rathbaster
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/21/08
Posts: 575
Loc: East Bridgewater, MA
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Are there any such GEM mounts available?
So far I have found nothing about water resistant mounts with GOTO capability. (I am dubious about the possibility of actually finding such a thing)
If I can find them, we'll be mounting 8 of them outside on 4th floor decks which will be on either side of the new Bridgewater State College observatory (part of the new Science building they will be starting this summer)They will have to survive the crummy weather we get here on the south shore of Massachusetts.
Anyone know where I might look or inquire?
-Joe
Curator, BSC Observatory
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Bridgewater State College Observatory
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WarrenS
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 966
Loc: Orange County New York
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I never heard of such a thing. My Atlas stays outside covered by a heavy duty contractors trash bag underneath a Telegizmo 365 scope cover.
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Warren
Astro-Tech 127EDT
Celestron Onyx 80ED
Astro-Tech Field Flattener
C8 (circa 1983 Orange Tube)
Atlas EQ-G, Orion SSAG
Canon 135mm F2.8 Nikon 180mm F2.8 ED
Canon 40D, Astronomik CLS clip filter
Leica, Minolta binos
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rathbaster
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/21/08
Posts: 575
Loc: East Bridgewater, MA
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Quote:
I never heard of such a thing. My Atlas stays outside covered by a heavy duty contractors trash bag underneath a Telegizmo 365 scope cover.
I assume its had no problems as a result?
Are there problems with condensation under the cover? My boss would like to leave these out on piers permanently aligned and ready to receive their scopes. Four will be south facing and will be baked by the sun.
thanks
Joe
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Bridgewater State College Observatory
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Aquatone
member
Reged: 03/23/06
Posts: 87
Loc: Moraga, CA (Bay Area)
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I know that Astro-Physics AP900, 1200, and 3600 equatorial mounts are left outside continuously at the South Pole with some minor modification (different grease etc) and the standard (industrial grade) electronics can handle it. There are some pictures on their website. However in that location the water is solid!
I have also left my Astro-Physics mounts outside under cover for extended periods with no problems at all. Their mounts are extremely rugged and you may want to ask them for advice.
Chris
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Astro-Physics 160 EDF
Astro-Physics 10" Maksutov Cassegrain
Borg 77 ED
AP Mach 1.0 GTO
AP1200 GTO
Custom software development pipeline
Edited by Aquatone (04/17/09 12:14 PM)
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rathbaster
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/21/08
Posts: 575
Loc: East Bridgewater, MA
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Thanks, I'll do that 
-Joe
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Bridgewater State College Observatory
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Ian Robinson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/29/09
Posts: 1498
Loc: Gateshead.NSW Nth Coast,Austra...
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Quote:
I know that Astro-Physics AP900, 1200, and 3600 equatorial mounts are left outside continuously at the South Pole with some minor modification (different grease etc) and the standard (industrial grade) electronics can handle it. There are some pictures on their website. However in that location the water is solid!
I have also left my Astro-Physics mounts outside under cover for extended periods with no problems at all. Their mounts are extremely rugged and you may want to ask them for advice.
Chris
You realise it never rains at the South Pole (is the driest place on Earth).
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Aquatone
member
Reged: 03/23/06
Posts: 87
Loc: Moraga, CA (Bay Area)
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Sure I know - however check out the pictures of an AP1200 covered in ice... Anyway my point is that the mounts are incredibly rugged, built with industry grade - not consumer grade components, and can withstand climatic extremes.. The electronics module can certainly survive being soaked in dew regularly... (I know!)
Chris
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Astro-Physics 160 EDF
Astro-Physics 10" Maksutov Cassegrain
Borg 77 ED
AP Mach 1.0 GTO
AP1200 GTO
Custom software development pipeline
Edited by Aquatone (04/17/09 08:47 PM)
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DFEmery
super member
Reged: 05/09/08
Posts: 119
Loc: Maine
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Anyone had experience with an Atlas or Sirius mount permanently outside (that is, protected by some appropriate waterproof covering)?
Frankly, I can't imagine a manufacturer ever agreeing that this is OK... but it would solve a BIG problem for me if I could get away with it.
--Dave Emery
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Bob Myler
sage
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 297
Loc: St Louis, MO
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Joe: You raise an interesting question. Scopes routinely used in heavy dew conditions would certainly benefit from having such a feature. How difficult would it be to manufacture a weather-resistant - or fully water proof - mount; or perhaps "harden" an existing unit as part of some after-market "Super Tune" service?
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5" AP StarFire on Dobbins mount
10" Custom Dynascope on HD Criterion mount
12" LightBridge - extensively moded
Meade ETX90EC w/Autostar
Fujinon 6X30 FMTR-SX
8' Exploradome w/Bay Extension
18 various eyepieces/barlows
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