Cold as a Mother In Law's Kiss

[Exfso]

That sums up the temps at present. Just went outside to check my equipment in the roll off roof observatory( it is closed) and it is 1deg. This morning at 10am I decided I had better do an inspection and found the mount covered in dew and the roof not opened, how can this be?? I now have an electric blanket on low draped around it, hence my very recent trip 5 mins ago. Aint winter great..

[h0ughy]

Did you tuck lit'l scopy in :love: , give it a kiss and draw the covers :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Astroman]

I found a similar problem with my dome, there was dew all over it and in it. the scope was dry byt now I have a problem with the bearings on it getting a little tight to move, I suspect a little rust getting in somewhere or could just be frozen lubricant.

[Exfso]

Well I just checked out the "baby", and it is dry as a chip, damn cold but dry, so obviously the 'leccy blanket" did the trick. I suspect our temp dropped to below freezing here last night, as it was about midnight that it was 1 deg, and it usually gets coldest about 5am. More to come too, looking at the satellite photo. :scared2:

[Sausageman]

Hey Guy's,
With all that expensive gear in observatories, and you didn't buy a cover?
Draw up a plan and get your local upholsterer to make you one.
Here are two I had made, one for me and one for Striker


Mike

[ving]

too cold for me... If i went ouside I would be able to comein till the next day cause our temps have been around zero for a while now. :(
i hate winter

[astroron]

Do you have the walls and roof insulated? if the building is just tin you will get dew, my roof and walls are all insulated with polestyrine and plywood and I never get dew when the roof is closed.astroron :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

ABC new childrens Characters, i can see it now M1 and S2 bananabenders in pajamas! :D

[Sausageman]

Well thanks for that HOughy... :rofl:
Just protecting the Family jewels.. :D
I'm sure Striker would agree too. There is some serious money involved.
PS, Don't tell his missus how much they cost...LOL
Whoops, I shouldn't have said that......

Mike

[Exfso]

Walls and roof not insulated, unusual thing is that it is only the mount and scope (if mounted ) that dews up all the rest of the gear stays dry. Also my main shed 5metres away is not insulated in any way and no dew forms inside that..Got me by the "proverbials"!!!

[Sausageman]

Are the mount and scope black by any chance?
What sort of pier do you have? steel/concrete, and is it black?
Had a problem like that with the C14 Pier it was painted black and always drew the moisture. A coat of light blue enamel fixed it.
Don't paint the scope though.....

Mike

[Exfso]

The mount is the Losmandy G11 which is anodised black aluminium. Not going to paint that. The leccy blanket appears to be doing the trick at present, doensnt look too flash, but at least it works.

:ashamed: