Should I add a "Frost Cam"?
 

If I had a night vision camera behind my main Sanyo, I could see the ice forming!
I could also watch the defrost cycles to make sure enough ice was melted.

I was looking at Ebay back-up cameras for cars, but I realized that my old
junky IRNV scope might be usable for this project..
Weaver NightView Digital Night Vision Scope - 849397 . Weaver Night Vision.
Since I have an underwater case for a 35mm camera, that might be used to weather proof the NV viewer!

It looks like all the parts will just fit inside.. So, I'm going to start Hacking!

http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1393094092

Frost Viewing Cam Rev 1.0

Just need to hack the electronics, so the camera and IR LEDs come on,
when the 9V power supply is turned on.. That might be the deal killer..


Edit: 19:47 2/22/14
It looks like the IR LEDs come on every time power is applied.
I've removed a rear viewfinder port, to accommodate video and power cables.
The video cable is real 20' foot video cable. From the junk box.

Tired to make the install as water resistant as possible.
I've tested the camera with a 9V WallWart (really puts out 10V) and it works!
Full power on the LEDs and a fairly nice B&W picture, in both day and nite modes.
The resolution seems pretty nice too. Should do the job easily.
I've ordered a modern 9V 2A regulated WallWart off Ebay. Be here in a week or so.

I've noticed the focus is different in IR nite mode. I'm going to set the lens
up for night, and let it be a bit out of focus during the day time.
Since the majority of defrost cycles occur at night.

~~~
I'll only turn on the cam power when I want to look at the Sanyo coil.
The 9V power supply will be plugged into my X10 RC5000..
http://cache2.smarthome.com/images/4000_nbig.jpg
It's the RF receiver that I use to pick up RF X10 control signals from the remote control
and the FireCracker RF transmitter connected to the CAI board.
~~~
I'll be running the video cable up to the small HDTV in the living room. It has a composite input.
The cable is long enough to reach the security-cam DVR (the DVR is connected to the VGA on the TV).
So, I can record videos of frost & defrost cycles.. Post them on YouTube! :rolleyes: LOL!

"Frost Cam" Installed (Large Pics Post)!
 

Yeah, I got the "Frost Cam" installed this morning.. (Storms acomming).


The Cam is looking at a relatively small area, near the middle of the coil.
I can see some plant matter stuck on there, so I should be able to see the frost easily..

I'm hoping the night view will be just as good. Maybe the guard grill won't be too reflective of the ID LEDs..

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psededc7e0.jpg


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps9c1159b4.jpg


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psa0e6e287.jpg

I'll edit on a night view pic later..

Does your unit have a way to keep it in defrost ? Or how would you make the ice melt ? Mine goes into defrost when the whole outside freezes up completely But only like 1 minute Only time i see the side leds all go to 5 and the unit ramps up a lot.

If it's blowing snow, real cold and I see the power is way up, for the amount of warm air, I do a manual defrost.

I just put the unit in dehumidify mode for a while. Then when the frost is gone, switch back to heat mode..

This camera will make it a lot easier to do manual defrost. I'll be able to watch the melting.

I also would like to watch a normal defrost cycle, to see how effectively it clears icing..
Even watching it on the DVR might be enlightening.. Or maybe boring.. :p

Yeah . I had to turn the heat back on . Was running the heat the day before nice 75 degrees. Then high of 45. Short sleve to a dang jacket. I hate seeing that red light come on .

About last night
 

The last two nights have been too cold.. We burned up some black gold.. :(
Heating Oil Price Survey for February 25, 2014

Price has doubled in the last ten years..
Tonight is going to be another Backup night!! Snow on the weekend.?.

Turned on the Sanyos at 7:30 this morning, when it got up to 9.5F..
Backup off and south window shades open!! :)
I'm sitting here right now, no shirt, getting some very warm sun! Love the feel of it!

Last night at 1AM, I set up the backup, hit the 'Go Off in one Hour' buttons on the Sanyos, and went to bed..
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/attach...1&d=1393604625

During the night, I got up and saw the temp was 5.4F in the backyard..
That made me run back to my warm bed! :p

BRRRR! It got down to 11 here. The news is saying it has been the coldest winter here so far since the 50's. And it ain't over yet.

11 degrees is Coooold. Its coldest its been down here in a very long time . I hate winter.:D

We're going be on back-up heat for at least 10 hours tonight.. (Below 10F)..
The forecast shows Monday night is also going to call for backup heat!

How do I hate winter? Let me count the ways... Be back in a few days.. ;)

It was 10 - 11 F last night . With wind chill , below 0 F on the drive to work this AM .

But the day time highs were in the 70's to low 80's a few days ago .

It roller coasters with each cold front .

Such is life . It is winter , after all .

God bless
Wyr