microscopes and temperature control

[cpsTN]

I am currently keeping my scopes in a mostly empty garage that is NOT temperture controlled. Will the ups and downs of seasonal changes adversely effect the optics or other workings of the intruments? Where I live, Middle Tennessee, USA, is NOT subject to harsh winters, only 30s/40s*F, often in the 60s*F. We can easily get into the upper 90s*F or over 100*F in summer with high humidity. The car is NOT keep in the garage, as the garage is enclosed and attached to the house.

[75RR]

I think high humidity is a bigger problem than heat or cold, particularly as those seasonal temperature changes are fairly gradual.
In areas of high humidity is is best that the microscope covering be able to breathe to avoid trapping condensation which encourages fungus growth.

"Fungal contamination can best be minimized by reducing the humidity of the room either by air conditioning or by installing an infrared lamp above the microscope (at a minimum distance of 150 cm or 5 Feet). Fungal contamination is almost impossible to remove." The Clean Microscope

http://microscopy.duke.edu/downloads/Th ... scsope.pdf

[charlie g]

Hi, Charles, in finger-lakes/NY I keep my 6" achro: Sky-Watcher refractor telescope in the unheated out building. Yes I cover it loosely to avoid dust and any droppings from rodents which use this out building as shelter.


1) are you aware of rodents or other critters which share your unheated:'out building', where you store your stands?! Indeed critters use you out-building.


2) I keep my pristine 5" Star Fire/Astrophysics apo refractor in my indoor home.

3) microscopes have oh so many lens systems...interfaces in which moisture swings can cause havoc...I advise you not to keep microscopes in an 'unheated-out building'.

thanks for this topic you posted, Charles. charlie guevara, finger lakes/US

[cpsTN]

I keep my 8" dob in the garage and have for years. I just didn't know if it was OK to do that with the microscopes.

[apochronaut]

When the temperature swings from low to high, there is usually an increase in humidity too. Heavy metal objects, like microscopes, warm up much slower than the air causing the rising humidity to condense on metal parts and lenses. Over time this will cause oxidation, even on chromed or enameled parts and may increase the possibility of fungal growth on exposed surfaces. I saved an AO 20 from an unheated garage once and every chrome on steel or chrome on cast part was rusted and some of the enamel was lifting. Lenses were fine. Keeping dessicants under a good cover that goes right to the table they sit on, may help but dessicants , such as silica gel need to be dried out in an oven or dehydrator every now and then , especially in humid weather to be useful.