Storing astro gear?

[garymck]

Hi,
I've decided to dismantle my home obs for a number of reasons. Firstly, I live in Geelong West and the light pollution is now quite horrendous (worse than when I lived in Northcote near central Melbourne), secondly there have been second story additions on neighbours homes that mean I can now only image over a very narrow swathe of sky, thirdly the weather has changed over the last 6 years so that even when clear, there is a high mist that kills transparency. I haven't had a clear night worth imaging for 4 months. I will keep my refractor/HEQ5 in the lounge or for portable (though Heathcote is 3 hours away and I haven't been there for 3 years!

I had thought about selling everything (including my pride and joy Mesu 200) however the current secondhand market means that even if I could sell my gear, I would only get a pittance for it. Hence I'm going to pack the gear and store it on the basis that when my partner retires in 3-5 years we will move to dark skies.

Are there any special things I should consider for storing mounts? Optics? CCD Cameras? Probably need to minimise condensation etc? Inside house if I can find room? Shed OK?

Suggestions welcome

cheers
Gary

[Wavytone]

Yes pack all of the above with desiccant packs to prevent fungus growth.

[casstony]

Optics stored in a fully lined building not subject to high humidity are ok under a cloth - otherwise they need to be in airtight containers with rechargeable desiccant packs.

I've found these to work well: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WHITE-Air-Rechargeable-Dehumidifier-Wardrobe-Safe-Mould-Moisture-absorber-250ml/183185611374?hash=item2aa6b69a6e&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&enc=AQADAAADEFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9 VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVfPsJAEM852 DCA4WHvnFUIIpZbOo6QGH80AB44SuTWzas4 XqtBc%2B4mxj0I9Ap%2B3jktHQYttvfnR7I 58TH22W5uo6PNWlEganrAKJlrUpZzeu89Z1 eDyG0MywOJ16%2BL1kfMFAAOl9th5Hd54jf 5HWaX0Lw07JdJMIeOW8S8X9%2FP7ABQcQV% 2B1bU9XaBJ9zYrvtY5SW2CJdOuOGs6o8xe7 weEcT5D45P0T8PWkrMlPwiPM04L5C96C3W9 gLTFpF4nidUdMCTAxRXx7STfmpg%2FakfkW 84YdioyQQTivhhtv%2Bm9pLKWMX2y2xAAMH cWFfp%2B%2FDLV7%2BVcFTe0yK74tB57FYW bPZgRSaBRF9QLus9QHMZtwasaKXCZCOrfj% 2FUsucIBfeEvdUyqWkG0iYN9zjk59Nr4DLF nhAJ6ag3RsBDr%2BhY10dM%2BE9qk3pszjo 0w8f8gzqMWGcBjoR3aRgMhQYPfnpZEQ1%2F d2DQ5YpM1j5USPcQ3md5DL2uP8JJaO8qfZP 7GSEh9wMM7aPMFV98O1QoVczZy6KSzgdQUf z8ku%2FX6WyjTWZXKmZj%2FPYIfd2RcRDR7 4%2FmR%2Ba0HEaq%2Bo7ZTBro%2BWqn%2Fj xWLaaeA5Z47XGtQNlpVuPx5CU9PlvR5IATG qs06sxwTa8XCh%2FsCg5Nvg9Aj6Erynkjiw fxufTn2z%2FCxVuq8v5gwvIQsZtYA5KmYIt FM%2BBIFUrlsPAKYM5eiJuIQRrCRlkGjhU1 kaaJjB%2BzkeyheNZAyyN%2Bk95%2FZ%2Fr CXWcZU5nhiKOyLye10trIKUoMQlZg9FuqcW iwlJVtkiUXv51Q4l%2B7m331l%2BhYpl%2F rAJpE19gaE9M5Fe3OpGnUnr2WzlPu%2BGS1 mJecE0E7YFO2sq57yGcOX77yuqlCZu9gr%2 Fvo2laFeghkVZEZfMdQGMd2cim1AiNw87Rm lyigNQt%2F1dDrnVkfycTE2PiP6RGZQyR1Z a1DKH7oGnclD3PFKEzff1rJFx%2FmJJNXy1 Q1FXFh1TkzHcw%3D&checksum=18318561137450bf19629bb942 b58c338622cdf54ea3&frcectupt=true

[Wavytone]

I’d also be inclined to put the gear out in full sun for a day as UV kills fungus, and unpack annually, repeat and repack to make sure all is well and check the desiccant.

Otherwise if you leave it all untouched for 5years there could be an unpleasant mess, I’ve seen this with camera gear supposedly stored properly for some years after the owner passed away. In the end it was all a mess and was disposed of.

[garymck]

Hi,
thanks all for the suggestions...at the moment looks like I'll find space inside the house, so less prone to moisture problems. I think sitting in the sun to kill fungus is a great idea - hadn't thought of that ! Will stioll get some dessicant though...

cheers
Gary