Storing outside

[glennbech]

I am thinking of letting my HEQ5 Pro mount stand outside throughout the winter. It has been outside since may already and it does not complain much. I have one of those large hoods used to protect those large, expensive gas BBQs over it.

Im not 100% sure that I will take the chance. How would it cope with -10 degrees celcus? (below freezing point)? It must of course operate under these conditions as I will use it in loong sessions this winter. But permanent storage? The only trouble that comes to mind is humidity....

What do you think? Would you take it inside?

[George]

My setup although in an observatory is at ambient temperature all the time and does not complain. Providing its kept dry and the optics free from moisture it should be OK.

[Kai]

My 5pro is left outside pretty much all year on my pier , it is covered over but i have not had any problems yet.

[Andrew*]

I haven't had any problems with either of my mounts (previously HEQ5, now EQ6) outside. We've had crazy gale force winds here yesterday. I got very anxious that my set-up was goign to topple over, what with the extra surface area afforded by the cover. It's all good - it stood the storm no problem.

It hasn't actually seen a proper winter yet, but I can't imagine there will be a problem provided it's kept well covered.

But then again I am using a very fancy cover - TeleGizmo 365...

Andrew

[beamish]

Mine's outside too and has been since the pier was built, covered over in a large rubble bag then the whole lot is wrapped in strong tarpaulin and a rubber bungee collared around the pier to keep it all in place !- been fine !!

Karlo

[greenkat]

Hi everyone

I've been a bit reluctant to leave my HEQ5Pro outside on my pillar with it being nice and shiney and quite expensive, but reading that it should be alright outside i'm now having second thoughts as it is quite a pain lugging it out everytime to set up.

What would be the best thing to cover the mount up with to protect it?

Dont forget, a picture says a thousand words, so get ya cameras out and give us some ideas

Cheers

Greenkat

[beamish]

Here you go !

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Karlo

[MikeP]

Its ET in a plastic mac.

Mike

[Tiny]

I watched a video of Damien Peach who left his scopes outside as they are just tools and doing that meant the cooldown time was zero.

[iancandler]

I had my old motorised CG5 outside all last autumn and winter and this spring with a telegizmo 365 cover on it.. no problems at all.. but then the cover is designed for that use..

[beamish]

Its ET in a plastic mac.

Mike

Very funny Mike :D

Now you mention it

I watched a video of Damien Peach who left his scopes outside as they are just tools and doing that meant the cooldown time was zero.

Umm, I guess he's gonna be around most of the time and security will be pretty good ! I don't mind the mount but draw the line at the scopes-much easier to remove !

Karlo

[glennbech]

This is great guys. I feel a lot better now. Thank you so much for the user stories

The upside of leaving it outside is just so great. I'll post some pics of my setup later; I have now done a small trick and have access to most of the southern sky. (read; on top of garage!).... I hope my neighbours won't complain. Maybe I'll drop them a line the mailbox with the heart nebula on it just in case....

[Keagle]

I'm tempted to leave mine out over the winter then after reading through this.

Thanks guys!

Kurt

[The Warthog]

I have left my scope and my mount outside, covered, when the forecast doesn't call for snow or rain, and in my shed at temperatures between +35 and -30, without ill effect.

[rusirius]

Wondered about the crime angle myself beamish and whether it would be still covered under the household (or for that matter any) insurance?

[beamish]

It's a case of just doing what you can. Unless Bertie Burglar has the correct size spanner on him and is prepared to take the time and risk, then I feel pretty confident about leaving the mount out there (bearing in mind the shear weight of it all)-scopes however -NO WAY !! :nono:

Karlo

[themos]

I've started to leave my EQ1 (I know, I know) outside. I hope to improve the polar alignment every time I use it.

[glennbech]

I have now put my mount on top of the garage (!) and climb a ladder (or out of a window) to get "into" my new observatory. 360 vision(!) I spend last night polar aligning with WCS and the forecast says all clear 'til 03:00. My "rooftop observatory" will hopefully get firs light this evning .-)

For my newtonian I'm going to get myself one of those big boxes to store pillows and such for outside furniture .-)