MODIFICATION #4: HEATERS!

Everyone who observes regularly has been plagued by dew or frost on many occasions. In the picture at right, you can see frost on the tube of the scope on the side away from the sun.

My solution to this problem was to add a set of Kendrick Dew Heaters (see photos below). I have one on the eyepiece, one on each end of the finder, and one on the sky side of the secondary mirror. I power them from my car battery. Even after a couple of nights' observing, I can still start my car!

I highly recommend the Kendrick product to everyone. Dew/frost problems are now a thing of the past!

 The 17.5-inch in Winter
Winter wonderland:
a dew/frost zapper is essential!
Wired for heat:
Wrap-around Velcro heating elements are on both ends of the finder, as well as the eyepiece. A small heating pad is taped to the sky-side of the secondary mirror. I have tied the wires together for neatness. The controller (shown below) is attached lower down on the tube with Velcro. With the addition of an inverter, the heaters can be run off AC power instead of DC.		 Dew heaters on the telescope.

The Kendrick controller:
It controls up to 4 heaters, and has a pot for controlling the amount of heat. I generally run the heaters at ½ power. The full power setting has been able to handle the dewiest/frostiest nights with no problems.		 Dew heater controller.