Shed question

[Callisto75]

Hi all, hope you’re having a nice sunny day at home.  One of the key reasons I do it get enough observing in is the fact I have to lug my 10”Dob plus base from my house up to my elevated garden to get going. So I have decided to put a small 2ft x 2ft, maybe 2ft x 3ft shed in my garden so I am always ‘ready to go’. 
 

My concern is the ongoing condition of the scope and whether the tube or base will suffer from being in a shed. What measures have others taken to keep their external scopes in good condition? Is it best weather proofing more, or more ventilation? Or am I going to have to invest in a protective cover?

Any help and advice always appreciated.

Thanks, Lee. 

 

[Miguel1983]

Don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing keeping the humidity low will be a must ?

[symmetal]

You need to keep the shed well ventilated to avoid condensation forming during temperature changes. If the interior was fully sealed you would likelyneed a dehumidifier running to stop condensation forming.

Being well ventilated the air inside will be the same humidity as that outside so problems with damp or mould would need to be addressed. For my small roll-off shed which is well ventilated as the doors have a large gap down the hinge sides, I just have a 60W tube heater on the floor by the scope. Before using the heater the wooden shelves would show signs of mould after a while but since using the heater they are fine. It's thermostatically controlled so only comes on when the temperature drops so doesn't use too much power. It just keeps the interior a few degrees or so above the outside temperature so lower humidity.

Alan

[Callisto75]

17 hours ago, symmetal said:

You need to keep the shed well ventilated to avoid condensation forming during temperature changes. If the interior was fully sealed you would likelyneed a dehumidifier running to stop condensation forming.

Being well ventilated the air inside will be the same humidity as that outside so problems with damp or mould would need to be addressed. For my small roll-off shed which is well ventilated as the doors have a large gap down the hinge sides, I just have a 60W tube heater on the floor by the scope. Before using the heater the wooden shelves would show signs of mould after a while but since using the heater they are fine. It's thermostatically controlled so only comes on when the temperature drops so doesn't use too much power. It just keeps the interior a few degrees or so above the outside temperature so lower humidity.

Alan

Great tips, thanks so much. Mini heater seems to be the way to go. 🙂