Yes it's true, the Showercap that fitted the 12" was a Mutant.
After research at shops (with some strange looks from staff) the standard showercap will only fit up to 8" OTA. I took my scopes dust cover with me to check for size.
<b>SOLUTION FOR 10" - 16"</b>
I remembered seeing something similar to a large showercap on the bottom of Budgie cages.
So I also called into the pet shop this morning and <b>BINGO!</b>
Found them. In all sorts of sizes, shapes, materials and colours.
I went for the Round Blue plastic one.
My 12" uses a 'Large' Masterpet Round Cage Tidy. Size on the packet is 63cm diameter x 13cm depth.
It fits snug.
If you go to the pet shop, take your dust cap with you to find the right size. They also come in extra large for huge OTA's.
By the way, it was $5.50.
PROBLEM SOLVED!
For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about re: Shower Caps for telescopes - the showercap keeps spiders, dust etc. from entering the open mirror-cell style reflectors and dobs when the scope is not being used.
Last edited by ballaratdragons; 12-02-2005 at 02:17 PM.
I had a frog leap out from scope last night and land on my back. I don't think it came from inside the tube, more likely he was hiding in one of the nooks and crannys.
The scope is now located in my lounge room, not in the laundry shed. At least until I've made a full length cover for it.
lol I just spray mine with insectic..insect...inse..bug spray. Might be why my mirror is getting gunked up lol JK. I put a showercap on first then hit it with the bug stuff. My poor scope lives outside and gets invaded with slugs,snails and other nasties.
Over the weekend I toured the pet-shops of Cairns trying to locate the stated Cage Tidy. I was unsuccessful, and it was much the same with trying to find a suitable sized showercap from the major retailers. However, I struck gold when I examined the hotel provided showercap, the ones that come in the little box. It's a perfect fit for the 12" dob. It goes without saying that it went into my bag, without being used, and so did it's replacement the next day.