How to keep your telescope Fungus free?

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 6:25 pm

just buy those big size plastic box with cover. put some silica gel inside.

This may work a while, but it isn't reliable.

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:31 pm

rlow wrote:
just buy those big size plastic box with cover. put some silica gel inside.
This may work a while, but it isn't reliable.

yup...because you may forget to change the dessicant!.. And also because its not air tight, the moisture level is still high.

cataclysm · Post by **cataclysm** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:32 am

how about the hmdty level?

just buy those big size plastic box with cover. put some silica gel inside.

Yes this is a cheap alternative, but its wise to keep the humidity level under check. I got an inexpensive digital humidity reader from Homefix for this purpose.

kingkong · Post by **kingkong** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:31 pm

buy a dehumidifier
stick it in your office
run a hose to drain the water
keep humidity in the room at 50%
can put all your camera and astronomy glasses, and your precious books etc in the office

many models to choose from:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_hg/00 ... x=7&Go.y=8

i got this idea from looi from infinityfocus in kl. he told me that's how he keeps his shop dry.

river · Post by **river** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:41 pm

many models to choose from:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_hg/00 ... x=7&Go.y=8

HomeFix have smaller version selling ~$75 to $99.

vhuang168 · Post by **vhuang168** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:50 pm

I fortunately live in a very dry climate so I don't really have to worry about fungus but I am a little worried about dew and such collecting on the inside of closed celled tubes (refractors, SCTs etc).

So I bought a dessicant holder that takes the place of the plastic plug you put into the focuser/visual back. It is made by Particle Wave Technologies (same guy who makes the Monolith pier).

It uses food grade (I think) silica packs so it has no dust and uses a special indicator pack to tell you when the packs are used up and need to be changed.

PWT DDCAP

I bought the brass ones because they are heavier and almost simulates a diagonal so I leave it on when I balance the scope and just make it a little lighter on that end to compensate for the ep.

You can see them in my profile picture or in my refractor post.

Vincent