Automated Temperature Controlled LX200GPS

[Comet Hunter]

Ok, finally after a month of work here it is... :jump2:

Automated Temperature Controlled LX200GPS (http://www.comethunter.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=72)

Apart from a bit of tidying up of some parts the hardware side of the project is finished and is fully operational, the software needs alot of work still to reach its full potential. :bashcomp:

For the first time ever I had no dew issues at all last night. :cool: I might actually get some decent photography done now that I wont be imaging through a layer of condensation.

[Starkler]

I have seen a similar solution that doesnt involve a computer.

Its just two temperature sensors, one for the corrector plate, and another monitoring air temperature. They connect to a circuit which will heat the plate to a temperature differential you set by turning a knob.

[mojo]

Very interesting Andrew. Love DIY projects.

You could also use a PIC to sense the temperature and turn on relay's etc. Some have a few analog to digital converters, so you can sense the ambient temperature and scope temperature at the same time.
That way it would be totally self-contained. If you use a PICAXE (http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/) you can program them in Basic if you have limited software writing skills.

How about sewing the nichrome wire into cloth, or whatever doesn't burn :) with sizalation on the external side. That might keep heat loss down and directed towards the scope.

[iceman]

I love it when you talk technical Terry :poke: :D

Looks great Andrew! It's always great when homemade projects make your life easier!

[mojo]

How about variable temperature control through PWM.
Are you turned on yet, Mike?

[Comet Hunter]

As with most things theres a thousand ways of doing it ... this just happens to be the way I tackled this project. I learnt alot while working on it and enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to further developing it to improve the design to be the best it can. After two field tests and a few modifications already I'm very happy with the results and if the last Mars shot I posted is anything to go by it's been well worth the effort...finally I can get some dew free imaging done. :)

PS - I'm now a 17mm T4 Nagler owner Woohoo!!!!