Dual temperature control for dew shields, heater straps and telescope optics to minimise tube seeing and fogging.
On clear nights, telescopes cool down very quickly due to radiation. The resulting increase in relative humidity causes dew to form on the cool optics and tubes, which can quickly put an end to observation or photography. This is especially true for optics with exposed glass surfaces, such as SC telescopes, Makstutovs, but also refractors. However, dew also forms on open optics such as Newtonian telescopes, not only on the outside of the tube, but also on the secondary and primary mirrors. Dew can cause electrical components to fail or become damaged and, at very low temperatures, can cause the telescope to freeze.
Heating sleeves and heating elements increase the temperature around the optics, thereby reducing the risk of dew. However, the heat output required for this can cause increased tube seeing or air turbulence in front of the telescope. They can also produce different results on cold and warm nights, as a fixed amount of heat is generated regardless of the outside temperature. Adjusting the heat output using a potentiometer often results in chaotic control in highly fluctuating weather conditions.
With the Lacerta Dual automatic temperature controller, all these problems are a thing of the past. A temperature sensor measures the outside temperature and the temperature of the heating sleeve and automatically adjusts the required heating power of the heating sleeve to keep the tube or optics a few degrees above the ambient temperature. A potentiometer can be used to preset the desired temperature difference between the heating sleeve and the environment in order to achieve optimum frost protection and air turbulence. Another advantage of the Lacerta temperature control is its low energy consumption, as only as much energy as is needed to reach and maintain the required temperature is used.
With the Lacerta Dual Temperature Controller, all common heating sleeves for secondary mirrors, dew shields or primary mirrors can be operated.
The scope of delivery includes two temperature sensors and a power cable with a vehicle power supply connector (cigarette lighter).
Made in Europe
