Freezing temps and motors

[Johnboy]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with using GoTo motors in sub zero temps. We all know how to deal with cold optics, but I'm a bit afraid of using my scope in these cold conditions in case the motors freeze and causes any damage. Are the motors hardy enough to withstand hours of freezing temps without seizing up? Maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily but I thought I'd ask.

Cheers!

John

[siovene]

Hi John,

I have little experience but so far my HEQ5 has been doing alright at -16°C.

[beamish]

yup my mount has never been adversely effected by sub zero temps- so far been down to -10*/-11* C

[Ant]

The only real issue that I've heard off is the Synscan handsets slow down considerably when they get cold...

Apart from that the motors seem fine in the cold - designed for it I suppose...

Ant

[blinky]

Yeah, I used my at Kielder and it was -18 one night!

[siovene]

Yes, the controller's LCD screen is excruciatingly slow at cold temperatures, and the colder the slower, but that doesn't bother me much because I do everything via EQMod.

One thing you might want to be careful with, is USB extension cords. I have some 5 meter long ones, that fail when it's very cold, unless connected to a powered USB hub on the computer's side.

[Johnboy]

Thanks very much for the replies folks. I'll stop worrying and start enjoying!

Cheers.

John

[mike.brightmore]

My CPC 1100 lives outside in an unheated observatory all the time and has been used all night at -5 degrees. No problem with motors or electrics but last winter during a very cold spell I noticed that some of the lubricant from the primary mirror carriage had separated out and dripped onto the secondary mirror - lesson learned about storing the scope with the OTA horizontal or slightly above horizontal.

[m.tweedy]

The only real issue that I've heard off is the Synscan handsets slow down considerably when they get cold...

Ant

they do and if you have this problem get a handset heater

Kendrick Premier Telescope goto hand controller heater - Stay Focused

[Trevor-Austin]

Interesting, I always store ota facing down, off to move it now!

I have noticed my az motor becoming a little noisy in the extreme temps.

[brianb]

No problems with motors ... the handset display goes slow & dim at cold temps (keep the handet in a sock when not in use) and batteries can struggle to maintain current, certainly their capacity is well below that marked when the temperature falls below zero.

[brianb]

during a very cold spell I noticed that some of the lubricant from the primary mirror carriage had separated out and dripped onto the secondary mirror - lesson learned about storing the scope with the OTA horizontal or slightly above horizontal.

The grease seperation happens more frequently in high temps.

If you store the scope with the tube pointing up, seperated grease from the baffle tube will run across the primary mirror. Store the tube pointing down at about 45 degrees, so that the seperated grease will run down the baffle tube to the "top" end and then drip onto the inside of the tube, not the corrector plate or secondary mirror.