13 replies to this topic

[cavecollector]

I hope I am putting this in the right category.  If not, please guide me to a better category. 

 

I have a bunch of vintage telescopes and since some are stored in air-tight Pelican-type cases, I worry about mold or mildew getting started inside the cases.

 

I had been using large desiccant bags, but then I read that they generate a very fine particulate dust that can bond to optics on absorbing moisture and can be really hard to get off and can even damage coatings. While I have never observed this happening myself, I wanted to bring up the subject here to learn what others are doing to minimize moisture.

 

I read about something called a "dry golden rod", have any of you tried these and how did you like it? Any tips on best usage? 

 

i have also seen metal dust plugs where one can unscrew the top, add desiccant, and then stick that into a focuser to absorb moisture.  Any feedback on using these? Is there any type of desiccant that's better than the others or are they all pretty much the same?

 

If you don't mind me asking,  what all are you using to minimize moisture and prevent anything from growing inside the case or on your equipment?

 

Other than UV light and dehumidifiers,  what else can I do to keep my optics safe and dry?

 

Thank you so much in advance, I really, truly appreciate your help with this!

[ayadai]

You could try the Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Dehumidifier. They seemed adequate while I was using them, but I eventually decided to just treat the entire storage room with a large dehumidifier, as there was way more than just a few things in cases that required low-humidity. At 80%RH year-round, humidity is a real threat here.

Edited by ayadai, 25 February 2025 - 11:08 PM.

[ngc7319_20]

 

I have a bunch of vintage telescopes and since some are stored in air-tight Pelican-type cases, I worry about mold or mildew getting started inside the cases.

 

I had been using large desiccant bags, but then I read that they generate a very fine particulate dust that can bond to optics on absorbing moisture and can be really hard to get off and can even damage coatings. While I have never observed this happening myself, I wanted to bring up the subject here to learn what others are doing to minimize moisture.

I guess I don't see how desiccant dust will be generated and propagated around if the scope is just sitting in the case.  Never seen any problems with desiccant dust. 

 

OTOH hand I've seen coatings damaged by moisture.  And seen mold growing on optics.

[Kasmos]

I don't worry about it too much and I live near the ocean where it can be quite damp.

 

I make sure my scopes and EPs stablize to room temperature before putting them away and open and check the ones that haven't been used in awhile. Opening the case from time to time is probably a good idea itself.

 

10 years ago my neighbor gave me a C80 that was stored in a leaky shed that was in a very shady damp corner of his yard so it had some fungus on the face of the crown. After I cleaned it, it's never come back. Dust can attract moisture so I blow them off with a bulb before capping and putting them away as well. Also because I'd rather not have to give them a more thorough cleaning as often.

[ayadai]

I don't worry about it too much and I live near the ocean where it can be quite damp.

 

I make sure my scopes and EPs stablize to room temperature before putting them away and open and check the ones that haven't been used in awhile. Opening the case from time to time is probably a good idea itself.

 

10 years ago my neighbor gave me a C80 that was stored in a leaky shed that was in a very shady damp corner of his yard so it had some fungus on the face of the crown. After I cleaned it, it's never come back. Dust can attract moisture so I blow them off with a bulb before capping and putting them away as well. Also because I'd rather not have to give them a more thorough cleaning as often.

Ours is an extreme environment.

 

Mold growth is best facilitated in environments with consistent or omnipresent high humidity and extremely stable, warm temperatures. Any piece of stationary glass that's not in a controlled environment here is guaranteed to be completely encapsulated and etched by mold* (to the point where it looks like frosted glass) within the space of a year. I've seen unused drinking glasses stored in closed containers turn pure white from etching from mold that's otherwise invisible.

 

Items stored in our dry storage (kept <=40%RH 24/7) do not exhibit this degradation. In a 4 x 4 x 2.75 meter room that's reasonably sealed, the dehumidifier removes ~3-4 gallons of water from the air every day.

 

*Even some plastics here that are stored in closed cabinets will turn to powder after a year of non-use due to mold that degrades them. I've lost more than one set of plastic dive fins this way.

Edited by ayadai, 26 February 2025 - 01:59 AM.

[rexowner]

I've been using Ruggard Desiccant Silica Gel Packs:

https://www.bhphotov..._desiccant.html

for several years without any problems.

[jragsdale]

I usually 3D print custom desiccant bead holders if I'm storing it in a sealed case or putting it away still a little cold.

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[LDW47]

Like many I don't store them in their case, very often. Most of mine either lay open or stay on one of my several mounts, never an issue. The couple that are encased are warm and dry, never an issue.  My dobs, when I had them, used to stand in my shed with the same climate as out doors, never an issue  I put bathing caps on the bottom ends to avoid bugs / spiders, never an issue.  Over a few decades !

Edited by LDW47, 02 March 2025 - 11:34 AM.

[deSitter]

I worry more about the foam turning to chemical goo. I stored some counterweights in an old foam case for a B&L telescope (it was dead), and when I went to retrieve them after a year or so, they were totally caked with sticky foam which had adhered to the paint. Took forever to get it all off without ruining the finish. I would be very careful storing a valuable telescope in foam padding.

 

-drl

[LDW47]

I worry more about the foam turning to chemical goo. I stored some counterweights in an old foam case for a B&L telescope (it was dead), and when I went to retrieve them after a year or so, they were totally caked with sticky foam which had adhered to the paint. Took forever to get it all off without ruining the finish. I would be very careful storing a valuable telescope in foam padding.

 

-drl

Do you really, really think that a telescope manufacturer is going to use a type of foam that causes a chemical reaction, they aren't stupid, eh. I have never heard of it over a lot of years and a large number of scopes, lol.  PS:  Maybe blame it on the paint, maybe. You get that with some paint on cheaper fishing lures thats why you put them in UMCO tackle boxes, right.

Edited by LDW47, 02 March 2025 - 04:57 PM.

[deSitter]

Do you really, really think that a telescope manufacturer is going to use a type of foam that causes a chemical reaction, they aren't stupid, eh. I have never heard of it over a lot of years and a large number of scopes, lol.  PS:  Maybe blame it on the paint, maybe. You get that with some paint on cheaper fishing lures thats why you put them in UMCO tackle boxes, right.

See here. This is IBM - they only used high-quality components. Every one of these machines has severely degraded foam ducting/insulation in the fan assembly on the case side.

 

Bad plastic and foam which disintegrates or sticks to things, because of a manufacturing process which failed to stabilize the end product, are far from rare. Anything involving polymers - foam, plastic parts, cases - requires a stabilization process. I have a laptop from the mid-90s whose plastic shell is simply disintegrating.

 

https://youtu.be/vlzCJ8ru8Oo

 

-drl

Edited by deSitter, 02 March 2025 - 05:18 PM.

[LDW47]

See here. This is IBM - they only used high-quality components. Every one of these machines has severely degraded foam ducting/insulation in the fan assembly on the case side.

 

Bad plastic and foam which disintegrates or sticks to things, because of a manufacturing process which failed to stabilize the end product, are far from rare. Anything involving polymers - foam, plastic parts, cases - requires a stabilization process. I have a laptop from the mid-90s whose plastic shell is simply disintegrating.

 

https://youtu.be/vlzCJ8ru8Oo

 

-drl

Let me say I have never seen it with astro gear, lets not spin into outer space with everything plastic vs foam, thats not what I said, ya think. If thats your position then the skies the limit, lol, eh.  PS:  I give up before it starts, lol.

[Ken Launie]

You're very lucky if you haven't ever had degrading foam in storage cases like the ones shipped with Celestrons, for example. This forum deals with equipment decades old, and manufacturers care about the short term, and don't test for long term issues.

[LDW47]

You're very lucky if you haven't ever had degrading foam in storage cases like the ones shipped with Celestrons, for example. This forum deals with equipment decades old, and manufacturers care about the short term, and don't test for long term issues.

I guess I am lucky, right.  I can only go back to the late 50's and into the 60's, sorry.  The manufacturers are not naive, they have been around a while.  But it would be nice to see some examples posted, very clearly, eh.  PS:  And to come up with something that is decades upon decades old is just playing a game, ya think !  As usual this will never end, lol. Me I'm stickin' with my posts, eh

Edited by LDW47, 02 March 2025 - 09:24 PM.