Tcam mini shutter problem with Lepton FS

[Alex Prete]

Hello,

I was having an issue where every once a while the thermal scene would become impressed into the viewing area affecting temperature readings and making the image quite messy.

I'm also realising the shutter is not closing anymore, which makes me think the camera is taking it's blank (regulating?) image with it's shutter open.

As I'm still trying to figure out if it's the driving circuit for the shutter on the pcb or the lepton itself, are there any resources/schematic of 

I'm attaching an example screenshot of a 'blank' scene resting the camera face down on my desk with the overimposed image, and a thermal 'selfie' showing what looks like a 5 pin IC becoming hot on the Tcam mini pcb (it's definitely above 40C from the touch, I wouldn't take the camera measurement as reliable)

Cheers

[Dan Julio]

Hello, I'm the designer of tCamMini.  The impressed image is because the shutter isn't closing during a Flat Field Correction (FFC) performed by the Lepton.  The Lepton controls this and after the module has reached steady-state it usually happens about every 3 minutes.  However you can initiate a manual FFC using the Desktop App.  You should see the shutter close.  The front face of the Lepton is pretty fragile and it's very easy to damage it enough so that the Lepton can't close the shutter.  Take a very careful look at your Lepton and check if you see any damage.

It appears that tCamMini is operating since you can get an image (which pretty much verifies all the different parts).  The 1.2V regulator does get a little warm.  It might feel warm or quite warm to the touch but shouldn't feel hot enough you want to pull your finger away.  You can also download the schematic from my repository and use a DMM to check all the different voltages (3.3V, 3.0V, 2.8V, 1.2V).

Finally, make sure the Lepton is securely in the socket.  The socket exerts some positive force on the Lepton that tends to dislodge it (although usually its the I2C comms that fail first in my experience).  Flir designed it to actually be captured by a bezel to hold it in place.

Hope this  helps.

[Alex Prete]

Hi Dan, thanks for the helpful response. I'll find the schematic and check the voltages. I once had to reseat the Lepton as it came out of the socket, hopefully I didn't damage it then. Already tried cleaning the contacts but that didn't help.

Will come back with an update. 

Thanks!

[Alex Prete]

Somehow I've managed to fix it.

I'm not sure what the issue was but I've dislodged the shutter front, operated the shutter manually a few times using the little pin at the front, then checked continuity on the solenoid with the multimeter and put everything back in. 

It's such a joy to see it's little eye closing!

Thanks for the help anyway, I wasn't aware you could send an FFC command from the desktop app which is useful.

Alex

On Tuesday, 10 March 2026 at 02:51:52 UTC danj...@gmail.com wrote: