I am looking to buy a C11 or C14 but understand they take too long to cool down.
Looking at Paul Haese way of cooling a C14 http://paulhaese.net/peltierstoSCT.html
Looks amazing, anyone know where to get parts and what costs are?
I just went it at start if I need to cool it in winter. I've made something like a cat-cooler but it pushes the air through the whole OTA (goes out by screw holes close to the finder). The temperature is quite stable so when cooled it stays cooled.
Jaycar should have a few also altronics. Pretty easy to use just make sure you test before sticking onto your camera as a heads up You could even google up controllers for one which would help you save on the battery.
Petr, I think all up it cost me 40 or 50 dollars in parts. Expect to pay a little more if you want better coolers, fans and heat sinks. Nothing more than 100 dollars though.
Best of luck with the conversion. Ask me any questions you might have. I am more than happy to help.
I've been toying with the idea of cooling the 10" Meade LX200 ACF OTA.
Has anyone every attempted one of these?
I usually store it outside, but in Mudgee the temp can drop from 20°C during the day down to the negatives at night, and in the summer it can be 45 in the day and under 20 in the evenings, so I reckon I'd get some benefit from cooling.
I have't pulled the Meade apart before, I have stripped the C8 down multiple times, hopefully it is a similar level of difficulty.
Anyone have any traps to watch out for, other than marking the front corrector plate for correct replacement?
Not stripped a Meade down but be mindful of the mirror lock mechanism. Try emailing Lester, he has stripped an LX200 before, he might be able to give you some insight.
You could even google up controllers for one which would help you save on the battery.
