Here is my new scope cover!

(5) plastic trash bags, (1) vinyl picnic table cloth, (8) clothes pins, (1) 12x12 clear visqueen doubled up and (1) 10' rope...

Actually my OTA's are dry and cozy inside, but my EQ-6 is mounted on the pier! I hope I don't need a boat for the next imaging session...

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Clear Skies-Larry

That looks familar to me. For years and years when we were still in Greenwood, I had a permanent mount on the dam of our pond. The scope stayed out all winter. If I did that where I live now someone would steal it! I did learn to make sure you have room for the cover to breath. It will sweat with the first sun. I guess it would be stupid to ask if the skys were clear Friday morning where you live.

Here is an idea.........(I have two, myself, for extended Star Parties) Webber Smoker/Bar-B-Q Grill Covers......About 40" X 40" with a tie string, made from fairly heavy black vinyl and less than $20.00, from Walmart...

With I could find a cover this size made out of silvered "Space Blanket"

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nSpace01

I could see it sweating up in there, if the sun ever comes out again.

I just need to put some walls up, a roof over it and be done.

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Clear Skies-Larry

So -

You could call this your "Fold-Up Roof" observatory, huh? You may want to try putting some dessicant in a container inside the cover to remove the moisture.

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Dave - Morrow, AR

Yup, I am having major condensation problems... How long does dessicant last and how much would I need? It will be some time before I have a roof over it, but I want to keed the EQ-6 mounted if possible. I struggle with good (imaging) polar alignment and I'd hate to start from scratch every session.

Thanks,

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Clear Skies-Larry

OK Leonard I've set myself up again, so give it your best shot...

Went down to our local big box store and purchased a 44 gal. and a 32 gal. rubber trash can. It definetnly looks better than the Hillbilly Dump Station look... I just hope it does a better job keeping my goodies dry.





Baptism by fire... I'ts raining again!

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Clear Skies-Larry

Looks pretty cool...........now you will have to deal with flies an knats in warm weather.................:-)

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nSpace01

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Hey Larry - Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The Rubbermaid Observatory is a pretty cool idea! I'd still opt for some dessicant in there, though. 400 grams ought to do you well. Here's a place you can get it fairly cheap:

Midway USA

What I'd suggest is that you start with about 400 grams and monitor it. When it appears to be saturated enough to need recharging, you'll know If it needs recharging too often or not. Then just get more until you get to where you are comfortable with the recharge frequency.

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Dave - Morrow, AR

I'm currently bidding on 2- 625 gram bags cheep on e-bay. Would 625 grams hurt anything?

After about 24hrs of non-stop rain, I lifted the lid off to see if it did it's job and the mount was bone dry. I'm curious to see what happens in there when the sun bakes it a little, should have an idea tomorrow.

Here is another pic of the Rubbermaid Observatory with pungee cords holding it down. You can't see it from this angle, but on the opposite side is another cord.

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Clear Skies-Larry

Larry - I don't see any problem with using 625 grams. That will just make it last longer, I would think. I agree you wion' really know about the moisture problem until you get some sunshine on it and see what happens inside when it heats up.

Good luck!

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Dave - Morrow, AR

"Rubbermaid Observatory" You may have a Marketable Idea..........Buy the trash cans at walmart then resell them on ebay as "RAin Proof Telescope EnclosuRes" i.e., " RAPTER Covers " .

I've read in several astro websites about how you can get dessicant from Pharmacies.............Drugs are packed in it to protect them from moisture.......They probibly just throw it away.................

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nSpace01

"RAPTER Covers..." That is very clever Leonard, too cool!

When I got home this afternoon, I was eager to see if there were any signs of moisture inside the "Rubber Dome" and I'm very pleased to annouce that there were absolutely no signs of any condensation what so ever. After about 30hrs. of non-stop rain, not a drop anywhere, not even on the inside walls of the cans themselves! This could change in the summer time though, the sun is lower right now and with cooler temps. the "Rubbermaid Observatory" is spending more and more time in the shade cooling off... But I think I'll be ready when the hot and humid dog days of summer return. I was the winning bidder of nearly 3lb. of rechargable desiccant for $17.00 delivered...

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Clear Skies-Larry