From: Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com>
Date: October 2, 2006 6:36:29 PM MDT
To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Re: Using an iMac outside
Hi Tim;
A big issue for us northern folks is to bringing a cold (i.e -40 C) electronics device into a warm or warm and humid house. This causes instant condensation on the device inside and outside and that's really bad if you just sleep the powerbook, as it's still drawing power.
Luckily you can remedy this problem by sealing the device in an airtight plastic bag before you bring it inside, which is what I do with my cameras, electronic guiders, hand controllers and my laptop if I need to bring them inside.
TTYL..
Milton J. Aupperle
President
ASC - Aupperle Services and Contracting
Mac Software (Drivers, Components and Application) Specialist
#1005 - 815 14th Avenue. S.W.
Calgary Alberta Canada T2R0N5
1-(403)-229-9456
milton@outcastsoft.com
www.outcastsoft.com
On 2-Oct-06, at 5:56 PM, Tim wrote:
Ray:
Before I started imaging with mac-compatible computers, I used to
build my own PCs from Fry's and PC Warehouse components. I left the
computers in my garage on an old cabinet that I'd put wheels on so I
could roll it in and out to the driveway for imaging. I never had any
problems with dew, and I doubt you would either unless you're in
really humid conditions (the heat of my computers kept dew from
condensing on them).
But I did drop one once. Actually, I was trying to move the cabinet
around with the computer on top, and when one of the wheel's got
caught on a rock, it fell off the other end of the cabinet from where
I was standing, about 32 inches to the concrete. Mangled the heck out
of the case, broke all the plastic tabs on the front so the front
cover wouldn't stay on.
But it kept working! It was a couple months before I could buy a new
case and transfer the guts from the old computer. After that, I made
room inside the case for the CPU, but I still needed to put the
monitor and keyboard on top for use. Still, I never had any problems
with dew.
These days, I use both my G4 and my HP laptop outside, even in dewy
conditions, and haven't had a problem. I would imagine the iMac runs
quite a bit warmer, so wold similarly tend to prevent dew condensation
while it's on.
-Tim.
--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Ray Byrne <ray@...> wrote:
Hi Again,
Post 4.
I really like the idea of using an iMac (not the CRT version or the
ilamp but the one previous to the intel one - the PPC) for imaging in
my backyard/garden. I should be able to pick-up one at a decent price
on eBay as time goes on, although they are still holding there own
price-wise at the moment. I've even got a plan for putting it in an
enclosure/case with a lid that will form a "desktop" for the mouse
and keyboard. This setup would also be very handy for Solar imaging
as it would give shade from the Sun (I've used a card box for my PC
laptop in this situation in the past - but that says it all - LOL).
Would using, what is a desktop computer after all, be dangerous at
night in possibly dewy conditions?
Thanks Group for listening to my queries, I should be on board very
soon as a Mac-based Astro_IIDC user because Saturn will be beckoning
soon and I believe the reversal of the magnetic polarity of the Sun
has been confirmed by SOLIS to show the onset of a new Solar sunspot
cycle and I want to be chasing old Alan Friedman's coat tails :o]
All the very best
Clear and steady skies
Ray Byrne