|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
Anybody have experience with the two controllers? I understand that
the heaters themselves are interchangable. The high end Kendrick controller, while it looks really cool, is much more than I am ever going to need. I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. Thanks. Clear, Dark Skies Mark |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
Anybody have experience with the two controllers? Hi: I've got both the 'Buster and the standard Kendrick. My observation? The Dewbuster is both easier on the batteries and more effective. Plus, I don't have to keep messing with it all night long. I do have a review of the Dewbuster on Cloudynights that I wrote some time back. Peace, Rod Mollise Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_ Like SCTs and MCTs? Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers! Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic
Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. Thanks. My experience: As long as the weather is as clear as it and has been for the last week, don't buy anything new...... g jon |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
As long as the weather is as clear as it and has been for the
last week, don't buy anything new...... _Boring!_ :-) Peace, Rod Mollise Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_ Like SCTs and MCTs? Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers! Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic
Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. Thanks. My experience: As long as the weather is as clear as it and has been for the last week, don't buy anything new...... g I'm looking to the future here. I was cut WAY short saturday by dew. I can't see myself cutting short viewing sessions with $3,000+ of Telescopic Equipment for the lack of $250 worth of dew heater. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
"Mark Smith" wrote in message
... Anybody have experience with the two controllers? I understand that the heaters themselves are interchangable. The high end Kendrick controller, while it looks really cool, is much more than I am ever going to need. I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. I had the basic Kendrick and was happy with its performance on a variety of scopes from a 92mm refractor to a C-11. However, it couldn't keep my 10" mak-cass dew free even when set on high in severe dew conditions. I bought the DewBuster in the hopes that it would perform better on the 10" but it did not. I saw no difference in performance between the two -- where the Kendrick basic works the Dew Buster works, but neither was up to the task on the 10" with that big chunk of glass. I tried a new heater strip to make certain it wasn't involved, still no go. I guess I'll try the new Kendrick next. Paul Gustafson |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
I have no experience with the "Dew Buster", but I do have a Kendrick
controller. I use it with an Orion dew heater for my 8" SCT, plus I've made a lot of eyepiece heaters out of resistors: http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffpo/dealwdew.htm I also put a couple of resistors under the Telrad glass. Like Paul, I have some nights here in North Carolina when my dew heater just can't keep the corrector plate clear. On those nights, I also put on my flexible Orion dew shield. The combination works just fine. Jeff http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffpo "Paul Gustafson" wrote in message news:rDCnc.12060$%o1.9051@lakeread03... "Mark Smith" wrote in message ... Anybody have experience with the two controllers? I understand that the heaters themselves are interchangable. The high end Kendrick controller, while it looks really cool, is much more than I am ever going to need. I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. I had the basic Kendrick and was happy with its performance on a variety of scopes from a 92mm refractor to a C-11. However, it couldn't keep my 10" mak-cass dew free even when set on high in severe dew conditions. I bought the DewBuster in the hopes that it would perform better on the 10" but it did not. I saw no difference in performance between the two -- where the Kendrick basic works the Dew Buster works, but neither was up to the task on the 10" with that big chunk of glass. I tried a new heater strip to make certain it wasn't involved, still no go. I guess I'll try the new Kendrick next. Paul Gustafson |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
Mark,
I have the old style Kendrick controller and the Dew Buster. The advantage of the DewBuster is the temperature sensing function that allows you to hold your optics at a preset temperature differential. The old unit won't do this, the new Kendrick will. Using just enough heat to keep your optics clear increases the time on your battery and it minimizes the chance of overheating the scope and introducing heat currents into the tube. The Dew Buster is built with heavy duty components. It will handle at least a 30 amp load. The old Kendrick controller is rated for 7 amps. I read the specs on the new Kendrick, really cool looking unit, but expensive. Extra sensors would run an additional $100 per scope. The DewBuster sensors are inexpensive. Anyway, I didn't see any specifications on how much current the new Kendrick can handle. I would ask that question before buying the new Kendrick. That's another advantage of the Dewbuster. You can hook up some really large heaters for SCT's and still have lots of current left to run other heaters. Kirk Carbo Mark Smith wrote in message . .. Anybody have experience with the two controllers? I understand that the heaters themselves are interchangable. The high end Kendrick controller, while it looks really cool, is much more than I am ever going to need. I like the looks of the Dew Buster over the basic Kendrick controller but am looking for experiences. Thanks. Clear, Dark Skies Mark |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
I'm looking to the future here. I was cut WAY short saturday by dew. I can't see myself cutting short viewing sessions with $3,000+ of Telescopic Equipment for the lack of $250 worth of dew heater. Looks like the clouds are here so it is safe to go ahead and make a purchase. g Did you try the hair dryer, those do work though they require repeated use? jon |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Dew Buster" vs. "Kendrick"
"dmoody" wrote in message
... I wonder if your problem isn't more of a function of your heating strip configuration (or the strips themselves) rather than the controller. I thought of that, and talked with Kendrick, Ron Keating, and the manufacturer of my scope concerning location of the heater strip. I tried it on the dew shield just in front of the meniscus, on the meniscus cell itself, and on the OTA tube behind the meniscus per Mr. Keating's suggestion. Also, do you have a good dew shield that is also insulative? A large dew shield made by the manufacturer of the scope. It is machined out of an aluminum tube, painted both sides (white exterior, black interior). I haven't tried one of the flexible insulated dew shields, partly because I had a couple different kinds for my C-11 and had difficulty keeping them in place due to the single Losmandy dovetail on the C-11. It wasn't an issue with that scope, since the regular Kendrick did a good job. Keeping a wrap-around insulated dew shield on the mak would be more difficult, since it has dovetails on both top and bottom that run all the way to the cell in the front. When do you start (turn on) your dew heating system? As soon as the scope is placed on the mount. I originally started on medium but eventually put it on at the onset cranked up full. Still didn't prevent the dew, but the visible heat plumes did interfere with my observing at that setting. A 10" Mak-Cass meniscus is a thick piece of glass compared to a 10" SCT corrector. Therein lies my problem. In high dew situations, both your heating strip set up and your dew shield insulation capabilities are very critical. I understand. I will next try two dew heater strips, one on the OTA and another on the dew shield as described above. Additionally, it would be critical to start your dew heating system at the very beginning of the evening as soon as you are set up. Otherwise, it will be trying to play catch up the rest of the evening if the temperature drops are steep, which is typical for heavy dew situations. With your thicker glass, that becomes even more critical. I am a big fan the DewBuster, but I don't think any controller will solve your problem if those elements aren't properly addressed as well. Have you spoken with Ron Keating (of DewBuster) about your problem? I am sure he would be more than happy to help you, especially considering the uniqueness of your situation. He has a very good understanding about the dynamics of dew as it can apply to wide range of telescope configurations. I have a 10" SCT and the DewBuster has performed in an outstanding fashion for me while keeping the objective plate, a companion scope (ranging from an 80mm f/5 to a 5" refractor on a side by side), finder optics, Telrad, and eyepiece clear. It is basically a fire and forget solution to dew. I live north of New Orleans and, naturally, the dew is tremendous down here. Best regards, Paul Gustafson |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Kendrick 33AH Battery: Overkill? | Davoud | Amateur Astronomy | 34 | February 18th 04 02:07 AM |
Kendrick Astronomy Tents | John Beaderstadt | Amateur Astronomy | 2 | February 13th 04 09:48 AM |