Outdoor cover for mobile Mount/Scope

[torsion]

Hi,

I have a C9.25HD on an ieq45 as a 'mobile' set up (mainly in the backyard). That is, if I want to observe I will have to take it out and set it up (like lots of others). This in not a problem (even when starting at ~9.00pm when the kids are in bed/asleep) and will take me about 45min to set up (getting faster).

After a nice evening/night, I always feel bad/sad to pack it all up as tomorrow night it could be a clear night again.

Lately I have been covering my mount (removed the scope) with a plastic mattress bag to keep it set up/aligned in the backyard for the next night. The mount is covered but the legs are not (as well as the few hole I noticed the other day).

Unless my wife warns that it is going to rain I am (almost) happy for it to stay out, and then just prior the rain I quickly bring it back inside.

So two questions, 1) does anyone have a better/saver idea for a 'bag' to cover/protect the mount/scope from the weather? and 2) with the legs not being covered how worried should I be wrt to rust on the feet of the tripod?

thank for reading.
cheers,
Bram

[Yogie-One]

If it is worth it to keep your setup outside, maybe a small observatory or a "Roll-On-Roll-Off Roof" shed would be a good way to cut down on setup time and any damage by rain, dew, wind or any other of the many weather based damages that can affect a scope.

Not only the unprotected steel (rust) but also the many parts from dust, and solidification of greases. To keep in mind as well as the warping that can set in, when you have dry wood on one side, of lets say the legs of the tripod, and wet wood on the other, or underside of the same piece of wood.

I saw an article recently where an astronomer had a "Doctor Who" Phone Box "Tardis" in his back yard, where he left his whole telescope almost permanently set up. He only had to open the door, and roll the Tardis away into the corner of the yard to use his scope. I apologise to the author as I have forgotten his name and his article, but I did keep his pictures as I thought that his was a good idea. (I have found a lot of different links to the same project, but here is two good ones as follows http://www.duncankitchin.org/?blog=show&articleid=13 which has a simple build guide, and I think the original, and http://www.anglotopia.net/anglophilia/doctor-who-tardis-shaped-observatory-for-seeing-the-universe/ )

It is a setup that I wish that I could have, but My back fence is shared with a Doctors Surgery and Chemist complex, and they have yellow flood lamps blaring all night. This I didn't find out until I had bought the property and moved in.

It wouldn't stop the spiders seeking shelter there, though. ;)

Y/O (Yogie-One)

[Dennis]

Have a look at the range of Telegizmos Telescope Covers (http://store.smartastronomy.com/tesoscco.html); some are designed for covering your equipment 24/7 although on those very humid nights you will still probably get condensation on the inside.

Cheers

Dennis

[torsion]

Thank you, Yogie-One and Dennis. I may even get away with the Tardis Obs (have some fans in the house), will see to slip it past ...

The telegizmos look promising (when the Tardis plans have been put on hold). Would the standard cover (not the 365) be sufficient for a couple of nights with a drizzle of rain? I wouldn't leave the whole unit in a heavy down poor anyway.

Bram

[Dennis]

Hi Bram

I had the standard tripod cover and it lasted approx. 5 or 6 years before it began to delaminate and look a little scruffy around the bottom of the skirt. I replaced it with their 365 Series tripod cover which is much thicker, robust and also stiffer and it has performed excellently for the past 2 or 3 years that I’ve had it.

Cheers

Dennis

[cfranks]

I've got 2 of the TeleGizmo 365's and they are great. My setup is a permanent pier with a Paramount MX on top and most of the time that's all. That configuration has had a TG 365 on it for a long time now :( but I have a medium Dew Strap around, and towels over, the MX to help control the condensation. For those multiple clear nights, I too, leave the OTA etc. set up and a different TG 365 over the lot. I'm in a rented house so anything more protective is not possible

Charles

[pvelez]

I have almost the same set up as Charles. 2 Telegizmo 365 covers and a towel underneath that.

They are worth the investment

Pete

[torsion]

Thank you all, a telegizmo it will be (fathersday present:) )

Bram

[astro_nutt]

Hi Bram.
I have seen a few guys cover their scope at star parties using camping shower/toilet tents. They cover the scope set-up with a sheet then pop the tent over it. Something to consider.
Cheers.

[naskies]

I use a Telegizmo cover, with a tarp on top (in case either of them develops a leak) - inside a OzTent CR-2 shower tent. The shower tent is pegged down with guy ropes.

It absorbs strong winds that would otherwise risk toppling over a tripod + scope, provides a (mostly) rain proof tent, and absorbs direct sunlight (a big issue for us up in Brisbane) keeping the scope a lot cooler.

I've been using this approach since April - it's weathered several storms (totalling about 350 mm rain) completely fine.

[lazjen]

Dave, have you had any issues with humidity inside your cover?

[naskies]

Yep, I quickly figured out that putting a Telegizmos (or any other waterproof cover) straight over a wet scope + mount was a bad idea...

Now, if I have to pack up early (clouds, work in the morning, etc) I'll throw a thick towel over the OTA and image train to wipe up some of the dew, and then a second towel loosely over that to help absorb moisture. The cover then goes over that. I make sure there's plenty of space around the bottom of the cover to allow ventilation (i.e. the draw string isn't done up). Seems to work fine - the scope is always completely dry when I uncover it. The towels are hung up during the night to dry out.

Otherwise, if I'm staying at home I'll let the scope & mount dry out with the morning sun before packing up.

[lazjen]

Excellent - I'm trying to order a Telegizmos cover now, so that's good to know.

[naskies]

Mine was a very generous gift from a friend, but if I were buying my own I'd consider one of the 365 covers :thumbsup:

[lazjen]

That's exactly what I'm trying to get. I don't expect to leave the scope out in the yard for a long time, but a few night here and there will be quite useful.

My main usage though is for when I go to a dark site. I want to set up for the duration (weekends mostly) and have it covered during the day.

[torsion]

Fathers-day didn't materialise, although it was a lovely day (pancakes, roast chicken, beer .. :)) I'll be in the US for a couple of weeks so will see to get one there.

[noswonky]

The good thing about the Tardis cover is that the scope can be bigger than the box.

[lazjen]

Ha! That would be great. :)

My cover is on its way from the US now. Up to the whim of USPS (I think) as to when it gets here now...

[torsion]

Just a quick update.

I got myself a Telegizmos T3G1, which is their 365 series cover. I have been using it for the last week, and it makes it all much easier and faster to get going.

Attached is a photo of the cover over my C9.25 HD on an iEQ45 mount (with extended cw bar). On the back of the scope are a few extender rings, OAG and Canon T2i. This all fits very comfortably underneath the cover.

I replaced the little metal clamps/pegs with some larger on to close the opening. All in all great little cover, highly recommended!

cheers,
Bram

[Dennis]

Looks great Bram.:)

Just be very careful in strong, gusty wind situations. The large surface area of the cover combined with a significant weight high up could see the rig being blown over, so I would take it down if high wind loads are expected.:shrug:

Cheers

Dennis

[lazjen]

Got to agree Bram - it's a great cover, especially when I was at the dark site - I set up the first day and with the cover i could leave it that way until I had to go home.

[mithrandir]

I have two Telegizmos covers somewhere in transit. A T3R5 for overnights and a TGS0 for solar observing.

[torsion]

Hi Dennis, yes thank you.

We had some stronger wind here mid-week and I was indeed worried that the rig would have been blown over ... all was fine when I came home. But lesson learned .

Cheers,
Bram