Simple DIY - Dew Heater for Newton Telescope [5$]
Вставка
- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Hey folks
I was using my telescope imaging the other night and it was my first try with NINA a sequential and imaging program for astrophotography. Shortly after midnight my graphs for automatic focus control were all over the place and sure enough I got dew on my secondary mirror.
So I got my stuff together & soldered 8 resistors into a chain, made a loop and wrapped everything into isolating black tape. Did it work? Just watch this video :-)
Clear Skies!
-Chris
Improvisation at its best
As you’re using a USB for your power source, you could write a simple sketch for an Arduino to control it.
Great idea, I'll give it a thought! Thanks.
Thanks for another magic. If you don't already have a good light next to you, I wish you a gentle photon :) ~
😉 thanks
I made something similar on my scope few months ago. I used telflon sheet, as stelleton, then stitch it through with resistance wire. Next I sticked it with thermo-conductive glue to the secondary mirror. Finally I connected it to LED dimmer, so it is adjustable. In my sites I rarely can observe without it.
Cool idea with the dimmer, thanks for your insights :-)
Cheers and clear skies!
I always use a dew shield to prevent due on my mount. Humidity here is usually at 80% each clear night so it does work a treat.
Great, thank you! It's sometimes a bit windy here so the dew shield will increase wind instability.... But otherwise it's a fair option. Cheers!
You can get hot air currents causing artifacts in your imaging. I just fit a dew shield which deals with any dew just fine.
Thanks for your reply! A dew-shield works just fine until up until a given angle. If my scope points directly to the zenith I fear dew will find me anyway.
I have compared the FHD during my first sessions and until now I can't see any increase. During planetary I plan to deactivate the heater for your mentioned reason though.
Clear skies!
Where did you buy the resistors?
What is the name of connecting wire (I can’t make out what you call it) and where did you buy it?
Hey Henry!
The resistors are just off-the-shelf 1W +/-5% resistors you get in every electronic store. Or look at bundles at "common online marked places with worldwide dominance". You'll get hundreds for some bucks.
The yellow wire is 0.22mm2 LiY I bought from Conrad... Anyway: take what's available, it doesn't matter. Maybe be smarter than me and go with two core cables.
Than take any old USB cable you can find. No need for something special.
Clear skies!!
You can order them online as well from Mouser or DigiKey if you don’t have an electronics components store nearby. As to wire, it’s just lead wire. Around a 16 size should do it.
You could use enamel coated wire for an even lower profile for the cable.
Good thinking! The wires are super thin though so there is not much obstruction. Either way it's better than dew on the mirror 😂🪞
As you said simple and does the job.
Yes, thanks! I like the solution as it's easy and gets the job done. If I ever switch to raspberry pi for controlling the mount I'll add another batch of sensors to turn on/off the dew heater accordingly.
Ｐｒⓞм𝕠𝕤𝐌 ❣️
😉