What and when do you leave your equipment outside, I have an EQ6 on a tripod that I have sometimes left outside with a cover on, and just bring the OTA and electronics in, does anyone else do this?
I am a bit worried about the heat and/or damp cycles causing damage to the EQ6, but then if it was in a dome or roll off shed it would still get somewhat hot / or damp inside, is it much different to just have it covered?
I am in Perth so generally dry but gets hot in the summer days and damp in winter nights.
I have in the past done it both in anticipation of a lunar eclipse or other targets and post eclipse while sleeping in my yard in a tent for safetry of my equipment (scope in tent with me). I've always put a towel over the mount to absorb any condensation under a water proof cover and I live in a cold mountainous region (cold during winter).
I have not however left it out long term beyond a couple of nights. As for long term, I'll find that out if and when I get my pier in, hopefully before it turns into a 3" high pile of red dust.....
Longest I've left is < 1 week with a basic cover. But longest I've left inside an Octans Tent is 3 weeks although it did kill my grass .
Like Leo G., I think I'd like to build a pier and leave my mount outside at least and happy to carry my scope in/out on a weekly basis, and use a Telegizmos 365 for cover.
I think I'd like to build a pier and leave my mount outside at least and happy to carry my scope in/out on a weekly basis, and use a Telegizmos 365 for cover.
When I left mine outside I got a big plastic bin from Bunnings to put over the mount then put a plastic cover over that. I figured that it would both help some airflow around it and prevent any sharp corners (e.g. dovetail plate) from cutting thru my cover (I think I used a BBQ cover also from Bunnings), even if the cover leaked or came off the bin would keep the mount protected.
In Sydney, I leave my EQ6-R and 8” carbon newt outside all year with just an Orion scope cloak over it. Obviously I bring the imaging camera inside but I do leave the guide camera and guide scope fixed on the OTA so as not to lose calibration. I haven’t calibrated in PHD2 for nearly 2 years now and stlll guiding at 0.50 arc sec
No issues at all
However , I do lubricate the mount every 3 or 4 months with silicon spray to protect all the bolts , screws and stainless parts like tripod legs etc…
The newt gets taken off once a year to clean the mirrors.
I did replace the crappy cover screws on the mount with grade 316 stainless.
I also use a cane type feather duster to carefully clear cobwebs from inside the OTA. Can’t stop the spiders from setting up home in there.
This rig has been outdoors for over 3 years and still looks in good condition.
Temperatures in Summer 25 to 40 degrees
Wind , Rain and so on …..
Mounts are pretty resilient, but regular external lubrication / maintenance 👨*🔧 is the key to longevity
My pier mount I leave outside 365 and cover it extremely well with towels, bbq cover, 2 bin liners and telegismos over the top, today It even has a beach umbrella over that to keep the sun off.
The scopes come in and stay out at most for a week weather dependent.
I set up the scope when I expect a run of clear nights. If the chance of rain is basically zero I leave the scope set up; OTA, eyepieces and all. I put the caps on the scopes and eyepieces and leave the dew strips running (I use a 240V to 12V power supply). If there is a chance of a small amount of rain but then clearing for the next night I take the OTA inside and use a BBQ cover and plastic bags on the mount. If I won't be able to observe for a few days I take in the whole rig. I'd like to get the setup a bit more permanent but it's scarcely an issue atm: I've had one clear night since Sept.
I leave my EQ6-R mount outside in the backyard practically all of the time (chained to a nearby hedge), bringing it inside only if we're going to be away from home for more than a day or two. I leave it covered with a BBQ cover from Bunnings, which after 2+ years shows no sign of deterioration. I bring the OTA, battery and mini PC inside after each night's session; I live on a corner block so I'm a bit wary of leaving everything out during the day as the gear could be seen by prying eyes. At the moment with 39C temperatures in SW Sydney I've also covered the mount with a reflective car windscreen shield - can't hurt.
I left my eq6 r and losmandy g11 outside for 3 or 4 years straight... covered when not in use. Scopes and cameras came inside unless the weather forecast said it would be clear for days on end.
i am new to all this, and in my limited time, i just pack it up and put it away after each session.
I was going to get an AZ-eq6 but for the reason of weight and always packing up, i decided against it and went the wave 150i instead, and i can just pick up the whole rig and move it back into the shed easily. Though id like to have a permanent setup and have the wave for transporting
I leave the mount (AP1200GTO) outside all the time at the moment. I have it wrapped in a few layers - a towel, then Bunnings BBQ cover, then a Tarp. The worst I've found under the tarp so far has been a small frog.
The mount is too big to just "walk away" with, and people would need to know what they're looking at to show any interest. I've made a simple Power and Ethernet distribution point for the DEC head, so removing the scope is just 2 plugs and the saddle.
If i have the AM5 out, then I'll only leave it up during the day if I'm at home, otherwise i'll just bring the entire rig inside.
I have not been brave enough to leave anything outside yet.
It is a chore to setup and pack up, and limits my viewing. I plan to move my equipment to my shed a leave it setup in there. From there I will be able to wheel it to my viewing area to use more frequently.
I have a pier and mount outside permanently covered by a mylar scope cover and a Bunnings BBQ cover. I check it every few weeks for dew and ants (we have a big ant problem where I live and I've heard they love grease). I bring the scope in and out as I need it and leave it out if there's a run of clear nights.
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