Electrophysics PyroViewer 5550 Infrared Camera  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Niall135
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 03:26:05 pm
content: Hi, Has anyone come across one of these befor

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 05:15:30 pm
content: Yes, and the technology within it.What do you want to know ?Fraser

author: Niall135
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 06:51:12 pm
content: Any documentation, setup. Do's and don'ts. Specifications. I dont want to be sending you the pevicon tube from this one. Thanks. N

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 08:23:46 pm
content: It is a lot of years since I used one of these cameras. I shall have a look in my archives to see if I have any documentation.You already know that it is a Pevicon tube based camera so no surprise for you thereFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 08:50:50 pm
content: I just checked my archive and sadly that camera is not to be found there. It is pre internet in term of documentation.The only documentation I know of for Pevicon cameras is that produced by EEV (ARGUS) and ISG (Talisman) for their fire fighting cameras. The technology in these Pevicon cameras is similar. Sadly you are working with technology for which there is very limited support but some forum members have been involved in the production of cameras using Pevicon tubes, so may be able to comment if you need to repair or adjust your unit. The Pevicon tube biases may need adjustment for best performance and it may need to be "Poled".Fraser

author: Niall135
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2025, 10:16:31 pm
content: Thanks Fraser. I'll scour firetics once i know which tube is in it. It was sold as semi working... it gave temp readings but no picture. I noticed in the listing photos that the chopper had a switch that was set to locked )pan mode i presume) so fingers crossed it is working properly. Ta. N

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2025, 11:09:10 am
content: It is more likely to be a 'hard' vacuum tube run at the full datasheet voltages for better performance.Maybe comparable with a P8093 tube if not that exact part.The fire cameras were 'soft' tubes (more stable on overloads) and set up for reduced power consumption consistent with an 'OK' image for firefighting use.It is quite old so may not have a lot of image processing - there are obvious similarities to the P4222 camera I show onhttps://www.fire-tics.co.uk/4221+4228.htm.Probably EEV copying Electrophysics and I doubt we sold more than a handfull!Bill

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2025, 01:42:41 pm
content: When working on equipment of this cameras age, it often pays dividends to fit new electrolytic and Tantalum capacitors in the power supply section of the unit. Use equivalent or better specification components to avoid issues. Poor quality power rails can really ruin your day when trying to diagnose unusual behaviour or attempting to adjust biases. There are high voltages in these tube based cameras so care is needed but they are not unduly dangerous to work on.Fraser