Anyone tried this for Dew control?

[Mittay (Tim)]

I think the ones on the market are very overpriced for what they are. Has anyone tried using a Reptile heating cable? You can get a cheap controller for it too ($15 or so) It's mains supply, but you could easily connect it to a 12v if need be.

I'm also looking at making my own straps using http://www.carbonheater.us/

I rekon it would be fairly easy to hook it all up.

Anyone done anything else similar?

Cheers!

[JimsShed (Jim)]

I admire your curiosity. Would you really be saving much once you bought the materials and bits to conveniently fix it to the scope and run it on 12 volt, with adjustable power (which you will need)?
I'm often surprised when I have a DIY idea predicated on cost saving, that turns out to be false.

[cfranks (Charles)]

I'm currently trying some of these: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-PWM-D...3D181539908750

For small/medium heater straps a friend uses similar to these. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-20W-F...8AAOSwJb9WryG6

[Bart]

Damn you Chas, more expenditure!

I ordered 2 heater strips and 4 controllers, just what I was after.

[Mittay (Tim)]

I'll give it a go and post it in the DIY when finished.

I also made a self powered motorised focuser system after seeing one on the net on from a random video. Will post that one when the last part arrives from China. That one cost about $40 to whip together and no batteries.

[VPAstro (Andrew and Cam)]

Yep, I used those PWM's. I have 3 of them, in a hobby box i bought from Jaycar, Wired it all up with 3 fuses, switches, red leds and RCA sockets for output. I made my heater strips from nichrome wire and gaffer tape. I have an indoor outdoor thermometer with probe, I got from Ebay for about $7.00 so I can monitor the temp of both the main dew strip and ambient.
The setup works really well and cost me $40.00 all up.
Thanks
Andrew....

[ZeroID (Brent)]

I picked up 3 x 12-24 volt 8 Amp motor controllers for $14 from DealExtreme. Got them to manage my cooled 450D TEC unit. Didn't thought of using them as a dew heater controller unit. I have a 12 volt supply with about 12 amps deliverable and several other options in power supplies plus various heater element options in Resistors, Nichrome or carbon film possibly.

I can feel another project coming on. Cool !

Currently I use a 6 watt beer brewing mat around the Lunt just behind the objective. But it's in the Ob at home so 240 vac available. I wrap an old hand towel around it to insulate it. Works well.