2014-06-23, 21:13
(2014-06-23, 16:09)alexandicity Wrote: I am leaving to live in Antarctica soon.
Pragmatically, I would also like to know if anyone has any experience operating these at low temperatures (down to -50 regularly)? Insulation might help, but only if the preamp power consumption isn't too low!
I built a laser interferometer for a client a 6 or 7 years ago that needed to operate at similar temperatures.
It was impractical to get all the parts with such extended temperature ranges so I ended up putting the equipment in a diecast metal inner box. Using some simple electronics and power resistors bolted to the metal box, it could maintain a temperature of around 0 deg C even in very hostile weather. The inner metal box was then mounted inside a well insulated outer case. It did not take very much power to keep it warm enough to be happy. I think it was under 10 watts in the end.
Just a thought.