🧰 Hardware

This page explains the hardware build of an AllSky camera: first the basic setup (to run reliably), then optional sensors to extend it.

Entscheidungen starten Build-Profile Teileliste

Prices are rough estimates. Many parts come in multiple variants — when in doubt, ask the community.

Quick overview

Basic setup: makes the camera produce images reliably.
Advanced setup: sensors for data, monitoring & quality.
At the end: full parts list with prices and search.

💡

Notice: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may receive a small commission. The price for you stays the same.

Entscheidungen Build-Profile Grundsystem Kamera & Optik Betrieb Sensorik Teileliste FAQ

🧭 Wichtige Entscheidungen vor dem Kauf

Bevor du Teile bestellst, solltest du die wichtigsten Bauentscheidungen festlegen.

Jede Karte führt dich zum passenden Abschnitt.

🍓

Raspberry Pi wählen

Pi 4 oder Pi 5 beeinflussen Leistung, Wärme, PoE und Erweiterungen.

Pi 4 für solide Basis
Pi 5 für mehr Reserven
PoE-/NVMe-Kompatibilität mitdenken

🔌

Stromversorgung festlegen

PoE oder klassisches Netzteil – das bestimmt Verkabelung und Aufbau.

PoE für saubere Installation
Netzteil für einfache Tests
Leistungsreserven beachten

💾

Speicherstrategie planen

microSD ist einfach, SSD/NVMe kann robuster und schneller sein.

microSD für schnellen Start
NVMe für Ausbauoptionen
Schreiblast beachten

📷

Kamera & Optik festlegen

Kamera und Objektiv bestimmen Bildwinkel, Lichtverhalten und Aufbau.

Bildwinkel definieren
Nachtsicht berücksichtigen
Mechanik mitdenken

🧪

Sensorik planen

Schon vor dem Gehäusebau festlegen, welche Sensoren verbaut werden.

I2C/GPIO berücksichtigen
Zusätzliche Kabelwege planen
Messziel definieren

🔥

Heizung & Lüfter mitdenken

Für Außenbetrieb sind Beschlag, Frost und Luftzirkulation wichtige Themen.

Beschlag vermeiden
Relais einplanen
Langzeitbetrieb absichern

🧱 Empfohlene Build-Profile

Nicht jede Kamera muss gleich aufgebaut sein. Diese Profile helfen beim Einstieg.

Die Profile sind als Orientierung gedacht.

💶 Budget & options

As of: 2026-06-10 • Prices may vary by vendor

Show sensors & extras (optional)

Optional sensor share: 29.70 € • Total without sensors: 379.50 €

Grand total

409.20 €

Tip: start small — you can add sensors later.

⚙️ Basic setup

Everything you need to run the camera reliably and generate typical AllSky outputs.

Goal: 24/7 camera operation with images & outputs.

Raspberry Pi 4+ (4 GB RAM) or Raspberry Pi 5 (~€70)

Recommended

65.00 €

You can use a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. I recommend at least 4GB RAM (more is better) because image processing, timelapse/keogram/startrails and uploads run in parallel.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build

MicroSD card 64–128 GB

Must-have

10.00 €

I use an SD card as system storage. Minimum 64GB — 128GB is better so logs, updates and buffers remain stable long-term.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build

PoE HAT (IMPORTANT: Raspberry Pi 5 requires a different PoE HAT!)

Recommended

25.00 €

For outdoor operation I recommend PoE: you need a PoE switch or injector/PSU with at least 30W. The PoE HAT must match your Raspberry Pi model/version.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Standard Build • Advanced Build

PoE injector 30W (power supply, indoor)

Optional

25.00 €

PoE HAT requirement: IEEE 802.3af/at PoE standard, 5V USB-A and 12V header outputs.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Standard Build • Advanced Build

Stranded wire up to 0.25 mm² (black & red)

Required

8.00 €

Leitungen für Strom- und Sensorverkabelung.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Waterproof RJ45 Ethernet connector

Recommended

10.00 €

Wettergeschützte Netzwerkverbindung.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Standard Build • Advanced Build

Next step

Once the base hardware is set, the next step is the housing (weatherproofing, dome, heater, ventilation).

📷 Kamera, Optik & Außenhaut

Hier legst du fest, wie die Kamera nach außen schaut und mechanisch eingebettet wird.

Bildqualität beginnt bei Kamera und Optik.

Raspberry Pi HQ Camera (M12 or C-mount) (IMPORTANT: ribbon cables differ between RPi 4 and RPi 5!)

Must-have

60.00 €

For the camera you can use the Raspberry Pi HQ camera (classic) — alternatively ZWO ASI cameras work as well. For the lens I use a fisheye to capture as much sky as possible.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

185° lens F1.85 – F2.7

Must-have

20.00 €

Tip: a good fisheye lens is the biggest lever for field of view and image quality.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Acrylic dome 100 mm

Required

16.00 €

The acrylic dome protects camera and optics. A matching sealing ring (O-ring) ensures a clean and weatherproof closure at the housing.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

O-rings Ø120 / 2.4 mm

Required

5.00 €

Tip: clean the dome regularly — dirt and micro-scratches directly affect image quality.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

M3 socket head screw set

Required

6.00 €

Montagematerial für Gehäuse und Einbauten.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

M3 button head screw set

Required

6.00 €

Schrauben für die Gehäusemontage.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Raspberry Pi hex spacer screw set

Recommended

10.00 €

Abstandshalter und Montageset für Raspberry Pi.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Next step

Once the base hardware is set, the next step is the housing (weatherproofing, dome, heater, ventilation).

🛠️ Betrieb, Schutz & Steuerung

Für den Außeneinsatz spielen Heizung, Lüfter und Schaltlogik eine wichtige Rolle.

Langzeitstabilität früh einplanen.

1-channel 5V relay for heater control

Recommended

3.00 €

Lets you control the 12V heater and/or additional fans automatically. This makes the system more robust in changing conditions.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Heating ring 2.8 W (dewcontrol.com) or 3 cement resistors 5 W 15 Ω (cheaper alternative)

Recommended

25.00 €

Hilft gegen Beschlag und Probleme bei Kälte oder hoher Feuchte.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Standard Build • Advanced Build

Noctua 5V fan

Optional

16.00 €

Verbessert Temperaturmanagement und kann Feuchteprobleme reduzieren.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Advanced Build

GPIO HAT

Optional

15.00 €

Hilft bei sauberer Erweiterung der GPIO-Nutzung.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Adhesive “Kraftprotz” (liquid & gel)

Optional

13.00 €

Je nach Aufbau als Zusatz sinnvoll.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Standard Build • Advanced Build

Next step

Once the base hardware is set, the next step is the housing (weatherproofing, dome, heater, ventilation).

🧪 Extensions: Sensors & Extras

With sensors you can make the camera more “scientific”: weather data, sky brightness and cloud indicators can be linked to your images and stored centrally.

All optional — you can upgrade later anytime.

BME280 temperature / humidity / pressure sensor

Recommended

5.00 €

Measures temperature, air pressure and (depending on the module) humidity. Helpful for diagnostics and explaining dew/image effects caused by weather.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

DS18B20 temperature sensor

Optional

3.00 €

A simple and robust temperature probe (e.g. for the housing interior or near the dome). Useful for debugging and control loops.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

4.7 kΩ resistors

Optional

0.10 €

Widerstand für Sensorschaltungen.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

TSL2591 light sensor

Recommended

5.00 €

Captures sky brightness (light pollution, moonlight, clouds). Great for comparing nights and setting processing thresholds.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

Collecting lens 20°

Optional

0.10 €

Optionales Zubehör für TSL2591-Aufbau.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build

MLX90614 IR Temperature Sensor

Optional

16.50 €

Measures IR temperatures (sky vs ambient). This can be used to derive cloudiness/clearness indicators.

Empfohlene Build-Profile: Sensor Build • Advanced Build

When do sensors really pay off?

If you want comparability: same camera design, different sites/nights. Sensor data helps classify image quality, clouds and sky brightness more objectively.

📦 Parts explorer

Below is the full parts list as a reference. Search filters across all categories; you can toggle sensors on/off.

Base configuration 4 items

Subtotal: 155.00 €

Base kit

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
Raspberry Pi 4+ (4 GB RAM) or Raspberry Pi 5 (~€70) You can use a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. I recommend at least 4GB RAM (more is better) because image processing, timelapse/keogram/startrails and uploads run in parallel.	Recommended	Starter Build • Standard Build	65.00 €
MicroSD card 64–128 GB I use an SD card as system storage. Minimum 64GB — 128GB is better so logs, updates and buffers remain stable long-term.	Must-have	Starter Build • Standard Build	10.00 €
Raspberry Pi HQ Camera (M12 or C-mount) (IMPORTANT: ribbon cables differ between RPi 4 and RPi 5!) For the camera you can use the Raspberry Pi HQ camera (classic) — alternatively ZWO ASI cameras work as well. For the lens I use a fisheye to capture as much sky as possible.	Must-have	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	60.00 €
185° lens F1.85 – F2.7 Tip: a good fisheye lens is the biggest lever for field of view and image quality.	Must-have	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	20.00 €

Sensor configuration 6 items

Subtotal: 29.70 €

Sensors & extras (optional)

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
BME280 temperature / humidity / pressure sensor Measures temperature, air pressure and (depending on the module) humidity. Helpful for diagnostics and explaining dew/image effects caused by weather.	Recommended	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	5.00 €
DS18B20 temperature sensor A simple and robust temperature probe (e.g. for the housing interior or near the dome). Useful for debugging and control loops.	Optional	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	3.00 €
4.7 kΩ resistors Widerstand für Sensorschaltungen.	Optional	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	0.10 €
TSL2591 light sensor Captures sky brightness (light pollution, moonlight, clouds). Great for comparing nights and setting processing thresholds.	Recommended	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	5.00 €
Collecting lens 20° Optionales Zubehör für TSL2591-Aufbau.	Optional	Sensor Build	0.10 €
MLX90614 IR Temperature Sensor Measures IR temperatures (sky vs ambient). This can be used to derive cloudiness/clearness indicators.	Optional	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	16.50 €

Cables & electrical 10 items

Subtotal: 93.50 €

Base kit

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
PoE HAT (IMPORTANT: Raspberry Pi 5 requires a different PoE HAT!) For outdoor operation I recommend PoE: you need a PoE switch or injector/PSU with at least 30W. The PoE HAT must match your Raspberry Pi model/version.	Recommended	Standard Build • Advanced Build	25.00 €
PoE injector 30W (power supply, indoor) PoE HAT requirement: IEEE 802.3af/at PoE standard, 5V USB-A and 12V header outputs.	Optional	Standard Build • Advanced Build	25.00 €
1-channel 5V relay for heater control Lets you control the 12V heater and/or additional fans automatically. This makes the system more robust in changing conditions.	Recommended	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	3.00 €

Cables & electrics

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
Dupont jumper wire set Für GPIO- und Sensorverkabelung.	Required	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	7.00 €
Stranded wire up to 0.25 mm² (black & red) Leitungen für Strom- und Sensorverkabelung.	Required	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	8.00 €
Cable terminals (2 pieces) Kleine Helfer für saubere Verkabelung.	Optional	Advanced Build	0.50 €
Long Ethernet cable (injector ↔ camera) Abhängig von Installationsort und Distanz.	Required	Standard Build • Advanced Build	—
Long Ethernet cable (wall outlet ↔ injector) Kabellänge standortabhängig.	Required	Standard Build • Advanced Build	—
Waterproof RJ45 Ethernet connector Wettergeschützte Netzwerkverbindung.	Recommended	Standard Build • Advanced Build	10.00 €
GPIO HAT Hilft bei sauberer Erweiterung der GPIO-Nutzung.	Optional	Sensor Build • Advanced Build	15.00 €

Mounting & accessories 10 items

Subtotal: 131.00 €

Base kit

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
Noctua 5V fan Verbessert Temperaturmanagement und kann Feuchteprobleme reduzieren.	Optional	Advanced Build	16.00 €
Acrylic dome 100 mm The acrylic dome protects camera and optics. A matching sealing ring (O-ring) ensures a clean and weatherproof closure at the housing.	Required	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	16.00 €
O-rings Ø120 / 2.4 mm Tip: clean the dome regularly — dirt and micro-scratches directly affect image quality.	Required	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	5.00 €
Heating ring 2.8 W (dewcontrol.com) or 3 cement resistors 5 W 15 Ω (cheaper alternative) Hilft gegen Beschlag und Probleme bei Kälte oder hoher Feuchte.	Recommended	Standard Build • Advanced Build	25.00 €

3D printing (filament)

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
ASA filament white, 1 kg spool ASA für UV- und Außeneinsatz.	Recommended	Standard Build • Advanced Build	17.00 €
ASA filament black, 1 kg spool PETG als robuste Standardwahl für viele Teile.	Recommended	Starter Build • Standard Build • Advanced Build	17.00 €

Assembly & accessories

Part	Rolle	Profile	Price
M3 socket head screw set Montagematerial für Gehäuse und Einbauten.	Required	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	6.00 €
M3 button head screw set Schrauben für die Gehäusemontage.	Required	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	6.00 €
Adhesive “Kraftprotz” (liquid & gel) Je nach Aufbau als Zusatz sinnvoll.	Optional	Standard Build • Advanced Build	13.00 €
Raspberry Pi hex spacer screw set Abstandshalter und Montageset für Raspberry Pi.	Recommended	Starter Build • Standard Build • Sensor Build • Advanced Build	10.00 €

🧪

Recommendation: test as a prototype first

Before putting everything into the housing, build a prototype without the case. This lets you test components, plan wiring, and avoid rework later.

Why without the case first?

You can calmly test sensors, camera and the Raspberry Pi.
You will quickly see whether power/PoE is stable and temperatures are fine.
Cable routing inside the housing becomes much clearer.

Suggested workflow

Assemble the base configuration on an open surface (desk/board).
Test camera output and (optionally) sensor readings before mounting anything.
Only once everything is stable, move into the housing with final wiring.

Wiring diagram & prototyping

The wiring diagram shows the basic setup for prototyping, heater, fan and sensors. With this setup you can fully test the hardware before installing it into the housing.

Go to installation Go to sensors

Click to enlarge

Tip: Take photos of your prototype and note cable lengths/connectors — it saves a lot of time during final assembly.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Practical answers – with images and links.

Use a PoE injector with at least 30W. Make sure your PoE HAT supports IEEE 802.3af/at and provides the required outputs (5V output and 12V heater).

More about the hardware

The GPIO HAT is used to simplify the installation of sensors, relays and fans. This screw terminal HAT allows cables to be fixed securely and routed in a clean and organized way.

The 20-degree collecting lens is used with the TSL2591 light sensor and is glued into the corresponding housing. It protects the sensor from rain and snow while collecting light from a 20-degree field of view, which helps to reduce stray light.

More about the sensors