Dew Control

bluescope · #1 02-09-2008, 04:46 PM

Ok

So now I've got a nice Apo what's the best way to deal with dew on the lens ..... Kendick Heater ? hair dryer ? other brands ? other devices ?

Suggestions please !

rogerg (Roger) · #2 02-09-2008, 05:51 PM

I purchased a set of dew heaters and controller from Astro-Optical (http://www.astro-optical.com.au) to use on my Megrez & camera lenses. Works great and costs less than Kendrick. They draw max 1 amp each, but the controller has variable dial to tune their heat, I sit them about half power. Plug into cigaret lighter socket. Highly recommended.

Roger.

bluescope · #3 02-09-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

I purchased a set of dew heaters and controller from Astro-Optical (http://www.astro-optical.com.au) to use on my Megrez & camera lenses. Works great and costs less than Kendrick. They draw max 1 amp each, but the controller has variable dial to tune their heat, I sit them about half power. Plug into cigaret lighter socket. Highly recommended.

Roger.

What did the whole setup cost Roger and what did it include, if you don't mind my asking ?

rogerg (Roger) · #4 02-09-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluescope

What did the whole setup cost Roger and what did it include, if you don't mind my asking ?

Had a feeling you were going to test my memory on that

I have 2 x dew straps to suit up to 100mm diameter tube, plus 1 x control box which has 3 ports on it and a temperature/power dial.

I have a feeling the whole setup was about AU$140, but that's just a vague memory, I really cannot be sure sorry.

Roger.

bluescope · #5 02-09-2008, 06:45 PM

That doesn't sound too bad at all compared to Kendrick and Orion.

I had a quick look at the website link and could only find the straps and no prices.

rogerg (Roger) · #6 02-09-2008, 06:47 PM

Ahh.. it was some time ago (something like a year). I remember ringing them up and asking about it, I don't think they had prices on their website then, otherwise I would've probably just ordered them online. They were very helpful on the phone.

Roger.

erick (Eric) · #7 02-09-2008, 07:48 PM

Steve, check the Thousand Oaks controller and DewNot heater straps from Peter Read:-

http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/shop...2a579bf4223469

I'm happy with them.

bluescope · #8 02-09-2008, 08:36 PM

Thanks Eric, I'll check it out.

gmbfilter (Geoff) · #9 02-09-2008, 09:29 PM

I bought the orion 4 pot dew heater works as advertised but I don't like how stiff it is to push the RCA (i think that's what they are called) plugs in and out. I would liked to have try the TO controller.

Mind you they don't fall out!

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #10 02-09-2008, 09:30 PM

Was going to suggest what Eric did, especially the dewnot gear, however the controller can be made up from a kit if you're that way inclined. I made a couple last year for about $20 each, there are examples in the IIS projects area..

bluescope · #11 02-09-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerg

Ahh.. it was some time ago (something like a year). I remember ringing them up and asking about it, I don't think they had prices on their website then, otherwise I would've probably just ordered them online. They were very helpful on the phone.

Roger.

No worries, thanks Roger.

bluescope · #12 02-09-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmbfilter

I bought the orion 4 pot dew heater works as advertised but I don't like how stiff it is to push the RCA (i think that's what they are called) plugs in and out. I would liked to have try the TO controller.

Mind you they don't fall out!

Cheers !

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroB76

Was going to suggest what Eric did, especially the dewnot gear, however the controller can be made up from a kit if you're that way inclined. I made a couple last year for about $20 each, there are examples in the IIS projects area..

Not that way inclined Jethro !

bluescope · #13 02-09-2008, 10:01 PM

I see Kendrick have a new ccompact system

http://www.kendrickastro.com/astro/d...LiteController

Has anyone had any hands on experience of these ?

montewilson (Monte) · #14 05-09-2008, 05:40 AM

I made mine too with Nichrome wire from Jaycar. I just leave them on all the time with a gentle heat. I haven't had dew on my coke bottle for more than ten years and it cost me less than $5.

bluescope · #15 10-09-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montewilson

I made mine too with Nichrome wire from Jaycar. I just leave them on all the time with a gentle heat. I haven't had dew on my coke bottle for more than ten years and it cost me less than $5.

What did you use to cover the wire Monte and how do you control temp ? Any pics ?

AlexN · #16 10-09-2008, 06:15 PM

I got the Thousand Oaks controller from Peter Read with a 3" band for my 80mm, a 4" band for the 90mm, a 2" for the reticule EP.. all up it set me back $260... Bargain in my opinion.. works brilliantly.

bluescope · #17 11-09-2008, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Steve, check the Thousand Oaks controller and DewNot heater straps from Peter Read:-

http://www.sdmtelescopes.com.au/shop...2a579bf4223469

I'm happy with them.

Thanks again Eric, looks like the go. I have emailed them regarding suitable size strap for FLT110.

p.s. Thanks also Alex !

erick (Eric) · #18 11-09-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluescope

Thanks again Eric, looks like the go. I have emailed them regarding suitable size strap for FLT110.

p.s. Thanks also Alex !

M sense is the straps are "oversize" - they overlap several cm in all my applications - which is fine. With the velcro connection on an elasticated band they are so easy to position and fasten.

Paramount · #19 11-09-2008, 09:22 AM

Hi
I use a Kendrick Digifire 7 and am very happy with it, you can adjust the output from 10 to 100% depending on aperture and ambient temperature and there are 4 variable outputs plus a dedicated 12v output. I would be very cautious about using hair driers or equivalent as the heating elements attract dust and when you switch on there is a risk that you then blow dust all over your valuable optics (not a good idea), if you are going to use a hair drier and I have in the past aim it at the side of the telescope close to where the objective lens is and at an angle pointing towards where the light comes into the telescope, that way you won't risk blowing directly at the lens
Best wishes
Gordon

bluescope · #20 11-09-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

M sense is the straps are "oversize" - they overlap several cm in all my applications - which is fine. With the velcro connection on an elasticated band they are so easy to position and fasten.

Cheers Eric

I noted that on the site they were out of 4 inch straps so I'll see what they say. No reply yet !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paramount

Hi
I use a Kendrick Digifire 7 and am very happy with it, you can adjust the output from 10 to 100% depending on aperture and ambient temperature and there are 4 variable outputs plus a dedicated 12v output. I would be very cautious about using hair driers or equivalent as the heating elements attract dust and when you switch on there is a risk that you then blow dust all over your valuable optics (not a good idea), if you are going to use a hair drier and I have in the past aim it at the side of the telescope close to where the objective lens is and at an angle pointing towards where the light comes into the telescope, that way you won't risk blowing directly at the lens
Best wishes
Gordon

Hi Gordon

No worries ... I didn't want to use a hair dryer hence my posting of this thread but thanks for the tip if the need ever arises.

The Thousand Oaks controller also has 4 connectors and an auxiliary 12v output and is fully adjustable from 0-100% and is about AUD$70 cheaper that the DigiFire 7 so I think I will go with it and the Dew Not straps. Also Kendrick recommend using their Premium Controller and straps if temps get close to 0 degrees in your location or if you get very heavy dew ( their Premium gear is a lot more expensive ). I am moving to a 5 acre dark sky location early next year that is about 100kms inland and gets quite a bit colder in winter than Perth which is on the coast ( not sure about dew levels ) but I really don't want to be spending AUD$600-700 for dew control unless I absolutely have to.

Hope you are getting some clear skies in UK ... I'm from Rugby in Warwickshire originally 42 years ago so I know how fickle the weather can be.

Thanks again.