Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 14:54
I'm having trouble with a ST-402 camera with BVIC filter wheel. Basically, if I ever try to use the B filter, the filter wheen gets lost and the camera is useless until I disconnect it and re-connect it (which I don't do). It works fine as long as I stick with any of the V, I or C filters. I've emailed SBIG but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem?
Jim Roe [ROE]
I got my ST-402 in the summer of 2006, and have used it for photometry on at least 200 nights since then. I have not had any problems with the filter wheel, at least not for the B, V, and I filters. I have very rarely used the C filter. Incredibly, the camera has not yet frosted up, although SBIG says it eventually will.
John Centala (CQJ)
If you take the front cover off the camera and watch the filter wheel in action...you will see a linkage part that engages the filter wheel. If it's slightly out of adjustment...that can prevent the wheel from working correctly in all positions. You may be able to adjust it yourself.
Jim,
My ST-402 is very old and I don't have the internal filter wheel but for an interim solution and if you don't use the Clear filter you could probably swap the B and C until SBIG gets you a permanent fix.
Tom Smith
Dark Ridge Observatory, New Mexico