DewBuster™ Precision Thermostatic Dew-Heater Controller
The "Set & Forget" Dew Controller

REVIEWS

Excelsis Astronomy Equipment Ratings - an independent web site where owners can post opinions of products.

Cloudy Nights Review - by Rod Mollise author of "Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope" .

NJ Night Sky

If you find a review not listed here, please send me the link.

FEATURES

Proven technology -- Industrial-Spec components for dependable performance 24/7 and cold weather operation down to at least -40F.
Mature product -- Thousands of units in service with extremely satisfied users and reliability second to none.
No CCD interference -- The DewBuster™ Controller will not interfere with CCD equipment.
8 heater outputs -- Up to 10 Amps total current available with standard Cigarette Plug model (HD Power Cord models available with additional current capability). Outputs are short-circuit protected so heater faults can not damage controller. Temperature
Controlled Output typically used for corrector plate, objective, or guide scope heater. Medium Power Outputs typically used for accessories such as eyepiece, finder scope, Telrad, etc.
Heater status lights -- Temperature Controlled and Medium Power LED's are wired directly to heater outputs and illuminate as voltage pulses are sent to heater so you know the heaters are getting power. When Temperature Controlled light blinks you know temperature is being maintained. Lights are red and dim enough not to interfere with your night vision.
Battery status light -- Yellow Battery warning light flickers when battery is almost exhausted, then smart Low-Battery Conservation Circuitry reduces heater power levels gradually to prevent dew as long as possible while preventing battery from falling below 10.5V to prevent battery damage.
Power Cord -- Standard cigarette plug power cord is 10-feet long and fused at 10 Amps. For large telescopes a Heavy Duty Power Cord is available and features a self-resetting PST fuse. Contact me if you have any questions on the most suitable power cord for your application.
Premium enclosure -- deluxe 4.4" x 2.4" x 1.2" cast aluminum enclosure with durable polyester powder coat finish. Durable and scratch-resistant Lexan® front panel graphics.
Easy removal -- industrial strength Velcro™ strip included to hold tight but allow easy removal.
Custom Configurations Available -- 12V Power Jacks, extra Temperature Sensors, and a variety of Power Cord Options may be selected on the order form. Since every DewBuster™ Controller is hand built, not mass produced, I can customize it to best suit your needs. If you need a custom configuration, contact me with details of your installation and I will be happy to offer suggestions. Your satisfaction is my #1 goal. With a DewBuster™ Controller you are never stuck, if you realize you should have ordered your controller customized, then you can send it in for an upgrade and in most cases you will only pay return shipping plus the cost of the options being added. This even applies after the warranty has expired!

PRECISION THERMOSTATIC HEATER CONTROL

Prevents overheating optics - Keeps optics slightly warmer than the air temperature, just enough to prevent dew but not so much that it prevents your telescope from performing at its best.
Set-&-Forget thermostat control - Just set the control knob at the beginning of the night and controller does the rest. In an observatory the controller may be left on 24/7 to help with daytime condensation.
No recalibration when changing temperature sensors -- The DewBuster™ Controller is unique in that it does not have to be recalibrated when changing temperature sensors, a very important consideration if you want to have a sensor on each of your telescopes.
No drift in accuracy as temperature changes -- The DewBuster™ Controller uses dependable thermocouple technology which does not drift over wide temperature extremes allowing more accurate and precise temperature control than competitors.
Interchangeable low cost temperature sensors - Only one sensor can be plugged into the controller at a time, but extra sensors may be purchased if you wish to leave one attached to each of your telescopes. Controller does not require recalibration when swapping sensors, a major advantage over competitors.
Differential Temperature Sensor - air and telescope temperature sensors are combined into one cable to minimize extra wires. Telescope sensor conveniently clips under heater strip and can easily be moved between telescopes. Six foot long cable matches the cord length of most heater strips. The Standard Sensor clips onto your heater strip for easy installation. For applications where a heater strip is not being used, an special Newtonian Sensor is available and the tip may be attached to the mirror with epoxy or other means  (CLICK HERE for more information on Newtonian Sensor).

HEATER VERSATILITY

The DewBuster™ Controller does not come with heater strips. You may use commercial 12V heater strips or have fun and save money building home-made heater strips. The DewBuster™ Controller has short-circuit protection so you never need to worry about heater faults damaging your controller and if something does happen your warranty covers any damage caused by mistakes you make building home-made heater strips. You'll have the flexibility to use any combination of home-made or mixing brands of heater strips without worrying about your warranty.

BATTERY SAVER

Conserves battery power - applies only as much heat as is needed to replace what is being lost to the sky. If insulation is wrapped around outside of heater, the controller reduces heater power which translates into longer battery run times.
Efficient - Pulse Width Modulated heater output circuitry with Power MOSFET drivers for maximum efficiency and longer battery run time.
Low Battery light - yellow light provides advanced warning of discharged battery. Light is normally off and when battery is discharged it begins to flicker dimly. Light brightens as battery weakens allowing you to monitor battery condition and disconnect unneeded loads (less battery load will cause the yellow light to dim since run time has been extended). When battery is exhausted the yellow light will remain on solid but the Temperature Controlled and Medium Power heater lights will be off since the heaters are shut down.
Smart low-battery circuit - senses low battery voltage and gradually reduces heater power to keep dew heaters operational as long as possible. Allows heaters to run as long as possible but will not allow damage to your battery. Provides peace of mind at a star party if you forget to turn it off when going to bed.

WARRANTY

30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee -- If you are not satisfied with your DewBuster™ Controller for any reason contact me for return instructions. You will be given a full refund minus shipping.
No-Hassle 2-Year Warranty -- Warranted to the original purchaser for a minimum of 2 years against failures of any kind including reverse power hookup and damage caused by shorted heaters regardless of brand or whether home-built. Failures beyond the 2 year period will be evaluated and in many cases repaired under good will. Repairs not covered under warranty or good will will be repaired for a very reasonable flat-rate fee. CLICK HERE for more information.

OWNERS MANUAL

Download DewBuster™ Controller Owner's Manual

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Includes everything but the heaters strips and power source:

DewBuster™ Controller
Dual Temperature Sensor Cable (both telescope and air sensors in one cable)
Velcro™ mounting strip
Owner's Manual

OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE :

  CLICK HERE  to order accessories without a controller

HOW TO PURCHASE

DewBuster™ Controllers are not sold through dealers, they are available only through this web site. They are not mass produced either, each controller is custom built so you can configure it to best meet your needs. Do not hesitate to contact me for recommendations or assistance. Filling out the order form is just step one, you will have the option of contacting me for advice and I can adjust your order before you submit your payment.

"Big Dob" DewBuster™ Controller

This is a special version of the DewBuster™ Controller tailored to the needs of the large Dobsonian telescope. It was developed in collaboration with Markless Astronomics to give the Big Dob owner the benefits of a dew controller with a built-in power distribution rail for powering accessories on the upper cage. Markless Astronomics has developed a mounting bracket, power cables, and DewGuard wiring kits to make the installation of the Big-Dob Dewbuster™ Controller a simple plug and play installation. Contact Charlie Starks of Markless Astronomics for information and assistance with the mounting bracket and wiring for installation of the controller on your telescope. The Big-Dob Dewbuster™ Controller may be ordered using the order form on this web site and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the controller or options available on the order form.

The Big-Dob Dewbuster™ Controller  has 5 Medium Power Heater Outputs (for eyepieces, Telrad, etc.) like the standard controller, but since most large Dob's use an AstroSystems Dew Guard on the secondary mirror the Temperature Sensor has been made optional to save you money (to implement Temperature Control just plug a sensor in, Temperature Sensors may be ordered with the controller under options or later by using the Accessories Order Form). The Temperature Controlled Heater Outputs may be used in Manual Mode as described in the Owners Manual, but the number has been reduced in order to provide 3 Power Outlets for 12V Accessories on the Upper Cage. A self-resetting PST fuse is used on the Power Input so the Accessory Power Outlets are protected but may provide up to 10 Amps of current (combined current of all 12V accessories and heaters is limited to 10 Amps by the PST fuse). Since large Dob's run RCA plug power cables to the Upper Cage, power input to the controller is through a female RCA jack (an optional RCA to Cigarette Plug Power Cord is available if you would also like to use the controller on a Grab&Go scope). The price of the "Big Dob" DewBuster™ Controller is $150.

CLICK HERE for the "Big Dob" DewBuster™ Controller order form.