Support Team Shaun_E Posted October 15, 2008 Support Team Share Posted October 15, 2008 I often have an issue with condensation on the inside of the lens protector of my RF Concepts bullet camera. Does anyone else suffer from this and has anyone found a solution? On initial use it is fine but after a while it steams up. I noticed at Anglesey this weekend it was fine on Gill's runs but by the time I started my run it had steamed up. This suggests it is heat related - i.e. it happens when the camera has got warm but the outside temperature is cold. Suggestions on how to eliminate this gratefully received as it is ruining most of my video. Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Equalisation of inside and outside temperatures is the way forward. Guess you need an opening somewhere in the outer enclosure to achieve this. Bit like misting up of gauges on Seven dashboard - apertures in the body prevent this temperature differential, and thus no more misting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offspring Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Shaun, Is it possible to tape or glue a small packet of silica gel inside the camera housing? Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted October 15, 2008 Author Support Team Share Posted October 15, 2008 SM25T - The theory is sound but nowhere to drill a hole really. I will take a closer look though. Thanks. Alistair - a very lateral thinking approach! As above there isn't much room between the lens and the protector but I might be able to get a few grains in there. I guess I could try assembling it in the airing cupboard to eliminate any moisture. Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 That will trap a nice load of warm = moist air in there, which will condense on the inside of the lens when you take it outdoors ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offspring Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Perhaps you might try powering the camera without the lens protector on, whilst it is in a shoebox containing a few bags of silica gel. You might even try circulating air within the box and through the silica gel using a CPU fan. Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h_____ Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 The RF instructions say change lens in a dry environment like an airing cupboard. Always change the lens with the cam powered on and warm. When ever I have done this religously I've never got condensation, when ever I've done it out side, I've got condensation. I wouldnt drill a hole myself!! If you do get caught with condensation, screw the front cap off, with the cam powered on and warm, and wipe away. Ive done this successfully in the paddock. however you will then need to go through the dry assembly proceedure to ensure you dont get condensation again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Shaun is the camera on the car when you drive or tow it to events? I found mine did this after towing it to trackdays on rainy days, you could try keeping it dry before fitting it or powering it up for a period with the glass/ shroud off to evaporate the moisture Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Williams Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Shaun, in 4 seasons mine has never steamed up, I've no idea why not. It lives on the car 24/7 so gets as wet and damp as yours will and in the time I've had it the lens cover glass has never been taken off. I power it up on start up so normally it will have been on for 20 mins before I record any video if that makes any difference. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers1 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 This year mine has been just like Shaun's. Identical. Never removed the cover which sugests over time moisture does get in. Anyone got a wheel barrow :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offspring Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Couple of naive questions; Is there an O ring on the front cap? How does the cable enter the camera body? Alistair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted October 15, 2008 Author Support Team Share Posted October 15, 2008 The camera lives on the car permanently and it is driven to events come rain or shine (no trailer for us) so gets wet a lot! The lens cover has an O-ring. This is a new camera which I have never taken the cover off. I had this problem with the old camera and often took the cover off to wipe away condensation. I thought an airing cupboard would be a dry environment. I might try putting the cover on the camera in the airing cupboard. Alistair - the cable enters the camera at the other end and, having dimantled my old broken one, is sealed with lots of black silicone. The issue is obviously moisture in the air gap between the lens and the cover but how can that be eliminated? I might have to try Rain-X anti fog stuff! Yellow SL #32 - member of Drowned Rat Racing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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