Old thermal imager device - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 01:31:02 am
content: Picked up what seems to be a thermal imager last year, labeled as "PERI-Z59 ZUB WO-Empfanger" made by Elektro-Spezial for Philips GmbH and dated 11/79. Google hasn't been much help, anyone here familiar with the device?Just looking for info to hopefully get it hooked up and working. I've managed to disassemble it a bit to see the electronic boards which look similar to ones in an IRC-660T teardown video I saw on the 'tube, but something is preventing me from pulling the casing off any further so cannot see what type of sensor it use. I'm hoping it's a pyroelectric vidicon type as I'd really like one of those.

author: Spirit532
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 02:59:21 am
content: Photos would be very helpful to identify what it is.11/79 places it as either a super-early pyrovidicon or LN2 scanner.

author: Cat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 07:18:41 am
content: According to  (German surplus shop) and :The PERI Z59 is an Night Vision Device Image intensifier, which includes a small monitor. The PERI Z59 WO-Empfänger (Wärmeortungs-Empfänger = thermal locating receiver) is a thermal scanner, it does not project a picture only an image, which is shown over the monitor. Objects that are camouflaged such as vehicles or persons are not precisely indicated.To connect the WO-Empfänger there is possibly the PERI Z59 Zub Powersupply needed.http://helmut-singer.de/stock/k1.html5.htmlhttp://www.ebay.de/itm/360474281221

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 01:32:25 pm
content: Mix,Why do you want a Pyroelectric Vidicon based thermal camera ?The most common PVT based cameras are the EEV/Marconi ARGUS 1 fire fighting cameras. I own several.PVT based cameras are definitely an important part of thermal imaging history but the PVT does require some maintenance over its life. Adjustment of bias voltages etc.I am just interested to know why you were hoping for a PVT. I might be able to equip you with such a PVT based camera or even better.Fraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2018, 02:19:00 pm
content: Could you share some images of the device? Maybe of the insides as well?The first source that got linked is really interesting. It seems to be an electronics reseller in a town about 1hour away from me. I looked through their website and found a lot of military grade night vision system, including version few thermal imaging systems. For other hobbies they got all kinds of optical systems and I definitely plan to go there.

author: Mox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 10:41:53 pm
content: Here's what I managed to get of the inside plus the connector -From measurements I estimate the section for the sensor is 17 or 16cm long, probably not cooled as there is no refill port though it may have a Stirling engine as Philips was experimenting with the technology at the time.I'm wanting to have a PVT based camera mainly because I like the history of the technology and to have something to compare with the night vision stuff I display at public shows, hopefully this if I can get it working or an EEV P4428. I did have an MRTI before but gave up because of the 30psi ultra pure air required. Just got an IRISYS 1011 which has been very fun to use and will be great for the display.

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 11:23:28 pm
content: As far as I understand it. It's part of an imaging system used in tanks. It was originally a night vision camera with image intensifiers, but they added this thermal module to it afterwards. The tank is Wiesel 1.The use the thermal unit you need the base unit as well, and a power supply. I saw the power supply on eBay for 180€.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2018, 11:44:09 pm
content: From what I can tell it is a thermal detector rather than a thermal camera. I suspect it is aligned with the night vision image intensifier and displays a warning if a thermal source is present within the field of view. A kind of early warning system to alert the tank commander to a hidden threat that the night vision equipment cannot easily see. There is no thermal image as such produced, just a warning signal to the night vision equipment.The detector is likely an uncooled thermopile or similar, as commonly used in modern IR thermometers. Not known for their fast response time but more than adequate in this application. It is basically a thermal 'spot meter'.I used to own a couple of P4428 cameras but rehomed them to a museum/display project. The P4428 is quite old and could be considered collectible so prices have been rising. It is cheaper to purchase an EEV ARGUS 1 if you want a Pevicon camera. The early ISG Talisman camera also contains the Pevicon tube. We have an expert in Pevicon technology on the forumTake a look at the Fire-Tics web site if you have not already done so.http://www.fire-tics.co.uk/There is a forum there where you can ask questions and obtain helpThere is a teardown of the P4428 and it's correct alignment on that forum as well.Fraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 12:39:18 am
content: I would be really interested in the germanium lenses elements that are in the unit you have. If I get to scrape the same unit for the 209€ price, it would be great to know, if the Germanium in there is anything useful.

author: Mox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 10:49:50 pm
content: Thankyou, shame it's just a detector, but thought it was something more given all the electronics and what looked like an analogue decoder/encoder circuit. Glad I only paid 20 euro for itFraser, I might take you up on your offer of a PVT based camera, basically any type would do. Could you PM me please?Mike

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 12:15:26 am
content: Mox,It could well be multi pixel but nothing of significant resolution. I have not been inside one of these.20 Euro was a great price that I would have happily paid for such a unit. You did well. The lens in the unit may be single or multi element and it is Germanium. Such are very expensive New and hard to find in a decent size. I buy surplus lenses and adapt them to modern cameras.I will PM you regarding my ARGUS 1 and Talisman Pevicon cameras.Fraser

author: Mox
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 02:00:51 am
content: I managed to pull the 4 vertical electronics cards, can take pics if needed. The Germanium lens is about 8cm in diameter.

author: ActionScripter
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 01, 2025, 04:33:07 am
content: Hey OP, I have some info about the unit you picked up!The WOE (wärmeortungsempfänger) is a rare, 1970s vintage night vision sight for West German armored vehicles, with an integrated thermal detector overlay. It would display red dots over the places in the night vision scope that had warm targets.There are very few details compiled about it in the open internet, even 40 years after it was last relevant, and most articles skip over it as simply "thermal sight" or similar phrasing, leading most people to assume it's just a FLIR optic.My team recently dug up a bunch of documentation on this unit to make a simulated version of it, and I'm happy to report I can show you what it likely looks like when powered on and employed in the field.The thermal detector outputs to a 60x20 dot grid of P27 phosphor at a 2 Hz refresh rate.More information and specs here:https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1705180/view/514087985507992540

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2025, 05:33:16 am
content: That's awesome!Would you be willing to share some of the documentation with folks here?Great to see the crossover between the gaming, milsim, thermal imaging, and electronics communities!

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2025, 09:45:52 am
content: It's really interesting to read about this synthetic infrared in computer graphics here. During my jobsearch I saw a job listing for a master thesis position that looks into training a CV model on synthetic infrared images of UAS for a defense task. Sadly I don't really qualify - but might still apply, as it rare to find a position that combines several of my hobbies.