Protecting your equipment in the outdoor

[Manav]

Hi Guys,

Just a bit of background info I have a EQ6 mount with with a 254mm reflector. So the whole setup is fairly large to make matters worse I live in a apartment.

At the moment my mount and the OTA are in the guest room and I move them when required (lots of work and effort). I would love to move the whole setup to the balcony which has no overhead cover, my concern is the weather especially Sun (UV damage), Rain (Humidity) may have on the whole setup.

Just wondering if someone has had to deal with similar problems and what solutions are available out there.

By the way I went to Bunnings store and they have a good quality tarp as well as BBQ covers that can be used as make shift covers. I also saw some temp awnings.

Any ideas? :shrug:

[dannat]

yes the BBq, or outside chair covers may work - i would get an awning or keep it inside - you don't ant anything happening to your gear

[astro_nutt]

Just a few things to consider...strong winds, storms etc...make sure the mount is secured..use sandbags attached to the mount's legs etc..place some bags of silica gel around the base of the scope's primary mirror cell..I would use a high quality car or motorbike cover and for a bit more protection, a beach umbrella that is well anchored. You could just leave the mount outdoors only which would be kinder to the scope!
Cheers!

[M54]

Could you make a little platform on wheels/castors to put the scope on in the guest room and then just wheel it out of the way when needed?
Would it fit through the door fully set up?

[Manav]

Molly - No the balcony doors are quite small. The wheel idea will work if I has a house.

Astro_Nutt - Since its the GOTO mount I hope the motors don't get affected.

Thanks for the reply guys I think the best solution is probably to buy a house :D. But until the God's rain money on me I think I will probably use the car cover as suggested from Bunnings and get a beach umbrella with the proper stand.

I'm hoping the Skywatcher EQ6 mount can handle Sydney weather with that protection.

[acropolite]

I wouldn't keep anything outside under plastic covers, condensation can build up under plastic and cause problems. I have a barbecue at home under the carport but with a plastic cover. Mould builds up if I leave the cover on for extended periods, no cover, no mould.

[Manav]

So the plastic cover for the OTA is a no no? What else can I use?

[Rhino1980]

I would put the mount under the bed in a suitcase and hang the scope on some wall racks. Putty and paint the holes from the racks before final inspection!

[DavidU]

Now thats an idea !
Please do NOT cover a scope with plastic,sure it keeps rain off but also keeps moisture in, and can raise the temp by stopping air flow.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

My scope lives outside full-time, under an awning, granted but is still exposed to the rude weather.
After some experimentation, I found an almost ideal covering: those $20 chequered work jackets from Ray's - the more washed the better. The cotton outer and quilted lining absorbs the moisture while the polyester inner protects your scope's finish. A fair bit of cutting and sewing is required for a big OTA, but, combined with something like a small motorbike cover to repel rain, they make a completely weatherproof cover (also eliminates the need for dew-busters).
I also give mine a quick zap with a persistant insecticide to stop spiders from nesting.

[DavidU]

Neat idea. It will "breath" as well.

[Shano592]

And just be safe, hit the weather-side with a can of water-proofing spray.

For $15, it is good insurance against a serious Sydney downpour.

[toryglen-boy]

i keep my OTA's inside, but my EQ6 outside, so i dont have to keep polar aligning it.

i have a huge cotton sheet, folded over from corner to corner to make a massive triangle, then i tie this around the mount head, making sure the actually mount is covered. I then put a have duty black bin bag over this, and tie this up tight around the large spreader bolt, so teh cotton is above that, ie. the mount itself isnt exposed to the fresh air, then on top of that, i put a heavy see through bag, for protection on top of that, then ontop of that i put a light weight see through tarp, that has been tied in a knot at the top to produce a kinda "bag" this then goes over the top of the EQ6, and reaches right down to the ground.

This seems to protect it well, and i have never had any issues.

:)

[DavidU]

There is a guy on CN who left his dob covered but out dorrs for one day.
:scared:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3235571/page/1/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

[Manav]

OMG after watching that I think I will def keep the OTA inside. The mount should be okay with some of the solutions mentioned below.