Stereo microscope fogging up? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 01:42:05 am
content: Lately I've been having issues with long soldering sessions on the stereo microscope. Vision in one of the two eyepieces will slowly darken, and when I pull the eyepiece, I can see what looks like condensation down inside microscope. After not using it for a while, the problem will go away. This is an Amscope, which I've had for several years.Anyone else have an issue like this and/or know of an easy solution? Seems like it is a recent phenomenon.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 03:46:30 am
content: Is it used in a cold environment?Is it breath vapour condensation maybe?I work in a warm environment 20 to 40 Celsius and have not had that issue with my amscope.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 04:38:36 am
content: Simplest fix is to heat the microscope body, using a power resistor or a heater mat bonded to the body, so it is at above room temperature.

author: smbaker
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 04:49:05 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on December 11, 2017, 03:46:30 amI use it in my second floor office, which I'd say is generally around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So that should fit your 20 to 40 C range.I will look into finding some way to heat it. I have some power resistors on hand, so that sounds doable.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 01:21:29 pm
content: Perhaps email support at Amscope before you do too much. They might have some ideas on whats happening.I found them quite helpful when I was purchasing my scope.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2017, 01:55:56 pm
content: If you keep the microscope at normal room temperature, fogging is not suppose to happen.My no name microscope never gets foggy, but I don't think I ever used it continuously for more than a half an hour.Fog and condensation forms only when the air get colder.- when is warm, the water solubility in air is big, so a lot of water vapors (humidity) will be suspended in air- when the temperature decreases, the water solubility also decreases, so less water vapors can float in the air- the excess water vapors from when the air was hotter will need to go somewhere, so condensation will start to happen- the temperature at which, for a given air humidity, the water start to condensate is called 'Dew Point'Of course, breath will almost always be a source of hotter and humid air, so the 'Dew Point' from an exhalation will almost always produce condensation on the room temperature objects.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2017, 11:31:50 pm
content: Quote from: smbaker on December 11, 2017, 01:42:05 amWell, you have to clean the objective lens from time to time, the solder smoke leaves a film there. But, for INSIDE the scope, that is pretty strange. You might leave the eyepiece out overnight or a weekend, maybe with something porous over the hole so the moisture can escape but dust won't fall in.I wonder if the Chinese left a dessicant pack inside, and it is degrading and releasing moisture.Jon