How can I reduce cleaning and contamination on an outdoor all-sky camera dome?
Asked 3/11/2018
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I'm installing remote rooftop all-sky cameras that point straight up under a clear protective plastic dome. Because the cameras are difficult to access, I want to minimize manual cleaning for as long as possible.
The main issues are bird droppings, dust, rainwater, sea spray, and general grime. I've looked at hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings used on CCTV domes, but I'm unsure how well they work for an upward-facing dome exposed directly to rain, and whether any coating could noticeably reduce light transmission or image quality in low-light astronomy use.
What practical methods can help keep an upward-facing camera dome clean with minimal human intervention?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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Seems to me I've seen cameras on racing cars that have a thin plastic film (think Saran Wrap) in front of the lens that is rolled past every so often, from a clean roll to a take-up roll. An example of this in action is here. I don't know that this would be feasible for a 180 degree field of view (the roll structure would be at the edges of the frame), but depending on your needs it might work.
There are also superhydrophobic coatings that could be used for lenses or lens domes that might minimize any 'stickage' resulting from bird droppings, etc.
Originally by user11772. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11772
8y ago
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There isn’t a perfect no-maintenance solution, but a few approaches can reduce cleaning needs.
A hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating may help water shed more easily and make dirt or bird droppings less likely to stick, though it won’t fully solve contamination. For astronomy, any coating should be chosen carefully because added surfaces or imperfect coatings can affect transmission, contrast, and image quality.
A mechanical solution may work better. One option is a replaceable clear film system, where a fresh layer is advanced in front of the dome or viewing area when the outer surface gets dirty. This is used in some motorsports cameras, but it may be difficult with a very wide or 180° field of view.
Another idea is a rotating dome or spinning clear window. Even moderate rotation can help fling off water and discourage dust buildup; high-speed spinning systems are used in marine applications. This could reduce rain and grime problems, but bird droppings may still be an issue unless rotation is fast enough.
In practice, the best answer is likely a combination of a high-quality optical coating plus some mechanical cleaning or replacement method.
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