I suppose since the temperature is dipping below freeaing I should know this in advance. ?:| I bought the Orion stuff, but ohter instructions for making it online (mixing it yourself) use water. Yes it's best not to try to clean optics in the field but when you have to drive a long way for dark skies you want to make some sort of an attempt before losing the whole night to one fingerprint on a lens.....
Does Lens Cleaning Fluid Freeze?....
Started by slug381, 11/25/2005 06:58AM
Posted 11/25/2005 06:58AM
Opening Post
Posted 11/25/2005 08:46AM
#1
Doug,
The freezing point drops with a higher concentration of alcohol. I don't know the composition of the Orion lens cleaning solution, but I'd guess that it's not likely to freeze until the temperature drops well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I seriously wouldn't attempt to use any liquid in extreme conditions. If you want some insurance against fingerprint disasters, I'd keep a plastic syringe pump or bulb syringe for blowing off particles and one or two fresh, new, unopened microfiber lens cleaning cloths (look near the contact lens solutions at Wal Mart, for example, for small ones, about 7"x6"). Then if disaster strikes you can blow off particles and break out a fresh, clean microfiber cloth to save the day. I generally do not recommend lens pens, but here is an application for a fresh lens pen as well.
--
Mike
The freezing point drops with a higher concentration of alcohol. I don't know the composition of the Orion lens cleaning solution, but I'd guess that it's not likely to freeze until the temperature drops well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I seriously wouldn't attempt to use any liquid in extreme conditions. If you want some insurance against fingerprint disasters, I'd keep a plastic syringe pump or bulb syringe for blowing off particles and one or two fresh, new, unopened microfiber lens cleaning cloths (look near the contact lens solutions at Wal Mart, for example, for small ones, about 7"x6"). Then if disaster strikes you can blow off particles and break out a fresh, clean microfiber cloth to save the day. I generally do not recommend lens pens, but here is an application for a fresh lens pen as well.
--
Mike
Posted 11/25/2005 10:07PM
#3
Hi Doug, 
A telescope technician here in Sydney recommended a synthetic grease for moving parts on a scope, it doesn't bind up in the cold and does not melt or drip in the heat.It's called Super Lube and it's made in the U.S. I've used it in both extremes and it works very well. The website is www.super-lube.com.cheers, John 
A telescope technician here in Sydney recommended a synthetic grease for moving parts on a scope, it doesn't bind up in the cold and does not melt or drip in the heat.It's called Super Lube and it's made in the U.S. I've used it in both extremes and it works very well. The website is www.super-lube.com.cheers, John Doug Cimperman said:
I suppose since the temperature is dipping below freeaing I should know this in advance. ?:| I bought the Orion stuff, but ohter instructions for making it online (mixing it yourself) use water. Yes it's best not to try to clean optics in the field but when you have to drive a long way for dark skies you want to make some sort of an attempt before losing the whole night to one fingerprint on a lens.....
Funding Member
