trickle slowly in through the wiring entrance on an IP66 enclosure to the point that it pooled inside... it took a couple months to get to that point, because it was just a very small trickle over a long period of time.