Red LEDs

This is a handy thing for anyone thinking of getting leds to mark the tripod to prevent the scope going bump in the night.

Dunnes Stores are currently selling 'Flashing Light with Armband'.
It's 2 red l.e.d.s , the housing of which is d~4cm. It comes with a velcro armband.
So this can easily be used on tripod legs to help prevent s.body from walking into them.

It could also be used I suppose as a short range reading light.
It has a clip that you can use to attach to clothing etc.
It could be muti-positioned with velcro pads.
It uses a button cell battery, which is encased in the light.

You can also choose 1 of 3 flashing sequences!!!!

The UK shops sell a very basic 3-pack that uses those square batteries for ~£20!

These were €8 each, now reduced to €6. Buy 3 for 2= €12!

Cheers Paul - see that counterweiught shaft in my avatar? Pure stainless steel.

There's a perfect impression of that in my forehead...

These will be a godsend. Now, just have to get to Dunnes...

Dave

I got a set of red battery powered fairy lights out of ASDA up here last week for £1.44 (Just over €2) and they're great!

Great idea Paul, thanks for the heads up. I wonder though, in freezing temperatures, close to ground level, will the batteries loose their charge as quick, or ecause l.e.d.'s use less power, they will still work that little bit longer?

Seanie.

I have been using the cheap packs of 3 for 2 euros each for the last year from our local hardware shop in Boyle.

Mine have been outside the observatory when it is in action rotating in freezing clear skies to alert others that 'observatory is active', rather like the emergency reversal lighting on trucks.. I have them inside the observatory positioned strategically on the telescope so that I am not knocked out of the way when the telescope starts slewing to extreme positions, especially with a german equatorial when it decides automatically to do a flip over to the other meridian without any warning.

When I start observing, I need to know where exactly the telescope is when it is slewing around. These cheap LEDs are great for that purpose, and don't affect the imaging. Mind you I have had to modify them to reduce there light output by masking the outer exterior where there is alot more emanations.

Eamonn A

Cheers Paul - see that counterweiught shaft in my avatar? Pure stainless steel.

There's a perfect impression of that in my forehead...

Hate That :shock: .