Hi,
looking for advice on which dew controller/heater to buy..... Last week was trying to image in melbourne and had huge problems with dew on my guidescope.... never had a problem before, so took a while to figure out why I kept losing guidestar ....duuuhhhhhhh, kept looking for clouds!!!! Not really competent to build my own....Cheap would be good...if there is anything that is cheap in this hobby....
Generally speaking people use controllers to reduce the energy consumption and give longer life (hrs of operation) when using batteries. Especially in the field.
I use one (controller) and only try to input the smallest amount of energy needed to keep dew at bay...however..generally speaking there should not be a issue running heater straps straight from 12V..or at full energy. Especially if you are not concerned with power consumption.
Last edited by wasyoungonce; 02-08-2010 at 11:26 AM.
can you pls post a link to the site where making of stripps is explained?
Here in Auckland dew is even worse than in Melbourne and I keep reading things about dew control even for eyepieces. I experience problems with fogged up eyepieces when I just put my eye to it.
I can run the lot from a transformer but would like to be able running it from a 12V DC 24A/h power tank, too, without having to go home after just 2hours in the field.
I know the solutions offered at shops but would love to be able to do it myself-for the pride and cost savings.
thanks in advance!
I use a DewBuster system with a series of Kendrick Firefly dew heater straps. Works a treat.
On my FSQ-106N, I have one on the dew shield, and one on the focuser drawtube to try and maintain temperature equilibrium. I also have one on the finderscope. The DewBuster system accepts two temperature sensors (you really ony need one, though, as I can't imagine there being such a huge temperature difference within the space of 1 metre square).
Check out the Dewbuster web site. It mightn't be the cheapest solution at $200, but, it has alleviated the need to keep taking a hairdryer to the optics, as well as running a dew strap 100% all the time. I set the temperature i wish for the strap to reach above ambient (typically between 5-10 degrees) and forget about it for the rest of the night. It takes care of everything.
Last time out with scope and the gear I encountered some extreme dew and cold { for Perth anywhy} which prompted some research to upgrade from my trusty old Kendricks basic controller to something a little more advanced. Gone for the Dewbuster system to, yet to receive it but so far Ron keating has been a pleasure to deal with and transaction hassle free.
I started trying to make both discrete resistor types and nichrome wire ones and was unhappy with the direction both were going. A small range of straps and all the smaller optics are fine. The only issue so far has been keeping a 10" corrector plate dry all the way across, about 1/2 dry in bad conditions. Hopefully some shielding will help with that.
for Perth anywhy} which prompted some research to upgrade from my trusty old Kendricks basic controller to something a little more advanced. Gone for the Dewbuster system to, yet to receive it but so far Ron keating has been a pleasure to deal with and transaction hassle free.
