Orion Dew Zapper Pro - User Manual

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Orion

Dew Zapper

™

Pro

#3517

Congratulations on your purchase of the Dew Zapper Pro

system. The Dew Zapper Pro efficiently prevents dew from forming

on the exposed optical surfaces of your telescope and its accessories.

This system enables you to continue using your telescope, regardless

of damp conditions on a clear night.

A telescope with a lens exposed on the front of its optical tube, such

as a Schmidt-Cassegrain, Maksutov-Cassegrain, or refractor, is sus-

ceptible to dew formation (water condensation) on the lens surface.

The exposed lens rapidly radiates its heat into the air and can cool

down below the dew point. As a result, moisture in the air condenses

on the lens.

Dew shields are available for Schmidt-Cassegrain and similar tele-

scopes (catadioptrics), and are usually built into refractors. However,

dew shields can only insulate the air around the lens to delay the dew

from forming. The Dew Zapper Pro uses a heating band that keeps the

telescope’s glass just above the dew point, keeping the dew away for

as long as the heat is applied. The amount of heat applied to the glass

is not intrusive to your telescope’s optics, and it should not create tube

currents. Using the Dew Zapper Pro with a dew shield provides the

most efficient and effective way to keep dew from your telescope. The

exposed lenses of your nder scope and eyepieces are also suscep-

tible to dew. The Dew Zapper Pro has different sized bands to t your

nder scope and eyepieces to keep dew away from your entire tele-

scope system. There are several different sizes of heating bands avail-

able for the Dew Zapper Pro:

Note: The heating bands have an elastic strap which may accom-

modate a slightly larger or smaller circumference. Since each heating

band was made to t a variety of different circumferences, some may

t with an overlap or slight gap. This does not effect the performance

of the Dew Zapper Pro.

Getting Started

The Dew Zapper Pro can operate up to four heating bands at once.

The control box has four output jacks for heating bands, and one aux-

iliary output jack for an optional 12-volt DC accessory. Each of the four

heating band outputs are controlled by a knob, variable to anywhere

between OFF, MED, and HI (Figure 1).

Power Requirements

The Dew Zapper Pro is designed for 12-volt DC operation. The control

box’s plug ts any standard car lighter receptacle, or can be hooked

up directly to a 12-volt DC power source. For eld use, a portable bat-

tery with a power storage capacity of at least 10 amp-hours or more

is recommended. A 10 amp fuse is installed in the control box’s plug.

(See “Specications” for a list of power consumption for each heating

band.)

Warning: If replacing the fuse is necessary, do not use a fuse rated

higher than 10 amps.

Installation

The Dew Zapper Pro should be installed on your telescope or acces-

sory before you begin observing.

Wrap the Dew Zapper Pro’s heating band around the lens cell of your

telescope or nder scope. The power cord should extend away from

the lens (Figure 2). Secure the heating band to itself with the nylon

hook-and-loop fastener. If you are using the Dew Zapper Pro with a

dew shield, position the heating element on the telescope tube just

behind the lens cell. For the best heat conduction, be sure the heating

element makes complete contact with the lens cell; avoid screws or

bumps. For fork-mounted Schmidt-Cassegrains, route the cable over

one fork arm to avoid tangling the cord as the telescope is moved. The

cord length of the heating band is 6 feet.

When using the smaller 4" and 6" heating bands on eyepieces, the

heating band should be wrapped around the body of the eyepiece.

The power cord should face downward away from the eyepiece lens.

Heating Band Length Fit

4" Standard 1.25" eyepieces and

30mm nder scopes

6" Standard 2" eyepieces and

50mm nder scopes

15" 3" - 5" (80mm-127mm) refractor

and catadioptric telescopes

27" 6" - 8" (150mm-203mm) catadi-

optric telescopes

37" 9.25" - 11" (235mm-280mm)

catadioptric telescopes

Figure 1. The Dew Zapper Pro control box.

Figure 2. The installed heating band should have its power cord extending

away from the lens.

Corporate Ofﬁces: 89 Hangar Way, Watsonville CA 95076 - USA

Toll Free USA & Canada: (800) 447-1001

International: +1(831) 763-7000

Customer Support: support@telescope.com

may be reproduced, copied, modied or adapted, without the prior written consent of Orion Telescopes & Binoculars.

AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANY

IN 334 Rev C 02/09

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Orion Dew Zapper Pro and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Product Introduction and Capabilities

Dew Prevention Mechanism

Explains how the Dew Zapper Pro uses a heating band to keep optics above dew point, superior to dew shields.

Heating Band Sizes

Lists available heating band lengths and their typical fits for eyepieces, finder scopes, and telescopes.

Getting Started and Setup

Power Requirements

Specifies 12-volt DC operation, recommends a 10 amp-hour battery, and notes the 10 amp fuse.

Installation Guidelines

Details how to wrap the heating band around optics and route the power cord for optimal contact and safety.

Operating the Dew Zapper Pro

Control Box Operation

Explains the microprocessor-controlled circuitry and four variable heat control knobs (OFF, MED, HI).

Powering and Activating Channels

Describes connecting power, LED indicators, and turning on heating channels via control knobs.

Setting Heat Levels

Guides users on adjusting heat settings from 25% to 50% (MED) or 100% (HI) based on dew conditions.

Battery Saver Function

Details the battery saver feature that powers off the unit when voltage drops to protect the battery.

Auxiliary Output Port

Describes the 12-volt DC auxiliary port for optional accessories, with a maximum draw of 10 amps.

Product Specifications and Compliance

Technical Specifications

Lists power requirements, fuse rating, control features, LEDs, battery saver, and cord lengths.

Heating Band Performance

Provides a table of maximum input current (Amps) and maximum heat output (Watts) for each band size.

FCC Compliance

States compliance with FCC Rules Part 15, outlining conditions to avoid harmful interference.

Warranty Information

One-Year Limited Warranty

Details the warranty against defects in materials/workmanship for one year from purchase.

Orion Dew Zapper Pro Specifications

General

Brand	Orion
Model	Dew Zapper Pro
Category	Control Unit
Language	English