storage question ?

[shayne66]

Hi all, after having a play tonight with the telescope (200p Dob) i was wondering how other people go about packing theirs away for storage.

For now am looking at keeping mine in the kitchen to one side, having brought the telescope in tonight i noticed that the lenses steamed up straight away.

At this minute i have left the caps off to allow everything to come back to room temperature before placing the caps on. Is this the correct way ? Also is it ok to be stored vertical on it's base for long periods of time with the eye piece end towards the top ?

I like to look after my equipment the best I can too extend it's usage life, so thought i'd ask for info from the more experienced.

[carastro]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing.  I am not an experienced Dob user, but definitely sounds OK to me.

Carole 

[Astro Imp]

Basically you seem to be doing the right thing but am not sure the atmosphere in the kitchen is going to be conducive to keeping it clean. Think grease and damp laden.

[MarsG76]

basically I do the same.. I like to let my glass defog before packing it away.

[laudropb]

Would not advise storing in the kitchen for the reasons already mentioned. When letting the scope dry off I always leave it at an angle so that any water will not run down towards the mirror. Otherwise it is fine to leave it in the position you mention.

[Coastliner]

I've had mine for a while now and I keep it upright (as you do) in the garage, with a shower cap over each end to keep dust and spiders out. I also throw a dust sheet over it for good measure. Keeping it in the garage stops the condensation problem and also keeps the cooling down period shorter.

[shayne66]

thank's for the reply's, especially the kitchen one, bit stuck on where to store it now. Might have to look at putting it in the outhouse somewhere. I'd rather keep it in there then the shed.

[Charic]

I have kept mine in the kitchen since new, and its spotless.

It does require some protection though. Mine has shower caps, a white cotton sheet draped over the  whole system and then  further covered by an extended heavy duty clear plastic bag ( cut and taped to fit ).

Since December 2015 it now resides in a larder cupboard, purchased from B&Q, but is still covered, and there is ample room in the top section for  three shelves to store books, eyepieces ect.

Now that the Skyliner is "hidden" the Mrs no longer 'sees' it?

Note: I had to cut a small  notch in the bottom rear panel to accommodate the base plate ( did not check the internal dimensions properly before purchase?) and I think I might still be able to squeeze a 300P in there!. Not at the same time though, a replacement, should the opportunity arise?

[shayne66]

Might have to see how it goes, shower caps and a nice cover will help protect it at least for now.

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[scarp15]

I keep mine by the daughters piano

No prices as to guessing what gets used most in recent weeks,

[Coastliner]

Ah, this could be awkward. What if the OP hasn't got a piano?

[shayne66]

Deffo no piano, I have zero musical skills. Couldn't even hit a triangle in time or tune

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[scarp15]

Ah, this could be awkward. What if the OP hasn't got a piano?

Exactly, not sure what musical instrument a dob could be more usefully converted into, a tuba perhaps, though resembling more of a fog horn.