Jump to content

Narrowband

Rain Damage To Scope ?????


Recommended Posts

Just wondering with all this temperamental weather we are having.....

Should you be caught in a heavy shower of rain , or you leave your scope out whilst letting it cool down and get hit by a shower,

What sort of damage are we talking about?

I was intending to set up last night but we had several heavy showers over a 2 hr period , so I chickened out!!!.:cool:

Forecast is good for Friday, Saturday , so fingers crossed.

RTB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Getting dewed up during a nights observing/imaging is one thing, the scope getting drenched in a downpour is another.

It is wise to keep a tarp. handy whilst set up outside. Should a cloudburst occur, it's easy to quickly cover the outfit up. You can take it indoors after the rain stops, and it will still be dry. Well, relatively speaking:D

Ron.:cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Getting dewed up during a nights observing/imaging is one thing, the scope getting drenched in a downpour is another.

Not a lot different, really. Water is water, however it arrives.

As others have said, throw a tarp over the scope if it starts raining. Pay particular attention to keeping water out of the handset if you have one. Point the scope about 5 degrees nose down when leaving it, this will help delay dewing of the objective / corrector plate as well as keeping it dry if a shower occurs.

Never leave the handset lying on its back or face on a surface that might get flooded.

When you bring the scope in, fit the caps first, wait 5-10 mins to allow condensation to maximise then dry off (roughly) with an ordinary towel.

If I never went out when there was a risk of a shower, I'd not see much. Be sensible & enjoy the gaps between the clouds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi RTB.

A light shower hit a friends SCT whilst he left it cooling several years ago. He brought it in and left it C lens down to dry off. Within a couple of days he had mildew growing around one side of the corrector. Not a pretty sight.

Dave.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have taped a couple of silica gel pouches onto the inside of Protective caps for my scopes, I also have them inside a couple of "pierced" 1.25" caps with pouches in them and fit them in the focuser...

BBQ covers make good scope covers...

Peter....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just drill a small (maybe 1/4 inch?) hole through your primary mirror and the base of your tube. This will allow water to drain right out.

I don't see any grinning Smiley's, but I do hope you're kidding.:cool::D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use a Telegizmos cover for my 10" and EQ6 Pro. When there's gonna be a real storm or high winds I usually take down just the 10" tube and leave the mount covered (I havent needed to drift polar align since last year :-P). Used the telegizmos like this for 2 years with no problems. Even with tube mounted, the cover keeps the mount and controllers nice and dry inside and keeps things cool during hot summer days.

ps I use the standard version not the 24/7 one, they costs to much for my liking!

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.