I have the old Kendrick’s iv and Dew buster model, had them for years now, both work a charm ,the Dew Buster is nice with the sensor attachments. Think you can’t go wrong with the models your have listed all depends on your budget . Although I have the Kendrick’s basic dew controller I have brought some other gear direct from them (power packs,micro d controller for dslr imaging), they where quick to answer and ship and the gear has been reliable, I’d imagine the fancy digifire controllers would be good.
I have the old Kendrick’s iv and Dew buster model, had them for years now, both work a charm ,the Dew Buster is nice with the sensor attachments. Think you can’t go wrong with the models your have listed all depends on your budget . Although I have the Kendrick’s basic dew controller I have brought some other gear direct from them (power packs,micro d controller for dslr imaging), they where quick to answer and ship and the gear has been reliable, I’d imagine the fancy digifire controllers would be good.
Thanks Beren,
The digifire does look good - bit pricey tho
You can easily build your own multi-channel dew controller, all the parts are available online or at Jaycar. The heart of it is a simple 12V PWM controller for each channel, which you can buy for about $6 on ebay. A plastic box, a few RCA sockets, some wire and there you go.
We used to have guy here on IIS that made them for other members (Arthur). You can probably find simple plans online.
I had a four channel controller that Arthur made me, cost about $35 from memory.
You can easily build your own multi-channel dew controller, all the parts are available online or at Jaycar. The heart of it is a simple 12V PWM controller for each channel, which you can buy for about $6 on ebay. A plastic box, a few RCA sockets, some wire and there you go.
We used to have guy here on IIS that made them for other members (Arthur). You can probably find simple plans online.
I had a four channel controller that Arthur made me, cost about $35 from memory.
Same. Great kit. Is Arthur no longer contributing?
You can easily build your own multi-channel dew controller, all the parts are available online or at Jaycar. The heart of it is a simple 12V PWM controller for each channel, which you can buy for about $6 on ebay. A plastic box, a few RCA sockets, some wire and there you go.
We used to have guy here on IIS that made them for other members (Arthur). You can probably find simple plans online.
I had a four channel controller that Arthur made me, cost about $35 from memory.
Thanks guys - not sure I have the technical skills to make one.
Wish I did - $35 for a controller would be brilliant
I have the old standard two channel Kendrick and I agree with Mark, the build quality is really not up to snuff for the price.
The control pots feel like old BBQ knobs they are so wobbly and on mine it was about a year old and virtually unused when one of them dropped off completely as the grub screw was over tightened and the plastic shaft split through. It feels more like a $50 item than a $180 one.
The Digifire units look closer to value for money to me.
I have the old standard two channel Kendrick and I agree with Mark, the build quality is really not up to snuff for the price.
The control pots feel like old BBQ knobs they are so wobbly and on mine it was about a year old and virtually unused when one of them dropped off completely as the grub screw was over tightened and the plastic shaft split through. It feels more like a $50 item than a $180 one.
The Digifire units look closer to value for money to me.
Actually the digi fire is worse I think I have the 7 channel and the all connectors just wobble around unsecured especially power connector
and every time I touch it I expect something to fall off and thats not even
mentioning the awkward way you set the temp . The Dew buster is built like a tank in comparison.
Something for me to look in to then. I have not had a digifire in my hands so it was mainly based on a bit more robust looking packaging than the old two channel and the feature set. I don't need anything more than I have for now but when I need to upgrade I will have to dig in to the replacement a bit more.
Thanks guys - not sure I have the technical skills to make one.
Wish I did - $35 for a controller would be brilliant
I saw these on Ebay and most of the work is done for you. Just add a power supply and a dew heater strap, that's it. I would use a 12v, 4-5 amp power supply. I built my first controller with one similar. You don't even have to solder, just use terminal blocks and a screwdriver. Some electrical tape...done!
I prefer the 'Dew NOT' heater straps as they work very well and are cheaper than the others.
Here is the item text from Ebay for a couple of them. There are much cheaper ones too on that site:
DC 10V-60V 12V 24V 48V PWM Motor Speed Controller Power Control Switch Regulator
DC 12V 24V Motor Speed Controller Switch PWM For Car Truck Fan Heater Control AU
Bugsy have you wrapped the OTA with insulation of some sort ? This make a huge difference, the point being that without insulation a heater may produce little benefit short of pouring insane amounts of power into it.
Adding a heater under the insulation is much more effective.
I saw these on Ebay and most of the work is done for you. Just add a power supply and a dew heater strap, that's it. I would use a 12v, 4-5 amp power supply. I built my first controller with one similar. You don't even have to solder, just use terminal blocks and a screwdriver. Some electrical tape...done!
I prefer the 'Dew NOT' heater straps as they work very well and are cheaper than the others.
Here is the item text from Ebay for a couple of them. There are much cheaper ones too on that site:
DC 10V-60V 12V 24V 48V PWM Motor Speed Controller Power Control Switch Regulator
DC 12V 24V Motor Speed Controller Switch PWM For Car Truck Fan Heater Control AU
Bugsy have you wrapped the OTA with insulation of some sort ? This make a huge difference, the point being that without insulation a heater may produce little benefit short of pouring insane amounts of power into it.
Adding a heater under the insulation is much more effective.
Yeah I have Wavytone,
Looking to purchase a controller that is robust that will grow with my ota when I upgrade
It gets pretty dewy down here 😀
I use an Orion Dew Zapper Pro 4 channel controller on my 12” Goto Dob and 6” AP rig
A bit pricey but does the job with very good individual control per channel
I didn’t like the Kendrick controllers but use their heater straps and secondary Centre stalk heater
I have no issues with dew for both visual and AP
Sydney site elevation 40m above sea level ( in a valley )
South coast site 25m above sea level ( sea mist , sea fog and dew etc )
Cheers
