You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar

Telescope Specific Forums >> NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Pages: 1 jerwin professor emeritus Reged: 05/17/12 Loc: Romeoville IL Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside?       #5289265 - 06/25/12 10:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just purchased a wedge for my cpc1100 to increase my shutter time with my digital camera. The 1100 is a beast enough in itself to setup every night, I fear the wedge will greatly increase that. So I was thinking of leaving it outside during the summer and maybe into the fall. Only bringing it in if I know of storms approaching or whatnot. If I throw a tarp over it, and figure out a way to keep it from blowing over if a sudden wind comes up, are there any concerns I should be aware of with heat or humidity? I'm in the Chicago area. Heat has been flirting with the mid 90's and I'm sure it will get hotter. I have a cement slab in my yard that I've been placing it on. Should I rethink that in favor of the dirt if it did fall over or should I just assume a fall is going to break it no matter where I stage it? Any suggestions (shy of a fixed dome) on how to anchor it down? Thanks guys, Jim Post Extras:       brianb11213 Postmaster Reged: 02/25/09 Loc: 55.215N 6.554W Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5289563 - 06/26/12 04:57 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I don't think the electronics in the CPC1100 are going to like being drenched in condensation, which would be inevitable if left out under a tarp in my climate. Strong heating (bright sunlight) is also going to melt the grease. Be very sure to park the scope with the tube angled downwards at 45 degrees (not vertically) if you want the grease to run down the inside of the tube rather than contaiminating the main mirror or the corrector plate. Insects & spiders seem to have a way of getting into apparently sealed tubes left outside, or even stored in an observatory. May not be a major issue but does need to be considered. Personally I wouldn't. Unlike more expensive scopes, I don't think the CPC series was intended to be left parked outside. As for blowing over: yes, it's going to break. But, if you sink large eyes into a solid concrete base and place lots of tightish bungee cords or a strop of the sort used to tie down loads on a flatbed truck through them and round the lower "spider" of the CPC tripod, it's not going to blow over in any wind that I can conceive of, and (with due respect to Chicago's "windy city" tagline) I think I know something about wind: we get 80 mph storms most winters and 100 mph+ is far from unknown. Post Extras:       rmollise Postmaster Reged: 07/06/07 Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: brianb11213]       #5289643 - 06/26/12 07:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Depends. If you live in a dry area out west, it's fine to do this, as long as you put a good tarp over the scope to keep dust out. Otherwise? I would strongly counsel against it. By fall your scope will be a rundown home of the six and eight legged set and connectors and other electrical components will be a corroded mess. Post Extras:       MikeBOKC Post Laureate Reged: 05/10/10 Loc: Oklahoma City, OK Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: rmollise]       #5289816 - 06/26/12 09:59 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Three words: Bugs, spiders, birds. Post Extras:       mclewis1 Thread Killer Reged: 02/25/06 Loc: New Brunswick, Canada Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: MikeBOKC]       #5290094 - 06/26/12 12:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim, Instead of a plain tarp I'd look into a Telegizmo 365 scope cover and some dew/moisture prevention (fans for air circulation, dri rods (Scopestuff is one source) or a small incandescent bulb as a heater). It's possible but you really need to think through all the issues (protection from all the different weather options, moisture, insects, etc.). A form of pier would make for a more stable platform. A concrete pier and top plate would be the strongest and cheapest route. It's also easier to seal a scope cover around a pier than a tripod. Edited by mclewis1 (06/26/12 12:57 PM) Post Extras:       HeyJP sage Reged: 12/11/10 Loc: Boulder, CO Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: mclewis1]       #5290109 - 06/26/12 01:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've used the Telegizmo 365 on my Celestar 8 for blocks of 2-4 weeks in spring, summer, or fall with no apparent ill effects. The Telegizmo is designed for full-time outdoor use. I live in Colorado, so humidity is just something you read about. I use a double covering: a Scopecoat nice and tight first (nylon only), then cover the whole thing with the Telegizmo and since up the cords nice and tight around the base. Nice to not have to polar align every night! Jim Post Extras:       jetsfan122 sage Reged: 07/17/09 Loc: Massapequa,Long Island,New Yor... Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: HeyJP]       #5290889 - 06/26/12 11:15 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I had my CPC 800 permanently setup on my deck for 2 years without any issues here in Long Island, NY . I placed an oversized garbage bag directly over the scope then a Telegizmos 365 cover over the the entire assembly . I also covered the tripod by wrapping a tarp around it and securing it with bungee cords as rust will develop on the tripod when exposed to rain . I always brought the HC inside . Here on Long Island we are subject to hot humid summers and frigid winters and never had any issues at all, even in blizzard like conditions . If I went a week without using the scope though, I would always uncover it just to "air it out". Im not sure if the CPC 1100 is susceptible to falling over from heavy winds though . My scope always held up in windy conditions. Post Extras:       A. Viegas sage Reged: 03/05/12 Loc: New York City/ CT Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5290909 - 06/26/12 11:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I asked this same question about two months ago. I agree with Heyjp and Jets poster,,insofar covered outside can work. My solution so far has been to use a basic Telegizmo cover for the telescope rig for a few days like a weekend so far. My plan going into the summer when I plan to have more time is to leave my CPC 1100 tripod outside and bring in the OTA and put that in the JMI case. my other rig, C8/Celestar on CG5 I'm thinking I will leave outside maybe a week or two at a time if observing conditions merit and cover with another Telegizmo equatorial cover i have ( standard non 365 cover). I do not intend to leave the two rigs outside for more than a week, maybe max two (only if conditions merit). I have dessicant packs in the SCT visual back and inside the Corrector cover, to protect against moisture. Overall my soluion is maybe only 25% what you may need... But it's a safe compromise I think... Al Post Extras:       jerwin professor emeritus Reged: 05/17/12 Loc: Romeoville IL Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: A. Viegas]       #5290972 - 06/27/12 12:51 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Does anyone know if the Telegizmo covers will work once I have the wedge installed, or will that put it slightly cockeyed. The pictures I see online look like none of the scopes have a wedge. I do appreciate all your advice. I'll probably test it out in a few stages. Start by leaving it out over the weekend if I know I'll be able to use it, and baby it a little to make sure it does get infested. Really just want to avoid the polar alignment every night. I like the desiccant pack idea just as a little extra protection at night. Post Extras:       dragonslayer1 sage Reged: 02/25/12 Loc: SLC, UT Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5291234 - 06/27/12 09:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   http://www.astrotarp.com/index.html this is another site you might want to check out Post Extras:       btieman scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/24/08 Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5292152 - 06/27/12 08:12 PM Attachment (30 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Does anyone know if the Telegizmo covers will work once I have the wedge installed, or will that put it slightly cockeyed. Jim, where-abouts in Chicagoland? I used to live about 80 miles south west of Chicago (moved to KC about a year ago) I can say for a fact that it is 100% possible to leave a CPC1100 on a wedge out in Illinois year round Mine sat outside under a telegizmos 365 cover for almost 2 years straight. It's been under 2 feet of snow, temperatures well below freezing and over 100 degrees, numerous thunderstorms and a nearby tornado! I have all the wiring from the cameras, focusers, etc...brought off the OTA to the spanner under the tripod. All that wireing and electronics stayed on the scope. I had long extension cords that I pulled out when I was using the scope. Those would even stay hooked up if it wasn't snowing/raining. All that said, you do have think about what you're doing. I use my scope a lot. I logged over 1000 observing hours over that 2 year span. Since the scope was used frequently, there were lots of of oppertunities to "shake the cob-webs out. If we were in a long cloudy spell, I'd sometimes take the cover off just to make sure nothing was nesting in there I also would never put the cover on while the scope was covered in dew or frost. If it was wet in the morning, I left it uncovered if I could until it dried out. I don't advocate anyone storing their expensive equipment outside like I did! There are very real dangers!!! However, I bought my equipment to be used and I found it got used most when it was set-up and aligned. If I was carefull when putting on/removing the cover so that it didn't catch on anything (it's a bit tricky at times--easier in the winter when it's stiff from the cold!) I could go months without having to realign. I had nights in the winter when I'd walk in the door at 6PM after work and be imaging by 6:15! If you do go the telegizmos 365 route, give them a call about the correct size to get. I think mine was actually a 16" dob cover and it fits nicely over the scope as you can see in the picture. Brian Post Extras:       A. Viegas sage Reged: 03/05/12 Loc: New York City/ CT Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5292416 - 06/27/12 10:43 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I recommend you get the equatorial GEM cover. I went this route because I read so many posts about the CPC dripping grease on the corrector when pointing down... I think I ordered the 12" size GEM cover... Fits the CPC 1100 great in horizontal position. For the wedge, I'd get the larger one, 14" GEM cover maybe... Got mine from scope stuff. Good price, free and fast shipping... Al Post Extras:       jerwin professor emeritus Reged: 05/17/12 Loc: Romeoville IL Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: A. Viegas]       #5292484 - 06/27/12 11:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Brian, I'm in Romeoville, just north of Joliet. I probably wouldn't leave it out year round, but I'd like to get more time on her than I'm currently getting, and I think removing the setup and tear down is the key. Did you fasten anything to anchor the legs to the ground? I need to pick my deck chairs off of the lawn every once in a while so I know some wind hits me from time to time. The mount, wedge, and OCA weigh well over a hundred pounds, so I'm probably ok, just hate to think about my expensive toy laying busted on the ground when I get home from work on day. I'll give Telegizmo a call and see what they size recommend. Thanks again guys. Jim Post Extras:       btieman scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 07/24/08 Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: jerwin]       #5292808 - 06/28/12 07:56 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I used to work in Darien...lived much further south in Streator. No tie downs. I don't think I could have pushed the thing over had I tried. It was on grass and did settle in pretty well. I too started with just wanting to leave it out for a few days at a time...but that digressed to just bringing it in for a few days at a time! I would bring it in once in a while to work out a new optical train. The next clear night it would go right back out. Again, use good judgement. Mitigate all the risks you can. Even so, something bad may still happen but that's true of carrying the heavy beast around each night as well! Post Extras:       Raginar Carpal Tunnel Reged: 10/19/10 Loc: Rapid CIty, SD Re: Any Concerns leaving my cpc1100 outside? [Re: btieman]       #5299568 - 07/02/12 06:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'd recommend some anchors :P Post Extras:       Pages: 1

Previous   Index   Next   Threaded

Extra information 0 registered and 5 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator:  BRisley  Print Thread Forum Permissions       You cannot start new topics       You cannot reply to topics       HTML is disabled       UBBCode is enabled Thread views: 1327 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info

CN Forums Home