6 replies to this topic

[MercyMoon]

I’ve been using a Canon T7 for a while and finally pulled the trigger on an ASI2600MC Pro. I know I’ll gain cooling and a better QE curve.

Any issues with moisture, power, or backfocus I should know about with this camera? I’ll be using it with a Redcat 71 and probably a ZWO filter drawer.

[Jim Waters]

You need to create Darks for each temperature you will be imaging at and each sub length.

You need to create a BIAS. 

At low TEC settings (Temperatures) turn on the camera dew heater.

Backfocus is 55mm unless otherwise stated on scopes, FF and FR/FF.

Offset is 50 and use Gain 100.

Power the camera with a 'GOOD' 12 volt DC supply.  Do NOT use the ZWO supplies...!  I use this https://pegasusastro...r-supply-units/

 

 

Welcome to Cloudy Nights MercyMoon.

 

EDIT

The ASI2600 HUB isn't powered.  Purchase a 12VDC Powered USB3 HUB.  

When you post turn On 'Follow This Topic'. Upper right.

Edited by Jim Waters, 31 May 2025 - 11:32 PM.

[abiermans]

You need to create Darks for each temperature you will be imaging at and each sub length.

You need to create a BIAS. 

At low TEC settings (Temperatures) turn on the camera dew heater.

Backfocus is 55mm unless otherwise stated on scopes, FF and FR/FF.

Offset is 50 and use Gain 100.

Power the camera with a 'GOOD' 12 volt DC supply.  Do NOT use the ZWO supplies...!  I use this https://pegasusastro...r-supply-units/

 

 

Welcome to Cloudy Nights MercyMoon.

 

EDIT

The ASI2600 HUB isn't powered.  Purchase a 12VDC Powered USB3 HUB.  

When you post turn On 'Follow This Topic'. Upper right.

The power supplies on that page are either complete overkill or actually not enough for just a camera. The 10A/20A supplies you would use to power your entire setup. A 3A power supply is fine (for just the camera).

Whether or not you set your gain to 100 depends on what you are trying to do. There are certainly use cases for a gain of 0 or >100.

 

Be prepared for higher quality images.

[Jim Waters]

I was unaware Pegasus Astro had a 20 amp version of their 12 volt supply.  Ten amps is more than enough.

 

Again, don't use ZWO 12 volt supplies.  Under load I have seen the voltage drop as low as 11.4 volts.  This will cause issues.  Use the default gain of 100.  There may be some value of Gain 0 for Globular Clusters.

[abiermans]

I was unaware Pegasus Astro had a 20 amp version of their 12 volt supply.  Ten amps is more than enough.

 

Again, don't use ZWO 12 volt supplies.  Under load I have seen the voltage drop as low as 11.4 volts.  This will cause issues.  Use the default gain of 100.  There may be some value of Gain 0 for Globular Clusters.

Just for reference. ZWO states the camera should work within the voltage range 11-15VDC. 11.4V 'should' not cause issues. Buying a 10A supply to power just the camera is a waste of money unless you power your entire setup with it.

With the dew heater on and cooling at 100% the measured current draw is 2.1A. I used a 3A supply for the camera without issues. I upgraded to the 10A supply Jim linked to to power my entire setup.

 

Gain 0 is useful if you want to use the full well depth of the camera. Examples are bright objects (globular clusters or bright centers of nebulae as mentioned by Jim) or when imaging under heavy light pollution.

A gain >100 can be useful for plate solving or focusing where speed is more important.

[Elminster]

As a slight aside. I use the Pegasus Astro 20A psu and that is powering everything (including cooled cam and hub, dew heaters, aaf, guide scope, mount, etc) and still drawing less than 10A

[piaras]

Unless one has a short, electrical equipment only draws what it needs. I simply use a power supply that is higher than the expected peak demand and stopped caring after that. 
Pierre