7. Maintenance and Servicing
7.1. Maintenance
The SmartStar® Solar 60TM telescope is a precision optical instrument designed to yield a lifetime of rewarding applications. Given the care and respect due any precision instrument, your telescope will rarely require factory servicing or maintenance. Maintenance guidelines include:
1.Do not touch the solar filter coating with hard objects.
2.Using wet cloth to clean the mount and hand controller. Do not use chemicals or household cleaners.
3.Leave the dust cap on while not operating the telescope. Avoid cleaning the telescope’s optics. A little dust on the front surface of the telescope’s correcting lens causes virtually no degradation of image quality and should not be considered a reason to clean the lens.
4.When absolutely necessary, dust on the solar filter and front lens should be removed with gentle strokes of a camel hair brush, a soft glass clean cloth or blown off with an ear syringe (available at any pharmacy). Do not use a commercial photographic lens cleaner.
5.Organic materials (e.g., fingerprints) on the front lens may be removed with a solution of 3 parts distilled water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol. Use soft, white facial tissues or cotton balls and make short, gentle strokes. Change tissues often. Do not use scented, colored, or lotioned tissues as damage could result to the optics.
6.If your telescope is used outdoors on a humid night, telescope surfaces may accumulate water condensation. While such condensation does not normally cause any damage to the telescope, it is recommended that wait the entire telescope be dried before being packed away. Do not wipe any of the optical surfaces. In addition, the dust cap should not be placed back on to the optical tube until the telescope is thoroughly dry.
7.If your telescope is not to be used for an extended period, perhaps for one month or more, it is advisable to remove the batteries from battery holder, if they are installed. Batteries left installed for prolonged periods may leak, causing damage to the telescope’s electronic circuitry.
8.Do not leave your telescope outdoors on a warm day or inside a sealed car for an extended period of time. Excessive ambient temperatures can damage the telescope’s internal lubrication and electronic circuitry.
7.2. Storage and Transport
When not in use, store the telescope in a cool, dry place. Do not expose the instrument to excessive heat or moisture. It is best to store the telescope in its original box with the altitude lock knob unlocked. If shipping the telescope, use the original box and packing material to protect the telescope during shipment.
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