DavidHunter

Interesting ideas. I like the track idea for aligning the wiper!

I'll have to test all this, of course. I'll let you know how I go. May be a few months though.

Thanks again for all your help, sketches, and advice.

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Ah, I see you've put the entire dome on rollers, rather than having the wiper move around the dome. Clever idea.

Thanks heaps for doing those detailed designs for me. I really appreciate your efforts. I think this is certainly something I should be able to build.

The issue of condensation within the dome is largely resolved, actually. The computer hardware that will be inside the dome to control the camera, wiper, sensors, etc., will give off quite a bit of heat, certainly enough most of the time. I also have small heating wires that I can turn on and off as needed. The bigger issue is heat dissipation during summer... but that's another matter.

Interesting idea to use that steel bucket thing you linked to. I was actually planning on 3D printing most of the enclosure, but I'll try and see if I can adapt what I've already got to fit something like that, as it will be a lot cheaper, as you say.

Regarding the obstruction caused by the wiper... I think I may put the blade on a retractable arm. That way a) it's out of the way for the camera, and b) I can retract it into some protected housing so it doesn't deteriorate as fast as if I left it out in the open.

Anyway, the first thing for me to test out will be that FW1 wax. I'll be setting up a camera in a few weeks that'll test that out. At least I'll have something being tested while I build the wiper system.

Thanks again for all your help. I truly appreciate it.

No problem, I'll try to mock something up tonight or tomorrow. My idea would be essentially something that fits over the whole camera, rather than trying to mess with the cameras dome. I'll keep you posted. What are the general dimensions of the camera you want to use?

The camera measures is 45.2 mm wide x 130.6 mm high x 22.9 mm deep (or 17.9 mm if you exclude the camera lenses, which jut out from the camera body slightly).

Thanks again for your help.

What I use is called FW1, no special reason, it's just what I bought and it's convenient being spray on. But here's a video comparing a bunch of waxes

it looks like ceramic might be a good route for longevity. Another option if cost isn't a factor is a fixed wiper blade system that some cameras use. http://xstreamdesigns.com/features/self-cleaning/ it might be a pretty simple item to make yourself if you are engineerically inclined. If you are interested I can always draft up some 3d models on how I would do it.

Thanks so much for that information. I've looked at the FW1 website and it looks impressive. I'll definitely give that a go. It looks better than the other sprays I have tested previously.

I should be able to rig up some sort of automatic sprayer so that it can be sprayed every six weeks or so.

And then I just need a wiper/brush of some sort, as you mention. If you don't mind, could you please create that 3D model of the brush? I'm learning everything as I go (including 3D designing) so I'd appreciate being able to see what you would do and learning from it.

Thanks in advance and thanks again for your help.

David

I would suggest getting a car wax product and applying it to the dome. It will help a lot with dust and water and might even help with the bird droppings. Usually you should only have to re-apply it every few months. I've only ever used it on my car windshield to avoid using my windshield wipers, works like a charm and rain just beads off. I would imagine that on a stationary camera it would last a lot longer.

Thanks for that suggestion, ShaneR. I have seen and experimented with sprays that are meant to do this sort of thing, but didn't have any success. (They were sprays designed for e.g. glass shower screens)

I have never seen this idea in a wax before, though. Do you have any particular brand/product in mind please?

Thanks again for your help.

Another thought is use a glass or uv resistant dome if possible. Plastic domes exposed to the sun/elements will yellow or cloud as they age.

An automotive windshield protectant is the only thing I could think of to help it stay clean.

Ah yeah. Fair point I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for that advice.

It's a full-sphere camera. It sees in all directions, including straight-up.

I am aware of its environmental requirements; I wrote that website text.

I have written software to control the camera using a microcomputer and to automatically upload the images to my server. I don't need to be there in person for them to operate. I can control them remotely if needed.

It is attached to a standard camera tripod mount and needs not be handheld.

I am currently prototyping with a 9" diameter cheap plastic dome from eBay.

All I need to know is how to keep the dome clean with as little human intervention as possible.

My question was about keeping the dome clean.

I'm not asking for advice about the camera itself. I already have that sorted.

You're correct; the thread is titled "Options for keeping upward-facing camera domes clean", which is precisely why I asked in my original post "Does anyone know a way of keeping these camera domes clean to begin with?"

I posted the link to the camera I am using because you asked if I was using a CCTV camera.

Nope, using these bad boys: https://www.huntergeophysics.com/product/ricoh-theta-v-4k-spherical-camera/

Just figured someone in this forum might have a solution.

Hi everyone,

I am installing some weather and star monitoring cameras in a variety of environments around Australia and New Zealand. The cameras are all facing straight up, and so the camera domes are also facing up.

I need a way of keeping these domes as clean as possible for as long as possible.

I'm expecting the following could be problematic:

• Bird crap
• Dust
• Sea spray
• Rainwater
• Other grime...

I have no idea what else to expect as I've never done this sort of thing (outdoor camera domes) before, so I'm open to any thoughts you may have.

The problem is these cameras are going to be mounted on rooftops. So it's going to be a pain to get someone to clean the domes manually. (And I will be at least a two-hour drive of a six-hour flight away from some of the cameras, so I can't do it myself easily either).

Does anyone know a way of keeping these camera domes clean to begin with?

I have heard of special coatings... do they actually work? How many years do they last? Do they affect image quality?

Thanks in advance for your help.

David