Using dew straps without controller

[tooth_dr]

I've been using two dew-not straps on my two 80mm refractors, plugged via the phono connectors, into a 12v power supply.

Should I be using a dew controller?

 

thanks

adam. 

[Dr_Ju_ju]

As you have it, they will run "full on" all the time, and will likely get things too hot, and has the potential to drain you power source (batteries ?) quicker ....  using a simple controller(s) will give you more flexibility.

There are Arduino controlled ones and what I use, the cheap LED dimmers from the bay.

[DRT]

I'm sure I read somewhere that you should use a controller with any scope that is smaller than 10" aperture to avoid overheating. I don't use a controller on my C11.

[tooth_dr]

Thanks. I guessed as much. They do get quite hot. 

 

@Dr_Ju_ju would you be able to link one in case I get the wrong one. Many thanks. 

[Dr_Ju_ju]

I use these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Light-Protect-Lamps-Strip-Dimmer-Adjustable-Bright-Controller-12V-24V-8A-XG-/112344774695?hash=item1a28453827:g:x2kAAOSwo4pYJE0c 

They can easily be removed from the case & bolted into another case to suit your needs. I use them in pairs for multiple dew strips

[tooth_dr]

10 minutes ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

I use these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Light-Protect-Lamps-Strip-Dimmer-Adjustable-Bright-Controller-12V-24V-8A-XG-/112344774695?hash=item1a28453827:g:x2kAAOSwo4pYJE0c 

They can easily be removed from the case & bolted into another case to suit your needs. I use them in pairs for multiple dew strips

Super. So one per dew strap?

[Alan White]

Adam, I use the same led dimmer as control for my heaters on my ed100, make control easy and for once in astronomy, cheap.

Transfered into a marlins small adaptable box.

[tooth_dr]

2 minutes ago, Alan White said:

Adam, I use the same led dimmer as control for my heaters on my ed100, make control easy and for once in astronomy, cheap.

Transfered into a marlins small adaptable box.

That's fantastic looking Alan. Did you take photos of the build as you did it? I'd like to see the wiring if you have photos!

[spaceboy]

Yes or as Dr Ju suggested....re-box them 

Alan beat me to it

[Dr_Ju_ju]

That's the way I use them, but I've fitted dual outputs i.e. 

[Alan White]

Adam, sorry no photos as I went, just a rebox and some soldering involved, I am not a electronics wiz, just a diy person.

Did it in a couple of hours, nice and slow, lots of online examples of led dimmer controllers if you google away.

It really is easy.

Julians above is far neater inside than my effort.

[tooth_dr]

Thanks guys. Plenty of info for me to go ahead and do this now. Cheers again, great forum saved me £££.

[LightBucket]

57 minutes ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

That's the way I use them, but I've fitted dual outputs i.e. 

Those aren't the same dimmer controller PCB's as linked to above, where is the green wiring block ?  but they look better so where did you get those from....?

[Dr_Ju_ju]

They are the same, I just un-soldered the blocks and replaced it with the red\black wires

[LightBucket]

33 minutes ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

They are the same, I just un-soldered the blocks and replaced it with the red\black wires

Ah, ok....makes sense I guess, more secure and much neater...

[tooth_dr]

Ordered all the bits bar a box. Can anyone provide me with dimensions of the black units above and if possible the actual white dimmer single boxes before taken apart!

The dimmers are coming from china at £1.49 including postage so a few weeks wait  I'd like to have box ordered at same time if possible  

 

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Something like this should be ok http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/small-plastic-box-black-114x76x38mm-lh14q

[Alien_Photons]

I have two strips and no controller the scope never gets hot and I never get dew. Making one is a nice project add in a thermometer with red leds while your at it.

[tooth_dr]

4 hours ago, Alien_Photons said:

I have two strips and no controller the scope never gets hot and I never get dew. Making one is a nice project add in a thermometer with red leds while your at it.

Sounds nice. How would I go about doing that?

[Alien_Photons]

12v from maplins google them maybe a￡5.

[tooth_dr]

Gonna take a look at this today. The outputs appear to be wired in series, is this correct? Or better in parallel.  Do I want same voltage or sane current?