Leaving mount outside?

[Pryce]

I have my EQ6r pro set up outside, but I'm wondering if it's safe (electronics not theft) to leave it outside until tomorrow? 

 

Ive covered it with a tarp and theres no snow or rain on the forecast.

[rcwinter]

So long as it’s kept dry it should not be an issue,  

when we are at Kelling Heath kit is usually left out for the week with safety covering of course 

Just make sure you covering is secure , if it gets windy it will become like a kite and can tip over equipment 

seen that on more than one occasion , luckily not my own

Rich

Edited December 24, 2020 by rcwinter

[alan potts]

Mine was in an observatory though subject to long periods of damp and extreme cold for 3 years, I really think covered up it will not be a problems.

Alan

[AndyThilo]

Mine lives outside, I hang a wardrobe dehumidifier from the DEC clutch lever, then put a black plastic bag over it, then a Telegizmos 365 cover secured with a bungee. Seems ok. I do check on it regularly though. 

 

[Ouroboros]

Goodness! Wardrobe dehumidifiers! I had no idea such things existed. 

Edited December 24, 2020 by Ouroboros

[Pryce]

That is one nifty life hack! 

[Jiggy 67]

2 hours ago, AndyThilo said:

I hang a wardrobe dehumidifier from the DEC clutch leve

Fantastic idea, Just ordered some from Amazon, under a tenner for 10 so got to be worth a try. My mount and scope are more or less permanently outside under a TG cover. I’ve never had any major problems 

[newbie alert]

If using a tripod and some sort of cover most of the moisture will rise up from underneath, especially if setup on grass.. I used a breathable bbq cover for a few years without issues

[AndyThilo]

9 hours ago, newbie alert said:

If using a tripod and some sort of cover most of the moisture will rise up from underneath, especially if setup on grass.. I used a breathable bbq cover for a few years without issues

Yeah, I think as long as the cover is open a bit to air flow it’ll be fine. Worst that will happen will be the screws and counterweights rust. Stainless versions of both will solve that.

[AndyThilo]

14 hours ago, Jiggy 67 said:

Fantastic idea, Just ordered some from Amazon, under a tenner for 10 so got to be worth a try. My mount and scope are more or less permanently outside under a TG cover. I’ve never had any major problems 

These are what I use, last about a month or so.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HXV8NWW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_-Kr5FbSTZWYHH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[Pryce]

It's up and running boys and girls! 

 

That moment the first exposure was done and it showed up on the screen.  Oh my. Best feeling in the world