EASY £20 HACK for your ZWO Camera

[@bruceking2327]

Again super video. Bought all components. I’m doing the Newtonian fan hack too. Look forwarded to watching all you videos. I’m 70 years young and brand new to the Astrophotography and this has really helped. THANK YOU. Bruce

[@MPAstro]

Apologies in advanced for replying back to you Bruce, Has I've been taking a break away from KZbin, as I my full time job, With the Golf season started, my work has been so busy laterly and where I live in Scotland, summer time is a really bad season for Astronomy, between May and late July, I will not get any dark skies, as my location never gets dark enough for me to Astro-image anything. Come late August is where I see some improvement of dark skies coming in. Keep watching my videos Bruce, I'm hoping the fan mod and cooler mod has worked out well on your Newtonian telescope and ZWO camera.

[@bruceking2327]

@@MPAstro fully understand. Got both projects completed. Been raining here in Florida USA but hope to test both out this week. Again thanks for sharing your knowledgeable with the Astrophotography World

[@mosesrodriguez1494]

Great Cooling Camera DIY vlog.

[@MPAstro]

Thanks for the visit

[@michaelklemm-abraham7298]

Your logic is sound. In the past there was this rule of thumb: lowering temperature 10 centigrade will cut noise in half. Not sure if it still holds true today but it explains why even a little lower temperature is clearly visible in noise. Very interested in this video because I am also thinking of cooling a small zwo camera. Always good to see things that already have been accomplished.

[@MPAstro]

Thank you Michael!! This is probrarly the best and easiest cooling mod going!! I couldn't believe myself that this was going to work!! But now I will be doing it again with my new ZWO which I currently saving up for, Luckily I have got another USB fridge ready to be taken apart when I finally get the new ZWO camera!!

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I forgot the exact amount of noise reduction, per 10°C but I saw a cooled asteocamera yesterday offering 25°C cooling, and claiming a 75 percent noise reduction. I'd hope so though, because cooled astrocams are bloody expensive, talking a £1000 ish > new

[@michaelklemm-abraham7298]

@@mrtambourineman6107 25 degrees is surprisingly little. Most Cameras at least from ZWO have 2 stage thermoelectric cooling which allows to have the sensor temperature between 35 and 45 below ambient (depending on the model). Nowadays there are cheaper cooled options than in the last couple of years but cooling is not the only thing. I found a big difference between DSLR/Mirrorless camera and cooled monochrome camera.

[@tls3d]

Wow this is great, I want to try it on my 662mc so I just ordered my beer cooler while watching the video LOL One question is bothering me though: Will the fan transmit vibrations to the cam? I think I'll try to ad some kind of tiny silent blocks between the fan and the rad to avoid this possibility.

[@MPAstro]

@@tls3d nope no vibrations at all

[@AstroPixUK]

Excellent video Martin. He certainly is the king of DIY Astronomy. Thanks for all the hard work and everything you do in the Astro community……. Stuff the haters!

[@MPAstro]

Thank AstroPix, I have had a lot on my plate laterly, I've lost a Loyal MP ASTRO fan and close friend who passed away last month, I'm still struggling to cope with the loss, Hence why I needed to keep my mind occupied and busy, and these videos are not just here to help people but to help myself in the process!!

[@NoNameNoFamily-n7x]

Brilliant! Everything is very simple and clear. Thank you very much.

[@MPAstro]

Glad it helped!

[@colinhunter5843]

many thanks for this video. i put one on my asi294mc. i also put the control unit on that you used on your dslr. much appreciated

[@MPAstro]

Thanks for sharing Colin TOP WORK AS ALWAYS!!

[@tomwall8403]

Martin. I have a ZWO 224 that needs its sensor/window cleaned and I can't figure out how to open it up. At 1:10:44 you opened your 120 up. How did you do this and are the 120 and 224 the same type of case? Unscrewing seemed like the logical thing, but I don't want to break things. Thanks!

[@MPAstro]

You should be able to unscrew it the same way as my ASI120MC-S, Just be careful and take your time!! Also a little bit of dust on the sensor will not harm the camera, so as long it's not affecting the images than don't bother taking it apart.

[@tomwall8403]

@@MPAstro Thank you. Subscribed.

[@MPAstro]

@@tomwall8403 Thank your support to MP ASTRO. Look forward for some brand new videos coming soon!!

[@bruceking2327]

Martin some folks may not be able to thread a copper rod. However, you are able to purchase Brass bolts. Brass is also a great thermal conduct. Your tip are amazing. I really enjoy your efforts. Will build one for my camera. Bruce

[@MPAstro]

that simple copper stud trick is really effective on the cooling process, Brass should work as another alternative

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

I loved that!! Excellent work, as always, Martin, thank you!!

[@MPAstro]

I've provided the links now, feel free to give this hack a BLAST!!!

[@rickolson1738]

this is really a game changer! nice mod and thanks for making this! cheers!!!

[@MPAstro]

No problem!

[@zer0k0ol58]

Was there a reason the 1/4-20 tripod mount screw was not used instead? Its a single hole and would carry the cold deeper into the camera body.

[@e.morrienh]

hello, wy i dont see the tempareture chancing in charpcap?

[@vicamaral]

Brilliant idea instead of super clue use copper silicone past clue double cooling LOL.

[@MPAstro]

Great idea

[@danbater]

Do you know if the Player One Active Cooling System ACS fits the ZWO. I cannot find the dimensions online too see if they are the same as Player Ones.

[@MPAstro]

I don't know Daniel, Though give it try, sometimes you have to risks when making projects like these!! Go for it you never know what outcome will bring doing these hacks!!

[@ronaldleedham4719]

Very cleaver! Thanks for the video!

[@MPAstro]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@shaunmk]

excellent work Martin, well done

[@MPAstro]

Glad you enjoyed it Shaun

[@nexus5212]

the other day I remember you, I thought it will be Martin's for a long time since he does anything on KZbin, I'm glad to hear from you. a greeting my friend greetings from Spain

[@MPAstro]

Thank you Nexus5212, It's been a while, I've had a lot on plate, lost a good friend who passed away, things have been tough, still injured in my wrist, however due to leave my old job, so I've been busy focusing on my Resettlement, so been on a lot courses, hence the absence. But like always I remain loyal to all my MP ASTRO fans, Keeping up the good work, with more new videos coming soon!!

[@nexus5212]

@@MPAstro Martin that many of us here consider you a part of all of us... and many congratulations on the new video, many will already be making the invention of the video

[@alexkerr306]

Perfect mod for beginners...save loads...cheers.

[@MPAstro]

No problem 👍

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Great video.... I'm using a ZWO 183MC for bright objects (smaller and less expensive than the pro version). It seems to do a good job uncooled. But for extended exposures, your mod makes a lot of sense. I'm curious if bolting an aluminum heatsink to the back of my 183, using a 1/4" copper screw (no fan or compound) would help enough to bother with? Your thoughts please....

[@MPAstro]

The copper screw will work, if you can screw the heat sink that way. Using cooling paste will help the cooling alot more efficient. However the fan helps cool it down even further with the cooling, the main problem with heatsinks is that they do desspiate the heat to a certain point but than gradually the cooling will be affected as the hot side of the peliter will overcome the cooling side and thus the cooling will not work at all. So a fan is defo needed to complete the job.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

@@MPAstro I see your point, thanks Martin.

[@FyreMunky69]

Thanks For This Video... For One... This Is Much Easier Than Your Prior Video On Cooling Your Videos Have Also Made Me Not Regret Buying The Same ZWO Model As Yours Going To Be Using This On A 16" Goto Dob

[@MPAstro]

Glad I could help I enjoyed making video and I cannot believe how effective this simple mod actually is, Your 16" dob will show amazing detail with a ZWO camera

[@astrophotonics9470]

I'm going to try this on my ASI462MC to get the noise floor down a bit, nice mod.

[@MPAstro]

Sounds great! Go for it what is stopping you!!

[@jamesball1456]

Good evening all .And thanks again Martin for your help and sharing your hard work and effort ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@MPAstro]

Thank you James, I know it's a long video, purely I want show evidence to show this Hack works I'm not going to lie to my viewers, just to click bait them, some viewers don't even give me a chance to express, just dislike video when I'm trying my best to help!!

[@viperboych]

be good to see results with some insulation around the camera

[@MPAstro]

Yep no more blocks of ice anymore

[@michelmoreno990]

THANKS fot this vidéo !!! M

[@MPAstro]

No problem!

[@lespoy445]

Another fan where its water is condensing and thermal paste glue might be good solutions. Neat.

[@MPAstro]

Great point! Give it a try you never know?

[@jean-mariealcaraz1595]

Nice video martin!! You are the king of reasoned do-it-yourself and I congratulate you. A question: it works on 5v usb output from a powerbank currently, can we put it on 12v under the same conditions? I thank you admirably.

[@MPAstro]

You could try it, put you may put strain on the electrics and something will blow, What the heck it's a cheap mod, and you always replace it!!

[@jean-mariealcaraz1595]

Thanks

[@markwhalebone751]

A great bargain hack Martin, well worth a go.

[@MPAstro]

Defo Mark, cheap & easy!!

[@Mistr_A]

How's the arm going mate? haven't seen you on for a while

[@MPAstro]

Still not right, been waiting a while to see a hand specialist, still no joy so I have been on rehab for a while.

[@NMHC1978]

I have a zwo ASI183MC not peltier or fan cooled. I was asking myself if i would try this cooling hack. What about the condens on the front. Can this not been solved when i put a heater ribbon on the nosepiece ?

[@MPAstro]

I reckon it would, I know that there is dew band heater strips that can be bought and installed, I have no idea why ZWO haven't done these for the cooling versions of the camera. If you can find a way to power these then I couldn't see why not!! Here is the link for these dew strap heaters: www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-anti-dew-heater-strip-for-asi-cooled-cameras.html

[@NMHC1978]

You could use this budget easy hack for cooling a 600D DSLR for example

[@MPAstro]

I like your way of thinking, even though I've done the cooling mod before for the Canon 600D, something to look into!!

[@markwelsh9068]

Martin, you certainly come up with very detailed and valuable videos. Excellent work. Can I ask what you used for the pics behind you? I'm surprised at how high quality they are given how large you have printed them.

[@MPAstro]

Yes, absolutely I got them printed by a company called MYPICTURE: You edit your images online and they will make awesome canvas prints for you. Check out their website at: www.my-picture.co.uk/offer/?ia-pkpmtrack=61-0363037383737323131303-180008069-950201457-116126548184&.co.uk_Brand_%5BSearch%5D&ef_id=c37f83a296f61d0176aae0f7ce9da4ce:G:s&msclkid=c37f83a296f61d0176aae0f7ce9da4ce

[@markwelsh9068]

@@MPAstro Thanks Martin, have you ever owned a fork mounted LX10 by any chance? I just bought one and I have all sorts of trouble with the Drives.

[@markwelsh9068]

@@MPAstro Re the photos: I guess the resolution of them had to be high to be able to blow them up that size? Possible on a DSLR?

[@MPAstro]

@@markwelsh9068 Yes with resoultion of around 10000dpi, you can do this with a DSLR, and if you Photoshop you can have high res images

[@MPAstro]

@@markwelsh9068 Yep I had Meade ETX 125, excellent optics, but the fork mounts are rubbish, very noisy and it did fail electronically. It's a real shame, it's the biggest downfall for Meade products

[@gwzapo]

Great video presentation Martin! Sorry I missed it from beginning and will watch again from the beginning. I do have a question: is there any way to have a different driver loaded such as the pro cameras to possibly allow software to control the temp?

[@MPAstro]

Thanks Gary for watching, it's weird that you said that I've noticed ZWO do not offer regulated cooling, even on the dedicated cool cameras. Something to look into this one, though I have not found any drivers for that purpose

[@gwzapo]

​@@MPAstro Interesting point. I figured the software used for imaging would pick up on it, but it may require some editing of the drivers maybe, but that's out of my league. At least ZWO provides the SDK files in their support section.

[@MPAstro]

Defo ZWO have been good and they have improved so much on their tech support, When they first introduced it was not the case. However I will always opt for ZWO any day, their products are simply amazing!!

[@gwzapo]

@@MPAstro I totally agree. They have made amazing cameras for the more common astrophotographer to be fantastic.

[@cornholio209]

Nice work i tried it too. But the sound of the video is often very 👎

[@MPAstro]

Sorry for that!! The laptop was to blame, plugging the ZWO camera, microphone, opening my video editing software and then Sharpcap, while taking exposures, this was really pushing my laptop to the max, hence the cut outs in the sound. I will start to invest in better computer ideally one that can use on 4K video software but these are god damn expensive at moment.

[@johnhill1470]

Another great video. I've already added a cooler to my ZWO120MM based on your previous video but I found that dew formed on the focal length reducer. I've now added the ZWO dew heater to the camera body and whilst I've only tried it out on my kitchen table it does seem to prevent dew. Have you had any problems with dew forming?

[@MPAstro]

Thank you for watching John, Yes once, hence why I had to remove focal reducers from it, the cold temp would condense over the lens element. The dew heater will work effectively for the Original cooled ZWOs when they were first introduced a few years ago, they had to have this heater element has these where not initially fitted, Now the new ones come with an inbuilt heater system. Don't John the condensation is normal, the body does protect the electronics really well, I have used these small dessicant tablets which help to prevent moisture getting inside, works really well too!! astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/desiccant-tablets-cooled-cameras

[@SpaceFactsWax]

Thanks for uploading. I had the chance to see a rocket launch in 2018. Incredible experience. I posted a pretty cool montage of the journey to my channel.

[@MPAstro]

Thank you watching my video Space Facts Wax, To be honest one of my goals is observe a Rocket Launch, maybe some day, I 'll check out your montage on your channel once I've got the spare time, work has been a nightmare for me!!

[@Photographer1203]

Dude only 18°C i can make a set up for £20 that could probably get below 0. i have made a set up that can get to below -30°C with ambiet temperature being 30°C all for £55

[@MPAstro]

@@Photographer1203 it doesn't matter even it's 0 degrees, you are still cooling the camera to reduce noise, even if you can cool it down 7 degrees noise levels are so much reduced. If you made a setup that cools your camera down to -30 degrees, without condensation entering inside the cameras electronics, then you should help the community and make a video, so you justify your case. I'm guessing you either made a cold finger mod or used an Uprated CPU processor cooling system.

[@Photographer1203]

@MPAstro no I'm using a water cooled 2-stage peltier plate to reach -30°C and a simple dessicant pack inside the camera casing should be enough to keep condensation from happening well in this case it not really condensation its more like frost

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Wow! It cooled down the whole room!!

[@MPAstro]

Lol I wish mine was that good!!

[@rudirakete770]

1hour for this video is a bit to mutch for me. dont get me wrong i love it, but a 30min video is mutch more intresting for me.imho

[@MPAstro]

Sorry Rudi, it wouldn't have to be a hour, If I removed the testing stage, However I just had to show the practical tests to show the hack really works, I wanted to make sure my tests so the evidence, there's too many channels which are staged and make false claims. Here my videos are long, and I totally get it, but my channel is authentic, real and not entertainment channel.

[@christopherhamm1574]

Good content BUT, way too much repeated information. You keep going on and on and on saying the same thing.

[@MPAstro]

So sorry Chris, I tend to waffle on about it, But I will take this constructive advice on board.

[@christopherhamm1574]

@@MPAstro like I said, great content. Perhaps you can write a script or just a few notes to work off of instead of nervous jabbering. I also suggest to omit mind numbing dead air of waiting for something to happen. Even at 100x speed your dark field portion was a complete waste of time.. Once you fix these issues, I will definitely be a huge fan. Also, to further polish your work, when you do something like use a dremel and creating a huge mess clean it up before continuing your video. Folks like me with OCD find dragging the cord through a huge mess frustrating. I could only concentrate on the mess and not the presentation. PS… no worries as this is not the only channel that has these issues. There is a “small telescope” channel that suffers from the same thing. I most sincerely dont want to offend you but am cheering you on to produce more great content in a higher quality format.

[@surinderparkash1135]

@@christopherhamm1574 good constructive advice. I love MPastro’s content and always wished he used a decent microphone, still I love his passion and will continue to watch and lean from him.

[@oz6123]

Cost difference between a non-cool and cooled ASI178 is $300 Canadian. Save yourself a few hundred and make your own cooling device. May not be the prettiest, but this isn't a beauty contest.

[@MPAstro]

Definitely good advice, the price jump is unreal for cooled and uncooled cameras, I like how ZWO allow their camera bodies are made with the M4 screw mountings to allow for a budget cooling system to be fitted. Why no other company does this is beyond me??

[@moshesalama]

Awful sound quality! Get a proper microphone !

[@MPAstro]

Already invested in one, hopefully to improve on my videos, thanks for watching