Mounts and Weatherproofing

Short of an observatory which is my next step when I can, does anybody have any ideas or recommendations for keeping elements off a mount. I have a permanent pier and would like to leave my mount out as much as possible to keep from having to polar align it all the time. I bought a telegizmos cover and they simply do not work. I have taken the cover off a couple times and found my mount wet. It might be okay to keep dust off it in the SW, or cover it up while at a star party, but no good for doing what I want to do. It wasn't even as good as a common plastic garbage bag.

Does anybody have opinions on the most corrosion resistant mounts made. Are there any that have 100% non steal or corroding parts? How about electronics. I was thinking that this could be another option if there was such a mount that could get rained on. Seems like all the mounts I have seen have some questionable parts and with all of them, I wonder about the electronics and motors.

Regards,
Kevin

I also have a pier on my deck and I use a grill cover to protect the mount. It seems to do better than most other covers. I cover the head and part of the pier and hold everything in place with a velcro and bungee cords.

I found this quite helpful

http://home.roadrunner.com/~alexmcconahay/Equipment/outhouse/outhouseindex.html

it is relatively easy to do, and quite effective.

Alex

Kevin,
If the climate in your area is damp, or the prevailing relative humidity high, the "wetness" you're seeing on the mount could be condensation. I don't think the Telegizmos covers are designed for long term, day in/day out continuous use. They do a good job of keeping moisture out for the type of short-term use they're intended for, but the converse of that is that they do a good job of keeping it in as well. You might try putting a light bulb, like a mechanic's trouble light, inside the cover with the mount and see if that little bit of heat will keep moisture from condensing on the mount. Be sure it's an incandescent bulb (60w or so) -- fluorescents don't generate enough heat. Not the "greenest" solution, but it's worth a try.

Jim

I've found that layering works pretty well.
First put a towel or blanket over the mount
to provide some insulation. Then a heavy duty
garbage bag to keep water out. Then the
Telegizmos cover (blocks sunlight and most
elements). Placing a small heat source in
there will also help keep it dry -- Kendrick
heater strap off 12 volts, or a small light
bulb (7 or 15 watts). Keeping stuff slightly
above the outside temperature should prevent
dew formation.