Wet weather precautions

[telecasterguru]

How do people protect their equipment in the case of wet weather?

Last week I packed up and it started raining a couple of minutes after I had finished so I thought I would ask what precautions people take in case it starts raining during an imaging or observing session.

Frank

[floyd_2]

For me, I would just roll the scope back into the shed if it was decent rain - would take about 30 seconds. The downside of that escape plan is that you can forget about your polar alignment. For light rain or rain that doesn't look like it's setting in for the night I have a tarp handy and would just tarp the scope up until the rain was over with. My computer is already under cover, so I just have to protect the scope.

Having said all of that, I'm yet to be rained on in 20 years of observing. Doesn't hurt to be prepared though!

Dean

[pgc hunter]

keep an eye on the weather forecast, satpics etc and ofcourse on the sky. If it looks like it might rain, I wouldnt go out in the first place.

[h0ughy]

Always have a nice sized tarp on hand and a couple of wheelie bin sized garbage bags. The tarp is the short quick fix but I have bagged and tagged the gear to protect before tarping for a longer duration event. Failing that if it is set in or maybe a storm I have physically moved the scope and mount before to cover. A few years ago at astrofest a dark cloud cam over wit ha quick shower, it stopped the auto guiding but only lasted 5 minutes - tarp off and was still on same star for guiding so resumed activities quickly.

[mithrandir]

Given that you contend Melbourne is always cloudy, and that clouds lead to rain, does that mean you never go out? :P

[pgc hunter]

Well, the frequency of my outings is much less than desirable :(

[Wavytone]

I carry a garbage bag that I can throw over the scope; rather fitting as the scope is rubbish anyway;)
I'll throw the rest of the gear in the car.

[jjjnettie]

I use a couple of those collapsible mulch bags.
One is made of woven plastic, it cost $7 from The Reject Shop.
The other is made of water proof canvas, $20 from Big W.
I also have sheets of canvas and plastic tarps to cover my table and power boards.
My everything storage box contains plenty of ties, straps and reusable cable ties in case it get's windy too.

[tlgerdes]

Plastic outdoor chair cover from $2 shop (usually you buy 2 for $4 or $3 each, go figure for a $2 shop :screwy:), a little bit of duct tape in 3 places around the opening, hole punch through the tape, then loop large rubber bands through and onto the leg adjusters of the G11.

Dont forget a towel to put over the scope first to minimise dew build up effects underneath and stops the sharp edges cutting through the plastic.