ICEINSPACE
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waxing Gibbous 74.4%
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28-07-2020, 04:02 PM
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Gravity does not Suck
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,908
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Heating your mount.
I was thinking today having been out with temps at zero would your mount benefit from being warm..it would seem to me it would operate better if at 20 degrees C rather than near zero...wouldn't lubrication be better and less binding with gears?
Bit bored waiting for 1000 subs to stack in DSS...
Alex
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28-07-2020, 04:08 PM
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ze frogginator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,062
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
I was thinking today having been out with temps at zero would your mount benefit from being warm..it would seem to me it would operate better if at 20 degrees C rather than near zero...wouldn't lubrication be better and less binding with gears?
Bit bored waiting for 1000 subs to stack in DSS...
Alex
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I've been covering my mount for a while now while imaging and the short answer is yes. There are definite benefits doing that. Not that much the grease because they're designed for wider range of temperature your mount will be subjected to but in terms of meshing, binding and especially dew and water contamination with bearings and other bits, electronics, etc... it makes a big difference.
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28-07-2020, 04:15 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,495
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
I was thinking today having been out with temps at zero would your mount benefit from being warm..it would seem to me it would operate better if at 20 degrees C rather than near zero...wouldn't lubrication be better and less binding with gears?
Bit bored waiting for 1000 subs to stack in DSS...
Alex
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Different lubrications are rated for different operating temperatures because of changes in viscosity, as you suggest. So as long as you haven't done a rebuild with the wrong grease, you should be fine. A lot of people use Superlube or Molybdenum paste,
Cheers
Markus
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28-07-2020, 04:39 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,904
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I've been using a 12V "Doggie Blanket" on and of for years.
Just throw it over the mount (in your case) or in an an observatory over the scope and mount to reduce dewing at the end of the session etc.
(can't see the 12V version...but looks similar)
https://www.ebay.com.au/p/2165053985
(this is like mine: https://www.amazon.com.au/Roadpro-12.../dp/B0009Y2CFS)
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28-07-2020, 06:05 PM
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Gravity does not Suck
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,908
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Thank gentlemen.
I had no idea they had pet blankets and 12 volt..I need two..one for the scope and one for me...
Alex
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28-07-2020, 11:21 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wollongong
Posts: 1,909
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Condensation. Good reason not to leave your mount out in the cold night air for days. It builds up over time inside the mount and drips from any cover into the electronics , corroding the ports.
Also heat under a dark cover during the day is intense enough to broil the parts.
A cover should be sealed from the night air or heated , insulated and shaded in the day or white , vented to let hot air out but keep humid air out also. So easier to bring the mount in really or install heated fan vented covers.
Looks like I need a doggy blanket then. Or a fan heater out there. Ha.
Last edited by Sunfish; 29-07-2020 at 12:01 AM.
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29-07-2020, 12:02 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,048
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Two things: when not in use, and without a scope mounted, I heat my mount. I made a simple reflective foil insulation shroud which slips over the mount. I use a 25W incadesent bulb under the shroud to generate a little heat (it is one of those orange filament decorative bulbs). The bulb is powered by a timer, which cycles it on and off in half hour cycles. The primary purpose is to create a heat chimney effect under the shroud, which has a small opening at the top. Warm air rises through the shroud and create a circulation, together this keeps the mount dry. Understand it is inside an observatory as well, with the roof closed.
On night's when I am using a scope, I just leave the scope mounted and throw an old blanket over the whole setup. Inside the observatory it does not get damp and i take it off the next morning.
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29-07-2020, 07:53 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wollongong
Posts: 1,909
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Sounds like a good arrangement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by glend
Two things: when not in use, and without a scope mounted, I heat my mount. I made a simple reflective foil insulation shroud which slips over the mount. I use a 25W incadesent bulb under the shroud to generate a little heat (it is one of those orange filament decorative bulbs). The bulb is powered by a timer, which cycles it on and off in half hour cycles. The primary purpose is to create a heat chimney effect under the shroud, which has a small opening at the top. Warm air rises through the shroud and create a circulation, together this keeps the mount dry. Understand it is inside an observatory as well, with the roof closed.
On night's when I am using a scope, I just leave the scope mounted and throw an old blanket over the whole setup. Inside the observatory it does not get damp and i take it off the next morning.
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29-07-2020, 08:55 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,048
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunfish
Sounds like a good arrangement.
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I will try to get a photo posted for those interested.
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29-07-2020, 08:59 AM
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Gravity does not Suck
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,908
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I am off to a he pet shop to see what's in stock.
Alex
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29-07-2020, 09:27 AM
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ze frogginator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,062
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
I am off to a he pet shop to see what's in stock.
Alex
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Get a hamster with a couple of rubber bands.
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29-07-2020, 09:32 AM
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Novichok test rabbit
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in the cosmos...
Posts: 10,388
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I wanted to heat one particular POS mount with a cutting torch...
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29-07-2020, 10:09 AM
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Galaxy hitchhiking guide
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Shire
Posts: 8,106
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I run a dehumidifier/heater, on a timer switch to kick in at 4.00am in my observatory every morning. It has made a massive difference to the longevity of everything in the dome. Well worth doing IMHO.
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29-07-2020, 05:11 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,738
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The stepper motors in my mount generate enough heat to keep things dry - I hope ...
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29-07-2020, 06:14 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 306
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I had a quick look on ebay and found 12v electric blankets for use in cars that seem to be big enough and use the ciggie socket connection.
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29-07-2020, 06:17 PM
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Gravity does not Suck
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,908
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No pet electric blankets in Lismore.
First I will set up the little blower which I can make forward progress..maybe a Peltier device on the mount with the hot side placed somewhere on the mount, some stuff from Bunnings that takes moisture out of the air and tonight I will look at dehumidifier to see if I can run one off grid...but it is becoming clear I need a genny that kicks in when the batteries get low as well as more solar panels and batteries..this all started because I thought $8000 was ok for a 16 inch...my daughter pointed out earlier that if I get that 60 met camera that I will need to get a decent computer..what started as $8000 has already seen the scope go up near two k, the price of the roll off, an eq8, 60 met camera, lag etc etc plus I probably should invest in Pixinsite...looks like I will have to sell at least three of my paintings.
Never did I see this future when I first held a small digital camera to the ep for some Moon shots.
When you work out how many images you get each year and the capital cost I would say each I age will cost about a grand...that's not so bad.
Alex
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30-07-2020, 06:45 PM
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Gravity does not Suck
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Tabulam
Posts: 16,908
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I slipped away today for a short period and purchased another little demister and a bucket of stuff to take moisture out of the air and have worked out a dehumidifier is viable ..at least if I can get away with a 200 watt unit...but things are looking up...
Alex
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31-07-2020, 03:13 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 321
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Let me second Peter's comment about de humidification. I wouldn't want to generate heat near my scope while it was operating, that can only introduce unstable air / poor seeing. However - down here in Victoria I run a heater below 10 degrees and also a dehumidifier every morning if required. Getting the optics and electronics dried out can only be a benefit.
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31-07-2020, 08:02 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Maribyrnong
Posts: 158
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
I was thinking today having been out with temps at zero would your mount benefit from being warm..it would seem to me it would operate better if at 20 degrees C rather than near zero...wouldn't lubrication be better and less binding with gears?
Bit bored waiting for 1000 subs to stack in DSS...
Alex
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Alex,
I feel that would just interfere with the imaging. from the heated air rising.
Unless it complains I would just let it suffer in silence.
Paul
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01-08-2020, 06:55 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 9,944
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Never done it and never will. Heating the mount will put a stream of warm air up and around your optics at some point. Not a preference. Most mounts are robust enough to take a lot of punishment. Both my mounts are doing well even at dew central. Just my opinion though.
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