For those with an outdoor pier, how much do you pack away each night, and what do you leave outside?
Having just completed my pier, I've been leaving the EQ6 on top of it and whacking a big white plastic bag over it for protection. However, when I take the bag off, there is condensation on the mount.
Does anyone leave their mount on their outdoor pier with a cover over it?
My mount and scope stay outside most of the time, only bringing it in when I'm leaving town for the day.
It's covered in layers. a towel being the first, to absorb any condensation, then a quilt for insulation, a blue tarp as a second defence against rain, then topped off with a Telegizmos cover.
In your instance, I'd be putting on a towel, then slipping a sleeping bag over top, then add your plastic bag.
I leave my EQ6 with coutnerweights outside but not the scope.
I have 2 barbeque covers over it. The first has flocking to absorb moisture - it only covers the mount head and counterweights. The second is simply waterproof and much larger, extending down to cover half the pier. Ocky straps then keep it nice and tight around the pier.
I am tempted to leave my scope out as well once its properly aligned. As yet however I haven't quite reached that level of confidence in my covering.
IM in the same boat as you Jason and there are some great ideas here...but would you need to go to the extent of insulating the complete TS assembly. How tough is a EQ6 and newton set up, I mean it gets quite humid and hot in the NT. I plan to leave mine outside + dslr.
IM in the same boat as you Jason and there are some great ideas here...but would you need to go to the extent of insulating the complete TS assembly. How tough is a EQ6 and newton set up, I mean it gets quite humid and hot in the NT. I plan to leave mine outside + dslr.
Dan
I wouldn't leave a scope and DSLR outside under any circumstances. part of the issue is that at the end of a nights viewing your equipment is wet with dew. Then you wrap it up with a 'sealed' blanket and it can't dry out so it sweats and corrodes sensitive bits. I'm not even a fan of leaving the mount head on the pier even with a towel or something to absorb the moisture. It's still in there with the equipment unfortunately.
You really need a ventilated, preferably fan forced, box to give the wet an escape to let the gear dry properly. Chucking some gel in might assist but they are really only for enclosed small low moisture environs, they are not going to suck up a cup full of dew. And would need refreshing after every use.
An Ob is the obvious best solution of course but even in there although I would cover the scope etc it would be unsealed, open at the bottom to let moisture out.
If your scope and mount went to bed wet with dew, they definitely have to have a complete airing the next day. You'll only be encouraging mould/rust/corrosion to develop otherwise.
Hi all!
I remember seeing a chap using a camping changeroom/toilet to cover his 300mm dob. It keep the out of the elements and away from dew. Vents near the top provided some airflow. You might be able to rig up one of those solar powered fans as well.
Cheers!
Thanks for the heads up Brent and JJJ. I might look into some kind of mini hunt that sits on top of the pier with a decent fan that's on timer everyday to eliminate any moisture contained within. Hmm im sure its possible, I guess its a matter of designing a enclosure that simulates having the setup inside your house...airflow like you said Brent. Living in such a small house with 3 kids running around, im going to give this challenge ago I think..might end up costing more than the pier tho
The bottom piece at the entrance could be cut and then held back together with Velcro.
Four Quick Release fastenings to the ground/base board might make it stable in wind. Unclip the Velcro and fastenings then move the structure out of the way to observe.
How about something like framed plastic glasshouse kits. Normally RF welded seams and UV protected so you could get a couple of years out of it. Light enough to pick up and move out of the way. Ventilation could be arranged.
I'm going with a modified tin shed idea. $430 plus some sealant and framing timber to swing the roof and stabilise the whole thing. Reckon I can get away with a proper little Ob for about $600 or so. Solar fan, side swivel roof. Keep me happy and dry
Sorry about that guys. I guess the Kettle BBQ cover was ok for the odd overnighter. Thanks for the heads up Robin and David for what happens with continual overnighters.
I like the idea of the Tardis roll away cover , it brings to mind a similar idea that Patrick Moore used for his alt/az 12" reflector back in the 1960 's in his garden in east grinstead . It consisted of two Halves of a shed like cover mounted on rails that slid away on either side of the scope . The shed was lower enough to not obstruct the view but still accommodate the telescope. You can see the design in some of his older books , maybe even on the net I haven't looked.
Philip
found a picture , here it is , im sure with todays materials somethig similar and cheap could easily be made:
Last edited by 5ash; 09-10-2011 at 06:17 PM.
Reason: addition of picture
Although my gear is inside an observatory the humidity can still get close to 100%, so I use a waterproof cover like a large sock that slips over from the top and pulls in tight with a draw-string around the pier. I put a few silica gel containers inside as well.
I am also going to make a simple humidity meter using one of these so that I can remotely monitor the moisture level especially when the gear is left for long periods (no doubt caused by excessive cloud cover). I'll post some details when I get it going.
Telegizmos make a 365 cover which is designed to sit outside 365 days a year and is waterproof and UV protected. Great stuff, not cheap but by far the best you can get.
Condensation is even a problem inside an observatory. I run a dehumidifier and still have condensate forming on the chilled mount during the winter months.
. I guess the Kettle BBQ cover was ok for the odd overnighter
. Thanks for the heads up Robin and David for what happens with continual overnighters.
