Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Technical => Topic started by: Whitters on Jan 13, 2020, 23:53:57

Title: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Whitters on Jan 13, 2020, 23:53:57
Crikey! my ID still works. Hi to those who remember me...

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good Dehumidifier for use in an observatory, will need to deal with cold - If it ever gets cold again and to run 24x7.

Thanks & all the best

Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Carole on Jan 14, 2020, 08:59:08
I use the DIO (Dry It Out) Dehumidifier.  The company owner is an amateur astronomer and I have had good support in the past when I needed it once, Mine is like the £129 version and works in the cold, dries out the obsy really well. 

Don't know how you've managed without one Paul.

https://www.dry-it-out.com/dry/observatories.html

Carole
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: ApophisAstros on Jan 14, 2020, 10:35:50
Quote from: Whitters on Jan 13, 2020, 23:53:57
Crikey! my ID still works. Hi to those who remember me...

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good Dehumidifier for use in an observatory, will need to deal with cold - If it ever gets cold again and to run 24x7.

Thanks & all the best
I dont recognise you but hi and welcome back ,im reminded me of when i used to be a Relief Manager and used to go to West Witttering , we used to say going to whitters!
Roger
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Rick on Jan 14, 2020, 12:26:37
Quote from: Whitters on Jan 13, 2020, 23:53:57
Crikey! my ID still works. Hi to those who remember me...

Hiya. *waves from the Cotswolds*

I suspect the ex-Chairman's cat's account may still be around, too...
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Whitters on Jan 14, 2020, 18:03:23
Hi Carole, thank you for that, I'll take a look at that one.

Roger, Nice to meet you via forum

Hi Rick, yes I did see that Oscar still had a presence, sadly he won't be posting any new forum notes.
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: The Thing on Jan 15, 2020, 17:32:26
Hi Paul!

My obsy just has gaps for air flow, not all intentional. Was the obsy with the two level fold out roof your one? You could always take a hole saw to it  :surprised:

Duncan
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Whitters on Jan 17, 2020, 07:29:58
Hi Duncan,
Yep that's the one. Most of the time it's nice 'n snug it has a bit of air flow around it and is mostly dry. The Obsy is on posts so it also has a gap under the floor so gets air all round. However this winter has been so bad.If i'v been out observing (Ha Ha what chance have we had since September) when we have hit the dew point and the mount and scope are dew'd up on the outside then shut up the roof if still takes a while to dry it all out. That's when I need something to help dry things out.
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: The Thing on Jan 17, 2020, 08:10:52
Dew heaters on the mount and ota all the time or on a timer. I tend to leave all my stuff on all the time to keep the moisture at bay, there is a stream 20ft away so the ground is always damp, so my obsy floor is 1m off the ground.
Title: Re: Dehumidifiers For Observatories - Any Suggestions
Post by: Carole on Jan 17, 2020, 10:01:36
Personally with English weather I don't think it is worth taking the risk of not having a dehumidifier.  My Obsy gets very damp inside if I don't use it, of course it doesn't help that I have a small leak at one of the pivots.  I catch most of it in a bucket, but there is always a bit on the floor too where it must miss. 

1 hour with the dehumidifier on and it'a all dried out.  I definitely don't leave cameras in the obsy without the dehumidifier being on in the winter months. 

Carole