Silica Gel with coloured indicator, reusable, 125ml (desiccant)

Baader Silica Gel Desiccant

Why use a desiccant?

Moisture can affect optics, filters, cameras and other sensitive astronomical equipment. Condensation can occur particularly easily when cold equipment is brought into a warmer environment after an observing session and is then stored in a closed case or container.

Silica gel absorbs moisture from the surrounding air and helps keep the air inside enclosed spaces dry. A small bag or pouch containing silica gel can, for example, be placed inside a telescope, accessory case, camera case or storage cabinet. This helps reduce condensation on objectives, mirrors or Schmidt corrector plates and protects sensitive optical equipment from moisture during storage and transport.

This is particularly effective if the telescope is subsequently kept as isolated as possible from humid ambient air, for example by using a star diagonal or a plane glass plate/filter in the focuser.

Notes:

• For Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, we offer a 2" filter holder that can accommodate any suitable 2" filter, such as clear glass or a UV/IR cut filter. This allows the interior of the optical tube to be largely sealed off from the surrounding air.
• High-quality filters, such as H-alpha or SolarSpectrum filters, should be protected particularly carefully from moisture and stored in a dry environment whenever possible.

Baader Silica Gel with Color Indicator:

The integrated color indicator makes it easy to check whether the silica gel can still absorb sufficient moisture or should be regenerated.

• When dry, the beads are bright orange/pink. As they absorb more moisture, the color gradually becomes paler until the beads are largely white or transparent.
• This makes it easy to estimate the saturation level and determine when regeneration is required.

Start

after approx. 2 hours

after approx. 4 hours

To reuse the silica gel, spread the beads as evenly and thinly as possible on a heat-resistant plate and dry them gently in an oven at approx. 70 °C (158 °F). As a general guideline, drying takes approximately 2 to 3 hours; depending on the amount of silica gel and its saturation level, the required drying time may vary. Therefore, also use the color indicator as a guide. Once the beads have returned to their bright orange/pink color, allow them to cool before using them again.

Important: Do not use significantly higher temperatures. Excessive heat can permanently discolor the beads or damage the color indicator.

CAUTION: Do not reactivate the silica gel in a microwave oven.