Dewheater control box

Folks - in order to prevent cable tangling, where is the best place to put a dewheater control box?

I assumed it would attach to my pier but the heater cable is relatively short. But more importantly, I can see cable tangling becoming a real issue as the scope slews around.

I was thinking of putting the control box on the OTA mounting plate - that means only the control box power cable is trailing around, but that's a much longer cable and wouldn't give me too much heartburn.

Any advice?

Cheers
Dave

Dave,

I have put one due heater on an appropriate position at the rear cell (focus mount). Other cables run to the rear of the OTA, I did a simulation of all the positions the OTA would encounter with respect to the mount, where there could be tangling. Once all cables worked I put them into a flexitube. This bundle of cables then runs down the central mount. This set up has worked well ever since.

Eamonn A

Interesting discussion.

While we're on the subject, I have two dew heaters and a broken dew heater controller. Is there an easy way to make a dew heater controller?

Thanks,

While we're on the subject, I have two dew heaters and a broken dew heater controller. Is there an easy way to make a dew heater controller?

Check out Don Clements dew heater circuit at www.clementfocuser.com/pages/5/index.htm . This circuit measures the ambient temperature and that of the optics (I think) to control how much heat to deliver. Looks a very straight forward circuit you could knock up in half an hour with a soldering iron and stripboard.

Phil.

PS - Michael - check out the Don Clements' Focuser while you are on that site.

I think I'm going to have to attach the controller to the OTA mounting plate. I've just had to runa telephone cable from the study to the observatory so positioning the control box will be a breeze in comparison! I have some large tie-wraps - that should do the trick.

When (?) I get something more permanent I'll use the flexi tubing and run it through the pier. Until then, the velcro tie-wraps I have work surprising well.

I tell you, this hobby involves pretty much every facet of life - electronics, computers, engineering, construction....

Michael - I was doing a search last night - in Google I typed 'installing dew heater' and I'm sure there were a couple of references there to making a DIY controller.

That link doesnt work for me? A have a kendrick controller, but if this is better I'll be building it!
As for dew heater positions, I considered having in on the OTA itself, but I figured why put more weight on the dec. drive, so I decided to put it on the fork instead and give it enough slack so that the cables all reach and dont stall the motor.
Its not difficult to get this right and tidy with abit of effort and some stickyback tie-wraps.

I think the position you've selected given its a GEM sound good to me Dave.