Got Argus2 + ISI Surveyor, have some comments and questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2022, 02:15:01 pm
content: Hi, I just got those BST cameras arrived. Luckily both are in good working condition.Here's some questions/comments:Argus:Q1. I removed the CRT, how can I also remove the HV parts?Q2. Is the core working in fixed gain mode like Argus 3? Or full auto?Q3. Can I bypass the GUI overlay and get a clean composite output?C1. The GUI refresh is really slow, although I don't care.C2. The picture is not flat, even with lens blocked. There's several brighter/darker rings, look like bad lens quality?ISI:C1. The core is a "half" S300A, not a digital one like advertised. It's indeed physically half: The bottom is Raytheon original, the top cover is custom.C2. So I can easily throw away all custom boards, the direct composite video out is good without overlays.Q1. Anyone have the pinout for S300A 20pin connectors? There are 5 additional pins with leaded wire, I want to know what they do.Both:Why are both sensor crackedI bought them from different seller, and they both look/work well, but one sensor have a crack on the bottom, another on the sideEdit: only the ISI is cracked, Argus not.Thanks for reading and welcome to reply.

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2022, 03:04:23 pm
content: Quote from: Logan on September 17, 2022, 02:15:01 pmQ1 - The whole board can come off. It is a stand alone display. The analogue out is simply wired through.Q2 - Yes. it is fixed gain / offset with the Argus iris control run from the analogue video.Q3 - Yes - take it from the 80 way connector output from the core. I think the earlier teardown threads on here have the pin number you need. There are two video outs - one without syncs which we used for the iris and one with syncs (probably) which goes nowhere except a test pin. No circuit immediately to hand.C1 Yes. A very slow microcontroller bit bashing into a dual port video RAM. To speed up the refresh it 'starts' at the top of the battery bar / temperature readout.C2 - Reflections from the internal face of the lens - narcissus effects seeing the sensor die temperature. No easy fix with that lens design pattern and the chopper wheel alternately covering and clearing.regardsBill

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 04:10:13 am
content: Thanks a lot Bill.BTW, I just found mine have analog version core inside, unlike Fraser's digital version.There are also several jumpers and pots inside, I'll try them later to find out what are they for...

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2022, 04:27:12 pm
content: It depends a bit on which version of the detector board you have got in the camera, there were 5 or more variations. The 'digital BST' ones (slight variation in 80 way pinout) and some later analogues has the facility to bypass the auto gain and replace with pots. I tidied up how it was presented a bit in the later design iterationsHowever none were sold with pots fitted. The pot on the BST core is for shutter phase adjustment.Later in the 'Argus3 repair' thread i answered some queries about the Argus 2 board.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/argus-3-(bst)-teardown-and-repairs/44/Pots on display PCB are your usual old TV controls - height / brightness / focus etc.Will be labelled in legend with something not too cryptic !Bill

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 03:06:16 pm
content: Thanks Bill!Some new little discovers:The 6 jumpers on the Argus control board do nothing really useful, but with certain combinations, it can make the normal thermal screen having a border on top, saying "Argus"...On the 20pin connector of S300A, pull pin 7 to low change to black hot.Argus motor driver stablized at ~2.4v, while S300A stablized at ~1.25v. Maybe the longer shaft gives Argus more load?

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 05:30:08 pm
content: Are they the same motor ?The OEM kits all used Faulhaber black 'long' bodied motors.Some Raytheon internal products (eg Cadillac driver visions) used a 'flat' silver CD drive motor.The Argus 2&3 also changed over to the CD motor as we found that the digital BST had some odd chopper speed instabilities with the Faulhaber motor.Otherwise it is possible that running with the shaft extension has begun to do for the motor bearings - is the Argus2 motor noisy ?Bill

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2022, 05:34:22 pm
content: Quote from: Bill W on September 19, 2022, 05:30:08 pmYes. Both Faulhaber.Quote from: Bill W on September 19, 2022, 05:30:08 pmNo.

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2022, 01:31:00 pm
content: Anyone knows how to remove the lens from the frame on Argus2? It seems glued together.I need to replace the lens, the original is so bad, that even have a dark corner.

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2022, 01:43:40 pm
content: It is a single assembly, the plate is indeed bonded on to the round section.I have good condition spares though.http://www.fire-tics.co.uk/spares.htmI'll stand by the GBP40 inclusive postage for you in the USPM for my paypal details if you are interestedBill

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2022, 01:58:20 pm
content: Thanks Bill.I just separate them by brute force...I fit a new lens from the defective Carnis Viper, works perfectly, I even get a much wider FOV.Love it!

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2022, 11:10:24 am
content: Quote from: Bill W on September 17, 2022, 03:04:23 pmThe external video from the BST is on pin 11 of the grey 80 way connector.Depending on Detector PCB version you might have a 6 way unfitted 'PL4' that gives you a 'volts in - video out' connection. To use it without the control PCB you would also need to change over to manual or auto control of SECCA gain and offset.The external video is also present on a test point 'TP25' roughly in the middle of the control PCBBill

author: Logan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2022, 02:31:43 pm
content: Thanks a lot Bill!I'll try it next time I take it apart.