How do you store your Dob?

[knightrider]

I'm considering storing my dob in the shed so I can just trolley it out as many dob owners do.

However up in the tropics of north qld we have high humidity for about 5 months of the year.
I'm concerned leaving it in an enclosed shed with increased heat and much higher humidity (we expect a almost constant 90% or higher during the summer) would have ill effects on it.

At present I store it in the house to keep it from being locked in a hot humid enviroment. It's just cumbersome to carry it out through doorways and through the house.

So my question is, does anyone have problems with their scope being stored in high humidity or in a hot shed?

[doppler (Rick)]

I have stored my scopes in a 3mtr x 3mtr shed for years with no ill effect. Dust is a bit of a problem in sheds so I keep them well wraped up. I use a $12 Kmart sleeping bag over my 10" dob. I think that condensation in the cooler weather is more detrimental.
If you do store your scope in the shed be mindfull of any chemicals you also store there, ie pool chlorine is very corosive.

Rick

[knightrider]

I agree chemicals would be an issue. I was thinking the humidity could get to the mirrors, or the chipboard of the base to swell. Of course that shoudn't happen if it is sealed properly.

[michael740 (Michael)]

The sleeping bag is a top idea !!

[doppler (Rick)]

Originally Posted by knightrider

I agree chemicals would be an issue. I was thinking the humidity could get to the mirrors, or the chipboard of the base to swell. Of course that shoudn't happen if it is sealed properly.

My beer is dripping with condensation, I have sweat pouring of me and the fridge is icing up but my steel tube scope is dry, not even a drop.

The sleeping bag is great, a baby size would be great for my refractors (if they made one).

[glend (Glen)]

My 16" dob lives in my big shed but it is covered by a full-length Telegizmo cover right down to the concrete, well it actually sits on a garage floor rubber mat to stop moisture cming up from the slab.. I keep a dehumidifier pack under the cover , and that needs to be replaced from time to time but generally once it has pulled the moisture from beneath the cover it stays dry in there so the pack lasts much longer than one outside the cover. I also have a dehumidifier (electric) that I run whenever its feeling damp in the shed and that really sucks the moisture out of the air. This is in my big garage shed/workshop (9m x 4.5m). As I live by the largest salt water lake in Australia it is pretty damp.

[skysurfer]

I store my 40cm Dob in the shed, covered with a plastic sheet cover over the whole OTA. In the cold climate in Holland it is always on temperature as my shed is not heated. So cooling before an observing session is not needed. I just trolley it out so it is a Grab&Go !
On top of the plastic mirror cover inside the mirror bucket (it is a truss design) I put some newspapers to capture moisture.
I think cold+humidity is worse than hot humidity as in North Qld. Hot humid air of 30C and 90% can take up much more moisture than cold air of 0 C and 90%. But, indeed dry air such as in Western Cape or the Outback is better.
The only thing what you must never do in the tropics is taking a telescope from outdoors to an air conditioned room.
I did this once in Bali and the result was a completely wet Genesis.

[knightrider]

Originally Posted by doppler

My beer is dripping with condensation, I have sweat pouring of me and the fridge is icing up but my steel tube scope is dry, not even a drop.

The sleeping bag is great, a baby size would be great for my refractors (if they made one).

Using the sleeping bag is a good idea. I currently use a big sheet I wraparound to cover it top to bottom. Mainly to keep the dust off it.

Originally Posted by skysurfer

I store my 40cm Dob in the shed, covered with a plastic sheet cover over the whole OTA. In the cold climate in Holland it is always on temperature as my shed is not heated. So cooling before an observing session is not needed. I just trolley it out so it is a Grab&Go !
On top of the plastic mirror cover inside the mirror bucket (it is a truss design) I put some newspapers to capture moisture.
I think cold+humidity is worse than hot humidity as in North Qld. Hot humid air of 30C and 90% can take up much more moisture than cold air of 0 C and 90%. But, indeed dry air such as in Western Cape or the Outback is better.
The only thing what you must never do in the tropics is taking a telescope from outdoors to an air conditioned room.
I did this once in Bali and the result was a completely wet Genesis.

I agree, a dry climate would be ideal. In all honesty it is dry here most of the year, mainly just the summer gets humid. I haven't an issue with air con, although when viewing the dob does at time get covered in dew.

Perhaps the dew is probably more concerning than the humidity, and if I'm not really concerned about the dew I probably shouldn't be worried about the heat and humidity of the shed.

It's good to hear how others store their scopes. It gives a good idea how our equipment fares in different conditions.