JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Some time back Jeff (aka Neodinian) found some Linak LP2 lift columns on EBay. In a thread, we were trying to decide if this was the same lift used by an astronomy pier maker. We later found they weren't. I bought one, compared the specs and it was obvious the pier maker used a much heavier lift.
It was over in a corner of the shop gathering dust when I decided a mount on the patio would sure make a quick look-see convenient. Much better than opening up an observatory just to plink around. The only pier I had was shortened for a 14" LX200 GPS. Out of curiosity I put the Linak lift on it and the height was just right. After drilling a couple holes, putting a control box on and some minor adjustments the finished product was tested. It is a much better mount than I thought. Quite stable with a Mach 1 mount on top. From all the way down to all the way up an object stays centered in the FOV (19mm Panoptic in C6). The lift column casting has rollers pressing against the center column keeping it precisely aligned. The switch and box cost $4.00 at a cable supply store.
Overall, the Mach 1 mount is about perfect mounted on the lift and pier. Lag bolting the pier to a plywood floor/sunroom roof makes the mount a little tender for Astrophotography. However, it's fine for visual.
Link to Linak specifications.
This is with the mount all the way down.
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Here it is extended all the way:
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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The casting:
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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The control box:
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Jerry
Celestron C-11
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12717
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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For the record, I STILL think it is the LP2... But there are 2 models... I also think you can CUSTOM order the height (What they probably do), although the thrust height is the same since the actuator is the same.
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Neo... (Jeff)
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10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
 Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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I don't recall the thread that well. How did we decide it wasn't this lift Jeff? Did another poster say they used a different one?
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Jerry
Celestron C-11
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Mike Clemens
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/26/05
Posts: 4266
Loc: Wasilla, Alaska 61N
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nice work
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historius apochromaticus
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NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 12717
Loc: Rockford Illinois
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Quote:
I don't recall the thread that well. How did we decide it wasn't this lift Jeff? Did another poster say they used a different one?
Actually, we didn't know this was the lift until you bought it and saw the size... That's when we figured out it was made in 2 sizes, and you got the small one. Remember, it wasn't bought FROM linak... You bought it from a Linak distributor (if I remember right) on EBay...
Looking at the diagrams of all the lifts they (Linak) sells, the shape of the LP2 was identical to the Piertech pier, just "Upside-down".
Without calling Linak and inquiring about custom sizes, I would say that the Piertech is either the LP2-5, or a custom size.
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Neo... (Jeff)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
10" LX200-GPS/SMT UHTC "Draco"
Rockford, Il.
NeoDinian's Eye on the Sky!
Coming soon:
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JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 7834
Loc: Lexington, SC
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Ok, I remember now. I like the LP2 mounted as shown above. Seems more stable with the outside casting down in the higher leverage area. It really is a solid piece of gear. Tks Jeff.
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Jerry
Celestron C-11
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8655
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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Really cool, Jerry! You ought to do a write up on it and submit it to Astronomy Technology Today. It's just the kind of thing they like to print. Great work!!
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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Iain Barker
member
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 48
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List as a followup, this article shows the Pier-Tech is a DL2 not the LP2
http://www.dd1us.de/Downloads/A%20telescopic%20column%20as%20a%20pier%20for%20your%20telescope%200v4.pdf
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