Would appreciate comments and opinions: should I keep the wall vent or seal

it in my new observatory (8x10 vinyl bldg. for 10"LX200), and is a
dehumidifier a good idea (or is small central lightbulb adequate)? Thanks.

Herb Reiher
Windsor, CT

I have used two LX200 now over several years here in the uk.Sixty per cent
of the year it rains. My scope is pier mounted in an external observatory
with a roll of roof.I have found it impossible to keep out moisture from any
thing.The moisture has never caused any scope,eyepiece,electrical or other
problems that I know of so far.The only pain is that sometimes when I take
the scope out during the day for solar observing I have to allow 15 minutes
in the sun for the scope (12 in LX200) to steam off.Yes steam comes out of
the edge of the corrector plate.If I put on the front filters of either my
Ha filter or thousand oaks type of filter assembly too early they fog up
just like they had been put in front of a boiling kettle. Very simply as
none of the optics of anything can be sealed as the temperature warms up the
air inside the scope or the eyepieces expands out of the units.As the
temperature drops again air is drawn back into the scope or eyepieces etc
etc and the water in the air comes in with it.I got around the fogged
eyepieces problems by placing them in a tin heated with a forty watt light
bulb.This is switched on hours before use.You can not heat the scope itself
other than a degree above ambient temperature to stop condensation on the
scope itself.In the winter my scope runs with condensed water and if the
temperature drops that becomes ice.I think that you are worrying a little
too much.

Brandon S. Jones

View index by [date] [author] [subject]
Previous message: Re: [M]: Wide field visual use of 12" LX-200, Bill Arnett
Next message: [M]: RE: Re: Eyepiece Projection, B. S. Jones
Next message in thread: RE: [M]: New observatory question, Renato