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Step 1
The first step is to remove the Stealth camera board from the case.
Before you start make sure to remove the batteries and compact flash
card. Once removed you need to locate the camera lens in the middle
of the board shown in figure 1. This is a D-Mount Micro Lens which
is found of most "board cameras" made today. All we are
going to do is replace the color lens with a black and white lens
which will be able to see IR.
Figure 1
Step 2
In this project I removed both the D-Mount lens and D-Mount base
lens holder, but in most cases you will only need to remove the
lens. The lens simply unscrews from the D-mount base. I purchased
this lens from Spytown.com, http://www.spytown.com/dmileforboca.html
for $30, but you can purchase a black & white board camera for
less money and just remove the lens from it and use it here. After
you install the new lens you have to focus it. This is done my
turning the system on, taking a photo, looking at it, then making
the proper focus adjustments by screwing it in or unscrewing it to
change the focus. Just repeat this process until your photos look
like they are in focus. This is the most time consuming part of this
process.
Figure 2
Another source for a
good replacement lens is
http://www.supercircuits.com, they carry a small B&W camera
board for only $11.95. All you need to do is remove the D-Mount with
the lens by taking out the two screws that hold the lens to the
board. Just replace this with the Stealth Cam's lens D-Mount
assembly.
Supercircuits
Part Number: PC300XP
http://www.supercircuits.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4232&HS=1
Note: You need to replace the Stealth Cam's color lens with a
B&W lens!
Step 3
Next you must place a piece or IR filter in front of the camera
flash. This will produce your IR light source and will not be visible
to animals or humans. You can purchase an IR filter from
PixController, Inc. here: IR
Filter Material Part Number: LEN006 for only $1.00. Cut the
filter to the size of the flash and glue it down with a glue like
Marine GOOP. Just tack it down around the edges.
Figure 3
Step 4
Before you close the system you will need to mask off the flash from
the rest of the system. If you do not do this you will get white
light from the flash leaking out of the edges around the LCD display
and LED's. Just use some electrical tape and apply it around the
edges show in figure 4.
Figure 4
Step 5
Once you are finish masking off the flash just put the case back
together and your IR conversion project is finished!
Completed IR modification. Ready for
use!
Example
IR field photos
Click on any photo to
enlarge
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