Maintenance and cleaning
General check
The following general check process ensures that the camera can detect the intended gas compounds with the same sensitivity as when originally manufactured.
Make sure that:
The camera powers on.
The camera produces a live thermal image.
The camera does not report any error messages on startup.
The camera focuses properly.
The camera is able to activate the High Sensitivity Mode (HSM).
Clean the camera
Camera housing, cables, and other items
Use one of these liquids:
Warm water
A weak detergent solution
Equipment:
A soft cloth
Follow this procedure:
Soak the cloth in the liquid.
Twist the cloth to remove excess liquid.
Clean the part with the cloth.
Do not apply solvents or similar liquids to the camera, the cables, or other items. This can cause damage.
Infrared lens
Use one of these liquids:
A commercial lens cleaning liquid with more than 30% isopropyl alcohol.
96% ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH).
Equipment:
Cotton wool
If you use a lens cleaning cloth it must be dry. Do not use a lens cleaning cloth with the liquids that are listed above. These liquids can cause material on the lens cleaning cloth to become loose. This material can have an unwanted effect on the surface of the lens.
Follow this procedure:
Soak the cotton wool in the liquid.
Twist the cotton wool to remove excess liquid.
Clean the lens one time only and discard the cotton wool.
Make sure that you read all applicable MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) and warning labels on containers before you use a liquid: the liquids can be dangerous.
Be careful when you clean the infrared lens. The lens has a delicate anti-reflective coating.
Do not clean the infrared lens too vigorously. This can damage the anti-reflective coating.
Infrared detector
Even small amounts of dust on the infrared detector can result in major blemishes in the image. To remove any dust from the detector, follow the procedure below.
This section only applies to cameras where removing the lens exposes the infrared detector.
In some cases the dust cannot be removed by following this procedure: the infrared detector must be cleaned mechanically. This mechanical cleaning must be carried out by an authorized service partner.
In Step 2 below, do not use pressurized air from pneumatic air circuits in a workshop, etc., as this air usually contains oil mist to lubricate pneumatic tools.
Follow this procedure:
Remove the lens from the camera.
Use pressurized air from a compressed air canister to blow off the dust.
Cooler maintenance
General
The microcooler is designed to provide maintenance-free operation for many thousands of hours. The microcooler contains pressurized helium gas.
After several thousand hours of operation the gas pressure decreases, and cooler service is required to restore cooler performance. The cooler also contains micro ball bearings, which may exhibit wear by becoming louder.
Signs to watch for
The FLIR Systems microcooler is equipped with a closed-loop speed regulator, which adjusts the cooler motor speed to regulate the detector temperature.
Typically, the cooler runs at maximum speed for 7–10 minutes (depending on model), and then slows to about 40% of maximum speed. As the gas pressure degrades, the motor continues at maximum speed for longer and longer periods to attain operating temperature
Eventually, as the helium pressure decreases, the motor will lose the ability to achieve and/or maintain operating temperature. When this occurs, the camera must be returned to FLIR Systems Customer Service Department for service.
Camera calibration
Gas detection: No re-calibration recommendation. The ability to detect gases is not influenced by the calibration and will not degrade over time.
Temperature measurement: For applications where infrared cameras are used to measure temperature, such as in predictive maintenance of electrical or mechanical assets, we recommend a yearly calibration. With a calibration certificate containing measurement data, you will be able to track the performance of your camera and decide the most appropriate time to send it in for adjustment.
Delta T measurement for gas detection: The camera uses relative Delta T measurements to ensure the conditions are acceptable for proper gas detection, so absolute measurement accuracy is not as important as it is for temperature measurement applications. We recommend that you send in the camera for calibration adjustment if its readings are outside of established accuracy specifications.
Gas Leak Quantification: The quantification method uses the radiometrically calibrated data from the camera to create a relative Delta T reading, so the accuracy of the quantification results depends on the measurement accuracy of the camera. We recommend the camera to be calibrated yearly and/or a temperature measurement verification is carried out using a traceable temperature source such as blackbody or known temperature surface. We recommend that you send in the camera for calibration adjustment if its readings are outside of established accuracy specifications.