Telescope Reviews: Orion XT10i and COLD COL

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Reflectors

Pages: 1

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

#5536794 - 11/24/12 08:35 AM

There are times when I use the COL out in the cold and the LCD 'acts' up.
I have built a 'COL' heater with 5 parallel 276 ohm wire-wound resistors.
Works with a 9V battery and should work with a converted battery pack from a metal detector:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5531844/page...
Uses 8 - NiMH AA Batteries.

But, that would mean re-running the power cable from the fan to the 'COL' heater after the mirror has stabilized.

I have never used the chemical hand warmers, so would these work, if I just used a large rubber band to hold it to the back of the COL?

Post Extras:

FirstSight
Postmaster

Reged: 12/26/05

Loc: Raleigh, NC

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: rick-SeMI]
#5536959 - 11/24/12 10:10 AM

Quote:

I have never used the chemical hand warmers, so would these work, if I just used a large rubber band to hold it to the back of the COL?

Short answer: yes, plenty of fellow CN'ers have taken exactly this approach to keeping their Orion COLs functional during chilly weather. Note: my experience has been that the COL is vulnerable to becoming unreliable well before the temp reaches freezing, so I'd bring some warmers for the COL on any night where you need a coat, just in case.

Post Extras:

Achernar
Postmaster

Reged: 02/25/06

Loc: Mobile, Alabama, USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: FirstSight]
#5536981 - 11/24/12 10:28 AM

One feature I like about my SkyCommander digital setting circles is the fact the display has a heating element for those cold winter nights. Since I power it from the same 12-volt battery as my dewheaters, I simply ran a cord from the Dewbuster to the computer and observe all night before the battery requires recharging. Taping a chemical handwarmer to the back of the COL is effective however when it comes to keeping it functional when the temperatures approach freezing at night.

Taras

Post Extras:

csrlice12
Postmaster

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: Achernar]
#5537072 - 11/24/12 11:20 AM

ALl I know is that I'm SO glad I live in a dryer climate. Have never had a dew problem. BUT, part of that may be that I can never be away all night, just a few hours. Wife is disabled. That is why my Dark Sky nights are so precious to me...

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: csrlice12]
#5539136 - 11/25/12 05:32 PM

I wonder if a lithium battery would work better in the cold.

Post Extras:

panhard
It's All Good

Reged: 01/20/08

Loc: Markham Ontario Canada

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: tnranger]
#5539479 - 11/25/12 09:59 PM

Batteries aren't the problem with mine it is the display that is the problem.

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: panhard]
#5540109 - 11/26/12 11:06 AM

I was having similar issues with my COL display and was using a new akaline battery. I remembered the wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer we have did the same thing in cold weather. The thermometer manual strongly recommended using a lithium battery, so I tried one in the XT10i hand piece and the display stopped flickering. Might be worth a try.
YMMV.

Edited by tnranger (11/26/12 11:07 AM)

Post Extras:

tnranger
member

Reged: 01/14/12

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: panhard]
#5540115 - 11/26/12 11:08 AM

Post Extras:

csrlice12
Postmaster

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: tnranger]
#5540153 - 11/26/12 11:27 AM

So now we not only need premium eyepieces, but premium batteries too???? Will it ever end????

Post Extras:

panhard
It's All Good

Reged: 01/20/08

Loc: Markham Ontario Canada

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: csrlice12]
#5540655 - 11/26/12 04:53 PM

Randy we are involved in a premium hobby.

Post Extras:

Starman81
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/06/08

Loc: Metro Detroit, MI, USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: rick-SeMI]
#5543612 - 11/28/12 10:49 AM

Quote:

There are times when I use the COL out in the cold and the LCD 'acts' up.
I have built a 'COL' heater with 5 parallel 276 ohm wire-wound resistors.
Works with a 9V battery and should work with a converted battery pack from a metal detector:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5531844/page...
Uses 8 - NiMH AA Batteries.

But, that would mean re-running the power cable from the fan to the 'COL' heater after the mirror has stabilized.

I have never used the chemical hand warmers, so would these work, if I just used a large rubber band to hold it to the back of the COL?

Rick, let's try the hand warmer idea next time out...

Post Extras:

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: tnranger]
#5545830 - 11/29/12 04:46 PM

tnranger
My indoor/outdoor thermometer also acts up during the cold.
Thanks for the tip!
I will try a lithium in it.
If that works I'll try it in my COL - THANKS

Post Extras:

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: Starman81]
#5545837 - 11/29/12 04:51 PM

Hey partner, hope you are feeling better.
Went to HJRO to 'help' Greg take images of moon/jupiter last night.
Thanks to your suggestion, on the FAAC yahoo site.
It was nice to see those two in the same FOV and have aldebaran close and Orion closing in at fourth

Edited by rick-SeMI (11/30/12 06:32 AM)

Post Extras:

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: tnranger]
#5556691 - 12/05/12 11:53 PM

Quote:

I was having similar issues with my COL display and was using a new akaline battery. I remembered the wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer we have did the same thing in cold weather. The thermometer manual strongly recommended using a lithium battery, so I tried one in the XT10i hand piece and the display stopped flickering.
YMMV.

tnranger
I replaced the 2 AA Alkaline batteries in my outdoor unit with 2 AA Lithium's and all seems well.
It wouldn't work below about 37° before. Tonight it has been as low as 25° and my indoor unit is showing it properly.
I will now get a 9V Lithium and see what that does in the XT10i COL --- THANKS...

Post Extras:

rick-SeMI
sage

Reged: 01/08/11

Loc: Michigan - USA

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL [Re: tnranger]
#5616560 - 01/11/13 12:45 AM

Quote:

I was having similar issues with my COL display and was using a new akaline battery. I remembered the wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer we have did the same thing in cold weather. The thermometer manual strongly recommended using a lithium battery, so I tried one in the XT10i hand piece and the display stopped flickering.
YMMV.

Well, my mileage varied

I tried the night of January 9th when the temps were around 32F - 35F.
Tried a new 9V Lithium battery and there was a very minor improvement.
What did a better job though was to place the COL in my inner jacket pocket and/or hold it with my gloved hands for awhile.
Next trick will be to use the chemical hand warmer...

Post Extras:

donnie3
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 12/15/04

Loc: bartlesville oklahoma

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new

[Re: rick-SeMI]
#5623393 - 01/14/13 08:43 PM

i just purchased a lithium battery for my 10" intelliscope. i have not tryed it out because its been TOO COLD for my human battery to function. donnie

Post Extras:

jtrevino
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: Southwest AZ Desert

Re: Orion XT10i and COLD COL new