How to install the Celestron Dew Heater Ring

[@stecal12]

Just installed one on a 9.25 Evolution. Overall, pretty easy to do. The ring is replacing/upgrading my Astrozap strip, which works just fine, but decided to go with one less piece of equipment to deal with in the dark, plus having the heat transfer be more direct seems better. And, it frees up the strip so it can be used to keep eye pieces warm. I have a Celestron PowerTank 12, I don't really care about power consumption since there is plenty to spare, and warm enough is warm enough to keep the dew away, so to speak. Fine tuning the heat output via the thermistor and paying for the Celestron dew controller - your mileage may vary on the need for that. Might clip the wire, but who knows what Santa is bringing this year. Otherwise, the Astrozap controller is good enough. Two little dings on the install - one of the factory screw holes seemed off after having removed the original screw. Had to find a similar length M3 machine screw (M3 16mm) and it went right in. The other is the objective cover plate - seems to fit better (i.e., rotate to the right to lock into place) when in one orientation versus the other. Pro tip - when going vertical, ensure the vixen rail lock/screw is tight so as to avoid the OTA slipping down and bashing the top of the mount.

[@clearskiesastro1028]

So the FAQ says these rings will not work on a pre-2006 C5, C8, C11, C14 but does not list the C9.25, is there a reason? I have an older (year unknown) carbon fiber C9.25 that I wanted to potentially use this ring on. Mine has the "flat back" like in the pictures in FAQ saying its not compatible with the scopes with that particular back design. What exactly makes it not compatible? Is the dew ring size actually different than the ring being replaced on these older SCT?

[@qonos68]

Installed today on a Nexstar 6SE quite flawlessly. However the scope lid is now hard to be put back in its place. Suggestions?

[@MilwaukeeMax]

How about on a 1990s C8? It seems the dew heater ring will interfere with the solar filter when attached and possibly also the dust cover…

[@gregerianne3880]

Very clear instruction! Thanks. Can the included cable connect to the non-Celestron plug and a 12V dew heater controller (mine is a Kendrick with RCA plug receptacles)? Thanks again!

[@rayphillips815]

My 6SE retaining ring does not use Phillips head screws, but Torx CRV2 instead. Luckily, I have an odd bit set that included this.

[@Dudleydogg]

Its well made fits perfectly, love the cable management, and their Dew shield fits beautiful over top of the wires. Then I went and grabbed my Bahtinlov mask to do a quick collumation and Focus check and Opps does not fit any more, didn't see that one coming. the cables are in the way for it to fit flat, anyone run across this what is solution, thanks?

[@alalal1979]

Glad you posted this. Thanks. I guess that’s a deal breaker for me

[@Dudleydogg]

@@alalal1979 I took a Dremel to the focus mask and made it fit

[@cryhavoc38]

Notch the mask to allow it to fit around the cable clip.

[@jamesdougan8789]

sorry if i missed it but if you remove the paper gaskets on the install do you put them back before the new heater ring install or dose it sit on the glass it self ... very good idea . are they effective as a strap dew heater and what is the price point compared to a strap heater do you need a control box, is it supplied with the unit . is there any plans to make this standard on SCT`s as a dew heater is a must have for a SCT and could be a game changer at purchase time over other brands of telescope it would be for me cheers james D

[@CelestronDotCom]

Hi James, No worries, you remove gaskets.

[@jamesdougan8789]

@@CelestronDotCom thanks for the reply i hope they come to australia great idea

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

I just ordered an 8" from highpointscientific. The price is great around $50 US. From what I could tell, you just need a 12v source. You can use them with a controller, but it appears one is not necessary.

[@jamesdougan8789]

@@NG-VQ37VHR thanks for the info thats is a good price i have the astrozap heated dew shield for my 8"edge and i think this would work well with it or when windy

[@leboch65]

What was the purpose of the paper gaskets in the first place and why it isnt necessary anymore when the dew heater is unstalled?

[@Nottsboy24]

I love the new technology 👓🎓a Dew Heater Ring on the Corrector Plate! how cool is that 👌🔭

[@sylvaincombes5468]

I just have a question: Yesterday, I made my collimation with the dew shield OFF. The first 40 images were done dew shield OFF and were OK. Then, as the temperature was going down ans approaching due point, I selected my dew shield ON. My next photo was poor and my C8 edge HD slightly "decollimated". My question is: Is it better to switch on the dew heater for all night if there is a risk of dew and perform the collimation with dew shield ON or may I have a technical problem due to installation of the dew shield ? Thank's for your help.

[@Ronbo765]

Does the ring interfere with the function of a Batinov mask?

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

Didn't know these existed. Just bought one. Thanks.

[@leboch65]

Does this need the celestron dew power box to operate or just regular 12v output will do?

[@CelestronDotCom]

You can operate the Dew Heater Ring through the 12V battery or through the Smart Dew Heater Controllers.

[@superlinux]

Just wondering: does not this hurt the telescope collimation? I kindly ask you to respond. Thanks.

[@CelestronDotCom]

No.

[@johnadams9044]

Why didn't you finish the job by showing how connect the dew heater to power?

[@astrophotonics9470]

Got 2 of these 8 & 11 ota's, nice innovation +10.

[@AaronDavila1]

When is celestron going to update the software so we can use the heater controller through our mount.

[@CelestronDotCom]

Hi Aaron, Our software is updated. You can go to our website to download the last software. You suggest you look at a Smart DewHeater Controllers as this will allow you to control the Dew Heaters and mount.

[@AaronDavila1]

@@CelestronDotCom I am sorry if I am missing something but I just checked the website and it still doesn't show the version required to use the dew heater controller. The star sense controller update is still from Sept 2020.

[@CelestronDotCom]

@@AaronDavila1 Hi Aaron, for use with the Dew Heater Controllers, you'll need the StarSense hand controller firmware version 1.21.21333 or later. It is on our website here: www.celestron.com/pages/manuals-software The release notes are not up-to-date, sorry for any confusion!

[@AaronDavila1]

Thanks for the replies but on that website it still shows version 1.20.20244 as the latest version.

[@CelestronDotCom]

@@AaronDavila1 We mentioned this in our last reply. If you want to ensure that you are downloading the latest software for your StarSense hand controller, our technical support team can assist you take make sure you are downloading the latest firmware version: www.celestron.com/pages/technical-support

[@markgman4157]

I installed the dew ring on a new Nexstar Evolution 6. Note: the screws were hex, not Philips. Check your screw heads under a bright light to determine if you have Torx, Philips, or hex before you go crazy and round them off.

[@mikebloodworth9258]

How much current is required for this 12V Dew Heater and is it available in Australia yet ?

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Will you still need a dewshield as well as I use a RASA 11 or will they keep the optics free of dew without?

[@woldsweather]

Don't you have to somehow connect power to it?

[@ObservatorioAndromeda1]

Excelente accesorio como podemos adquirirlo si el representante en nuestro país no lo pude traer

[@johnmarler6735]

Cracked my corrector plate.

[@CelestronDotCom]

Hi John, Sorry to hear this. Please reach out to our technical support team so we can address this problem. Here is how you can connect to our team via our website (www.celestron.com/pages/technical-support). Speak with you soon.

[@johnmarler6735]

@@CelestronDotCom Thanks.

[@1dgram]

There was a thin thread of metal hanging off the dew shield that I tried breaking off by gently pulling with my fingers and it ended up slicing the pad of my finger really badly. Don't repeat my mistake!

[@AudioMusicElectronics]

0:07 "Installation is easy to dew"🤣

[@scottrk4930]

??? what powers this ? Doesn't seem this Video is a complete set of Instructions . Sorry , I'll pass . /SRK

[@jamesdougan8789]

it is a good idea but your right i also had many questions on this dew heater

[@CelestronDotCom]

Hi Scott, Plug the dew heater ring into an external 12V DC power source for consistent, continuous heat that will prevent dew from forming even under heavy dew conditions.

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

It's powered just like any other dew strap/heater. It was an install vid. They showed exactly how to install it. What in the world are you talking about?