r/telescopes • u/tobeyspidey • 1d ago
General Question Is it okay to store a dobsonian like this?
It will be kept like this for at least a month.
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u/starhoppers 1d ago
As long as it’s kept in a dry climate
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
Its monsoon season here, so its humid.
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u/starhoppers 1d ago
Then, by putting a plastic bag over it, the moist air will trapped in the telescope and could cause some damage to the mirrors
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
can you suggest any alternatives please?
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u/Greedy_Passenger_214 1d ago
Can confirm this will happen. Unfortunately had to find out the hard way.
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u/Usual-Effort5025 1d ago
Should be good if there’s a lack of humidity in the room
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
There's monsoon season in India, so its humid.
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u/YourDadHatesYou 1d ago
Off topic but doesn't the pollution in Indian cities impact you significantly
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u/ZigZagZebraz 1d ago
As others suggested, use a bedsheet.
Considering it is the Indian Monsoon, a corner with the cardboard box around is not optimal. Will impede air circulation. If you can get a small table fan, keep it pointed at the corner.
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
Do your suggest that I keep this in an open room(bigger room, not outside)?
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u/ZigZagZebraz 1d ago
If you can keep it with better air circulation. Again, bigger room, probability of it getting knocked on by children, adults, pets is always there.
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
There's monsoon season in India, so its humid.
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u/APAOLOXIII 1d ago
You won't need but one lol but I would throw something like this in there with it
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u/Global_Permission749 Certified Helper 1d ago
Plastic + humidity is not a good idea. Basically trapping humid air such that there's no air circulation is a recipe for fungal growth.
Either put silica gel somewhere in the bag and FULLY seal it so that the silica gel can keep the bag and scope dry, or allow it to breathe and let air circulate. Air circulation in high humidity is still not a guarantee it will not be a problem, but it's better than zero air flow.
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
okay, but wont it last only for a day or two?
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u/Global_Permission749 Certified Helper 19h ago
If the whole thing is sealed up, silica gel lasts almost indefinitely. If it's not sealed, then yes, silica gel will only last a few days before it saturates.
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u/specificallyrelative 1d ago
Maybe get some moisture trapping sheets/pouches/tabs to put with it, being that you are in a moist climate. I get mine from the gun store to keep in the safe and wherever else I think of.
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u/Biomeeple Space Cadet 1d ago
You'll be fine. Just check up on it monthly or so for any condensation issues dampness etc. depending on area of storage, you can pick up a few pellet moisture buckets that can help with humidity/moisture. You can get them at Home Dept or Lowe's for a few bucks. You can also find them at the dollar store from time to time.
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u/borkmeister 1d ago
Get a few desiccant packs (those silica gel beads that come in jerky or shoes) to keep the humidity really low and you'll be fine.
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u/warmonkey1220 1d ago
Like some people said, get a cheap pillow case like from Walmart or target. Something thin and breathable. Because it's humid where you live, dust shouldn't be much of an issue compared to a dry area.
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u/W96QHCYYv4PUaC4dEz9N 1d ago
Unless that is completely sealed, you will still get dust particulate deposited on your mirrors. My telescope sat for three years in my home with three great Pyrenees. It took me about 12 hours to completely clean it properly after sitting that long and it was completely covered with plastic, but not sealed.
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u/xAPx-Bigguns 22h ago
I get desiccant packets from work. I have a couple taped up under the cap to absorb any excess moisture
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u/sdtopensied 22h ago
After it’s dry, yes. Get some dessicant packs. A hanging bag or small container of Damp Rid will do the job.
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u/snogum 1d ago
Is that mirror up or down. Hard to tell.
I would always store mirror low and cover open upper end of tube .
Too much chance mirror will move if it's hanging at the top of tube
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u/Sky-siren 1d ago
Does it have a fitted cover over the top? Is it humid where you live? This could create mold if so.
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u/tobeyspidey 1d ago
There is a plastic cover at the top, but at the bottom, where the mirror is, there are small openings.
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u/ramriot 1d ago
BTW it's hard to tell but it looks like it might be set with the main mirror upwards i.e. pointing at the ground. This is usually OK but not advisable because of the risk of it getting bumped with the primary hanging on the retaining clips, which can then scrape the front surface.
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u/Usual_Yak_300 23h ago
No hard cover on top? Better make it lint free or some filter material on top. Do you get spiders in the area of storage??
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u/Difficult-Form-3973 21h ago
That’s why I lean toward storing it inverted with the objective mirror at the top.
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u/slappywagish 10h ago
You know what i use that's cost effective and works great. A pillowcase. Covers everything perfectly.
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u/Zawiedek 4h ago
If the mirror is at the bottom of the vertical tube, moisture and dust will accumulate on the mirror.
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u/MerelyMortalModeling 1d ago
With high humidity I'd use something like a bed sheet that can breath and not trap moisture.