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Cleaning Instructions#

This topic provides instructions on how to clean your Basler camera.

Before attempting to clean the camera, consider carefully whether cleaning will actually improve your camera's performance. Cleaning always carries the risk of introducing more dirt or even damaging the camera.

Cleaning the Housing or the Camera Front#

To clean a camera with a housing or a camera front:

  1. Disconnect the camera from camera power (and I/O power, if applicable).
  2. Make sure that the lens mount is covered by a lens or a protective cap.
  3. Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic charging during cleaning.
  4. Dampen the cloth using a mild detergent.
  5. Using the dampened cloth, wipe, as applicable, the camera's sides and front.
  6. Let any residual moisture evaporate.
    Never apply compressed air to speed up evaporation.
  7. After the moisture has evaporated completely, you may reconnect the camera to power.

Cleaning the IR Cut Filter#

ace 2, MED ace, and boost V Cameras#

Info

The following procedure applies to the following cameras:

To clean the IR cut filter:

  1. Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
  2. Hold or mount the camera in horizontal position.
    Make sure the lens mount is not pointing up.
  3. Blow canned, oil-free air at a 10–20 degree angle at the edges of the IR cut filter as shown below.
    Important: Do not blow air in the holes of the filter holder, and do not touch the filter with the tube.
  4. Reconnect the camera to power.

Cleaning the IR Cut Filter of an ace 2 or MED ace Camera

dart and pulse Cameras#

To clean the IR cut filter:

  1. Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
  2. Blow canned, oil-free air at a 90 degree angle at the center of the IR cut filter as shown below.
  3. Reconnect the camera to power.

Cleaning the IR Cut Filter of dart and pulse Cameras

ace Cameras#

NOTICE – Applying compressed air may damage the camera.
  • Before applying compressed air to the IR cut filter or the filter holder, remove the IR cut filter or the filter holder from the camera.
  • Never apply compressed air to the camera.

To clean the IR cut filter:

  1. Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
  2. Check whether the IR cut filter can be removed from your camera model. The ace IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note tells you from which camera models the IR cut filter can be removed safely and how to do this. Observe the safety instructions in the application note.
  3. If the IR cut filter can be removed:
    1. Remove the IR cut filter as described in the ace IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note.
    2. Blow canned, oil-free, compressed air at the removed IR cut filter.
      Be careful not to apply too much air pressure.
    3. If any dust remains, clean the filter using isopropyl alcohol as described in step 4.
    4. Reinstall the IR cut filter.
  4. If the IR cut filter can't be removed:
    1. Get isopropyl alcohol of at least analytical grade (pro analysi, p.a.) purity.
    2. Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic charging during cleaning.
    3. Moisten the cloth with the alcohol. Make sure to only use a small quantity so that there is no alcohol dripping from the cloth.
      Ideally, wrap the cloth around a plastic tool (e.g., a spatula) that has the same width as the IR cut filter. This makes cleaning easier and safer.
    4. Wipe once or twice in a straight line across the entire IR cut filter.
    5. Let any residual moisture evaporate.
  5. Reconnect the camera to power.

Cleaning the Sensor#

Info

  • If possible, avoid cleaning the camera's sensor.
  • Before you start, check whether the sensor is accessible. The sensor is accessible on the following camera models:
    • Basler ace, dart, and pulse mono cameras
    • Basler ace color cameras with removable IR cut filter
      Check the ace IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note to find out whether the IR cut filter can be removed from your camera model.
    • Basler boost mono and color cameras
    • Basler dart and pulse bare board and S-mount color cameras

To clean the sensor if it is accessible:

  1. Disconnect the camera from power (and I/O power, if applicable).
  2. If necessary, remove the IR cut filter as described in the ace IR Cut Filter Holder Removal Procedure application note. Observe the safety instructions in the application note.
  3. Get isopropyl alcohol of at least analytical grade (pro analysi, p.a.) purity.
  4. Get a soft, lint-free cloth that does not cause electrostatic charging during cleaning.
  5. Moisten the cloth with the alcohol. Make sure to only use a small quantity so that there is no alcohol dripping from the cloth.
    Ideally, wrap the cloth around a plastic tool (e.g., a spatula) that has the same width as the sensor. This makes cleaning easier and safer.
  6. Wipe once or twice in a straight line across the entire sensor.
  7. Let any residual moisture evaporate.
  8. If necessary, reinstall the IR cut filter.
  9. Reconnect the camera to power.