Meade warns not to store a scope in a closed car on a sunny day, so that
should give you an idea of where the upper limit is.
-John


>
>This is my first posting to a ListServe so I hope I am doing it right.
>
>I am the owner of a new 12" LX200 Classic. For the next year or two I will
>have to store the scope on a covered patio (out of direct sunlight). But, I
>live in Phoenix, Arizona and am somewhat concerned about the high
>temperatures we experience here. Can anyone give me advice on what is the
>maximum high temperature for storage of this scope? In the early afternoon
>during the months of June, July and August our air temperature can reach
>115 degrees F. Our record temperature was in 1991 when it reached 122
>degrees F.
>
>The specifications printed in the Meade Owners manual for this instrument
>list no temperature limits. I posted a query to the
>alt.telescopes.meade.lx200 NewsGroup and received some useful advice about
>grease for the gear trains---but no specific high temperature limit. I
>finally got through to Meade's help number and the nice lady, after she put
>me on hold to check with someone, told me Meade does not specify a high
>temperature. Her only advice was to use my "good sense". I have also
>searched through MAPUG with negative results.
>
>So with this background, and using my "good sense" I have decided on the
>following: I will use the "threshold of pain" (about 127 degrees F) as my
>criteria. If, during our hottest season, I am able to grasp, and hold on
>to, all parts of the telescope I will assume no harm is being done. If I
>cannot hold on the OTA or mounting then I will have to consider some means
>of cooling.
>
>This thinking behind this decision is: Even if the electonic parts are
>"consumer grade" they should not be damaged at 127 degrees F. I have no
>idea at what temperature the grease begins to flow, but assume it is above
>this temperature. My greatest concern (for lack of any knowledge) is the
>optical components. The glass, and coatings, should suffer no harm, but
>what about the mountings, focusing mechanisms, etc.?
>
>Because of our dusty environment, I plan to cover the complete OTA and
>mounting to exclude the dust. But this has the disadvantage of also
>restricting air movement and, thereby, any benefit from convection cooling.
>
>I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on this subject.
>
>Leon Schoenfeld

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