The Celestron Dew Heater Ring protects your telescope’s Schmidt lens from fogging. It replaces the original retaining ring and remains installed on the tube. This product listing offers 6″, 8″, 9.25″, 11″, and 14″ versions; choose the one that matches your specific telescope model.
Price range: CHF 54.90 through CHF 229.00
Part Number CELESTRON-DEW-HEATER-RING
The Celestron Dew Heater Ring protects your telescope’s Schmidt lens from fogging. It replaces the original retaining ring and remains installed on the tube. This product listing offers 6″, 8″, 9.25″, 11″, and 14″ versions; choose the one that matches your specific telescope model.
Field Report from Carlos: «Adjust the heat gently and gradually: excessive heat can warp the blade and damage the image. When adjusted properly, this ring works like a charm in the field.»
The heating element acts directly in contact with the glass, rather than heating the cell from outside the tube. The aluminum structure also provides mechanical support for the slide. The built-in clips allow you to store the power and thermistor connectors when the ring is not in use, so you can replace the telescope cap.
The ring operates on an external 12 V DC power supply equipped with a 5.5/2.1 mm connector (center positive). When connected directly, it heats continuously at full power: the built-in thermistor does not regulate the temperature in this case. The power supply must be provided separately and must be capable of delivering the maximum current required for the selected size.
To adjust the heating to actual conditions, Celestron recommends a Smart DewHeater Controller, sold separately. This controller uses the ring’s thermistor and its measurements of ambient temperature and humidity to provide the necessary heat. The included extension cable also allows connection to other compatible controllers, but the built-in thermistor is designed for use with Celestron controllers.
In its documentation, Celestron notes that at full power, the 11″ and 14″ models may slightly degrade optical performance under certain conditions. The manufacturer specifically recommends using a controller for these sizes. A defogger, available separately, also reduces the power required to keep the slide fog-free.
Installation requires care: the ring helps secure the lens. Read the manual before performing any work, place the tube vertically with the aperture facing upward, and use the paper cover provided. Maintain the position and orientation of the slide without adjusting its centering screws. Tighten the screws gradually in a crisscross pattern, without using excessive force.
The package includes the heating ring, the cable management clip, the power extension cord, and the paper mounting protector. Check the compatibility in the table before choosing your model. For 8″, 11″, and 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, the tube generation also matters: models manufactured before 2006 are not compatible.
| Version | Compatibility and Manufacturer Specifications |
|---|---|
| 6″ | Celestron 6″ Schmidt-Cassegrain. Maximum power: 12 W. Weight: 62.2 g. |
| 8″ | Celestron 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes manufactured since 2006, 8″ EdgeHD, and RASA 8. Maximum power: 20 W. Weight: 86.5 g. |
| 9.25″ | Celestron 9.25″ Schmidt-Cassegrain and 9.25″ EdgeHD. Maximum power: 24 W. Weight: 117.5 g. |
| 11″ | Celestron 11″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes manufactured since 2006, EdgeHD 11″, and RASA 11. Maximum power: 30 W. Weight: 133.0 g. |
| 14″ | Celestron 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes manufactured since 2006, 14″ EdgeHD, and 36 cm RASA. Maximum power: 52 W. Weight: 195.2 g. |
| Construction | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 12 V DC, 5.5/2.1 mm connector, center positive |
| Thermistor | Built-in 2.5 mm audio jack for Celestron Smart DewHeater controllers |
| Maximum current | 6″: 1.0 A; 8″: 1.7 A; 9.25″: 2.0 A; 11″: 2.5 A; 14″: 4.4 A |
