dew control for the non electrically minded

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #1 07-05-2011, 07:07 PM

Hello all, last night got clear about 3am and had both my EQ 6 mounted 80mm refractors and my Alt AZ Meade SCT working- trouble was as the temp dropped the SCT was just covered in dew.
So need advice about where to go to next for amelioration. I have the scope parked the house so electricity is not a problem.
I noted that the refractors, with the dew extensions that came with them, worked well. So is it just a case of a piece of cardboard extending over the end of the Meade. Or do people advise the gadgets you can buy?
Damp Hobart Graham

KenNo2658 (Ken) · #2 07-05-2011, 08:39 PM

Graham, have a look at this link http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=75097

It's a recent discussion on this issue. I've made one of the camp mat and velcro shields and it works quite well. I've also just picked up a home brew heater to give a try if I ever get any sky again!
Ken

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #3 07-05-2011, 10:17 PM

Thanks for that, I feel a Bunnings trip coming on. So much good advice on this forum. Was only tonight thanking the person who did the article on DIY vibration suppression pads. Mine from a 'shop' disintegrated after one year in Tassie (they are always outside) so I made them with the car rubber mats and silicon bathroom filler. Beauty!
I like the stubbie holder idea too.
Down here I keep warm with some knock off UGG boots and a Canada Goose Arctic Parka. Plus Cascade beer beanie of course. Only issue with parka is has apparently got coyote fur trim on hood, drives the local dogs insane in the brain!
Now all I need is some one from IIS to make a plan for a little heater to insert in the boots powered by a 12V battery...
Yours, now warming up
Graham
Owner of the only webcam/Roll on deodorant hydrid-the Deocam! (it fitted nicely, Ok!)

zeb00 · #4 08-05-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

Now all I need is some one from IIS to make a plan for a little heater to insert in the boots powered by a 12V battery...

http://www.ecvv.com/product/866490.html

graham.hobart (Graham stevens) · #5 10-05-2011, 11:19 PM

I have now some really speccy dew shields. K Mart had this camping mat that was black on one side and green the other-plus some velcro. So now my SCT is all tooled up and so is my pair of binos.
Plus they had some really cheap drink coolers that are sort of jersey shaped, for 2.99, they just need a snip and they fit beautifully on the finderscopes
Thanks IIS again.
graham

KenNo2658 (Ken) · #6 11-05-2011, 03:18 AM

Hi Graham, good to see you are finding out just how smart the guys on this site are! I tried out the home brew heater the other night and it seemed to work great! Freezing cold and the dew didn't seem as bad but I had no problems at all. Except for nearly freezing to death before I gave up and went inside! The scope actually felt warm around the heater, so I reckon I won't have any more problems from now on.

Ken