RCDA-2 Dew Controller

Astro-Smart’s Computerized Dew Annihilator(RCDA-2) is a turn-key solution for professional or amateur observatory dew control designed specifically for large telescopes with optical surfaces requiring dew straps between   (18″ And  50″ Telescope Apertures). 

The customer merely needs to select  the diameter of his optics  and the system will be designed around that criteria with sufficient current to remove dew from the optics.

In the following picture you can see RCDA-2 system with common 5 heat channels, LCD Dsiplay, User Button Menu Interface, USB interface and Power Supply Input. For more information on operation of this product see the user manual and video links on this page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RCDA-2 is designed for observatory distributed power for custom large dew strap designs providing enough current to remove dew while preserving optical integrity for imaging or visual observing. The RCDA-2 strap design is a unique custom band required to wrap the circumference of the telescope diameter while providing enough envelope distributed current for the optics to remove due while negating any Eddie current distributions that might cause wave interference on the optics to maximize imaging and or visual work with your telescope using Astro-Smart patented reverse polar switching PWM algorithms. to maximize current demand while preserving optical integrity for imaging or visual observing using Astro-Smart patented reverse polar switching  PWM algorithms. These algorithms distribute heat for large telescope optical surfaces from 18″ to 50″ optics targeted to be used with this one device or can also be used with smaller scopes providing plenty of power reserve. 

***Some of the systems tested using this system include Observatories with a 32 inch Mirror Reflector Truss And A 42 inch Dobsonian which has performed with amazing results.***

The customer specifies what telescope aperture and power level is required and the system package is automatically crafted to those specifications. When selecting a power level for the RCDA-2 dew strap design, the customer has 2 options either “Normal”(Below and Equal to latitudes of 38 degrees)  or “Extreme”(Above lattitudes of 38 degrees) strap design based on typical geography climate condition needs.  Normal dew strap power designs the distributed dew strap band around 15 Amps while the Extreme power design is designed around 20 Amps. The Table below shows the RCDA-2 dew strap power design selection options derived using an Astro-Smart 20 Amp supply.

 

(Model: RCDA-2)

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Typical Configuration for the RCDA-2  is shown below on a Ritchey-Chretien and Truss Ritchey-Chretien  but can be used with any reflector, refractor, newtonian or schmidt-cassegrain telescope.

 

 

 

The RCDA-2 can be setup with your telescope for trouble-free operation controlled manually with standalone interface or by computer. Astro-Smart is the innovator of this elegant solution to your dew problem.  The Computerized Dew Annihilator (Model: RCDA-2) is designed to be used with any make or model of telescope.  Whether you have a refractor, newtonian, schmidt-cassegrain, Dobsonian, Reflector, Truss Reflector or ritchey-chretien, the RCDA-2 will solve your dew problems while informing you every step of the way. 

Since, the inception of this unique product at Astro-Smart, the RCDA-2 was many years in the making, over long periods in astronomy using existing products on the market to control dew, identifying their weaknesses and limitations making the product you see before you.  The RCDA-2 is finally here!!! The Astro-Smart Computerized Dew Annihilator  (Model RCDA-2 is  designed to be user friendly, serviceable, elegant and reliable and include the following  features  shown below:

1. Worry Free Warranty Program For Life Of Product Sale.

2. Full Computerized Observatory Control Solution For Large Telescope Aperture Dew Removal(18″ to 50″ Telescope Apertures). Can be controlled remotely or by standalone operation.

3. Distributed custom dew band design and controller algorithm designed to match customer chosen optics. Customer specifies the optical diameter of telescope desired between 18″ and 50″.

4. 5 Output Port Heat Channels User Control Capable of 240 Watts(12V, 20Amps) or 180 Watts(12V, 15Amps) using distributed power algorithms over optics.

5. Variable Power Control Duty Cycle 0-100%, 1.5KHz. Patented Asto-Smart Wave Cancellation Method And Pulse Width Modulation(PWM) for Efficient Heat Output For Dew Removal and Reduced Wave Interference tailored for CCD Imaging or Visual Session Applications.

6. Standalone Computerized Control With LCD Display and User Menu, Enter and UP, Down Button Interface.

7. Computer Control with supplied USB interface and GUI Sofware interface

8. PWM distributed power LED and Power LED indicators.

9. Lifetime Updatable Firmware and Standalone Software GUI.

10. Mounting Brackets and High quality Aluminum housing enclosure with small form factor and rugid design for outdoor use.

11. Void of RFI(Radio Frequency Interference) protected to enhance Astro-Imaging .

12.  Price point set below development cost for such a system while providing more features.

[CLICK THIS LINK–>FOR WATCHING CDAP VIDEO TUTORIALS! (Pick Video For RCDA-2 ]

Video below shows provides a RCDA-2 demonstration.

 

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The Computerized Dew Annihilator for any telescope! The RCDA-2 package contents are shown below:

1. RCDA-2 Dew Controller.

2. 20 Amp 12VDC AC/DC Power Supply(User Specified Based On Latitude Location Of Telescope).

3. Custom Dew Band From User Selected 18″ to 50″ Telescope Optic Apertures.

4. CD with user Manual, Control Software GUI Inteface and Application Videos.

Accessories:

  Another convenient accessory for your RCDA-2  that Astro-Smart offers is Two versions of  Larger power supplies based on your dew heating needs 20 Amp 12 VDC supplies(PS12VXAMP-D). These models will come with power cord input and power cord output with wire gauge to support upto 20 amps fitted to your RCDA-2 Controller.

Another product Astro-Smart offers is our Premium Custom Dew Heater Straps for the RCDA-2. These dew straps are custom to work with 18 to 50 inch aperture telescopes. The customer must specify what size is needed to be custom designed and built to work with the RCDA-2 and 30 Amp power supply option.  See Link