How much rain can an EQ6 survive?

[laser_jock99]

I discovered this morning that the high winds on Thursday had ripped off the BBQ cover I keep over my HEQ6 & tripod (not ideal I know). So the thing has been stood outside in a fair bit of rain. The protective bowl over the polar scope was full of water but there didn't appear to be much in the stepper motor / PCB housing.

Anyway the mount is now stripped down and drying in front of warm fan. Do you think it will survive this experience?

[JamesF]

Presumably it was without power at the time, so as long as it's properly dried out I don't think there should be any long-term damage. A week or so in an airing cupboard might be a good plan, to get rid of any water that's got trapped somewhere inaccessible.

James

[The Sailor]

Had this problem when rain got in through the sliding roof, brought it indoors and left it in the warmth, been good since.

Jim

[E621Keith]

Sorry to hear what happened. I hope your mount will survive.

May be it will be a good idea to strip down, re-grease and re-oil the inside.

[perfrej]

I would strip it down completely, actually! When I did mine I found plenty of corrosion on and in the bearings themselves, and that's from a mount that was never drenched and had been in service only 14 months.

Electronics shouldn't be a problem, though ;-)

/per

[laser_jock99]

Pleased to report the HEQ6 is re-assmbled and seems to be working fine- hardy mounts these are, still working after 2 days outside in flood rains!!

Set up mount in the garage did a dummy 3 star alignment and then did the 'Sky Tour'. Made no more noise than usual so I think it's okay.

[Sam]

Lucky it's all working, I bet you are pleased. What a relief!

[Martin-Devon]

There's some quite 'professional' looking scope/mount covers available nowadays as well - these would be more durable & robust than a BBQ cover, may be worthwhile to take a look at these. Sounds like you're out of the woods though with the mount, so that's good news!

[Keiran]

Thats good to hear, Maybe a better cover or a better way of tying it down is needed.... Glad to here its okay though

[laser_jock99]

Thats good to hear, Maybe a better cover or a better way of tying it down is needed.... Glad to here its okay though

Tying it down would have been a good idea........we live & learn!

[Daniel-K]

good news that jock close shave

[The Sailor]

I have my CG-5 GT out on a homemade tripod made from 2" scaffolding, been there over the last six months covered up, I check it once a month running it through all the axis, works well .

Jim