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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Big Problem with TMB130 Lens
#5631700 - 01/19/13 02:55 PM

Something is terribly wrong with the lens in my TMB130. It looks like an o ring has come lose (not sure if that is possible) or perhaps one of the lenses. The item in question rattles when the tube is rotated. I was out looking at Saturn last night and was not able to get a clean focus. I figured it was my eyesight and thought nothing of it. Today I had the scope out to look at some light poles and thats when I noticed the "iten"dangling inside the lens.

Help Please.
Link to the pictures I took.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39872531@N05/

Post Extras:

WilRobinson
sage

Reged: 02/04/08

Loc: Near the cloud machine

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5631717 - 01/19/13 03:04 PM

Is that behind the lense cell?

Post Extras:

Gord
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/06/04

Loc: Toronto, ON, Canada

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5631718 - 01/19/13 03:04 PM

Appears to be some sort of spacer. If the lenses separate (and allowed it to drop down), it would likely affect the images. I believe these are triplets, between which elements is it?

It's interesting as it looks like a ring like you say, but I usually see tabs used as spacers.

Clear skies,

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Gord]
#5631736 - 01/19/13 03:16 PM

I unscrewed the cell from the tube. It is a rubber o-ring and it does sit behind the cell, and not in between the lenses. The o-ring can be pushed back into the cell, but it does not want to stay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39872531@N05/8396297154/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39872531@N05/8396297216/in/photostream

Post Extras:

dedo
member

Reged: 06/04/10

Loc: Italy, Rome

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5631742 - 01/19/13 03:21 PM

Did you noticed if the front retaining ring is too tight or too much loose? Just a guess here since I do not know tmb cells designs.

Edited by dedo (01/19/13 03:21 PM)

Post Extras:

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5631750 - 01/19/13 03:23 PM

I would call Astronomics ASAP. They put them together and should know where that o-ring belongs.

HTH,

Ron

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: dedo]
#5631756 - 01/19/13 03:25 PM

The front retaining ring seems fine. The o-ring sits in the space between the cell and the cell threads. The area that has the collimation screws.

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: RAKing]
#5631763 - 01/19/13 03:29 PM

Quote:

I would call Astronomics ASAP. They put them together and should know where that o-ring belongs.

HTH,

Ron

Just called them. No tech support on Saturday. Hopefully Fred or Mike from Astronomic's will see this thread and chime in.

Post Extras:

BillP
Postmaster

Reged: 11/26/06

Loc: Vienna, VA

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5631947 - 01/19/13 05:52 PM

While you can push it back into the cell, that probably does not seat it in its correct position. Definitely wait for Astronomics to call, but would bet is an easy user fix that might require you taking the lens cell out so you can properly re-seat the ring. Usually taking the lens cell out of a scope is no big deal...I've taken the cell out of my TSA-102 just for grins.

Post Extras:

pollux
artiste

Reged: 04/01/04

Loc: Burnaby Canada

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: BillP]
#5632124 - 01/19/13 07:47 PM

Sorry to hear that Zach

Post Extras:

Jim7728
Postmaster

Reged: 04/10/05

Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: pollux]
#5632174 - 01/19/13 08:19 PM

Yikes, hope it's simple fix. Nice coatings.

Post Extras:

chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Tokyo Japan

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Jim7728]
#5632266 - 01/19/13 09:48 PM

Most likely this part holds the lens in place, so if it comes out of position the spacing between the lenses will be off.
If possible have it fixed by a professional rather than atempting a fix yourself.

best regards
Chris

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Jim7728]
#5632275 - 01/19/13 09:53 PM

Thanks guys.

I already removed the cell from the tube. I tried getting the ring to stay in place but it would not corporate. I think it will need a new ring and maybe to be recollimated. I'll give Astronomics a call Monday and see what they suggest. Thanks for the help.

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: chboss]
#5632279 - 01/19/13 09:55 PM

Quote:

Most likely this part holds the lens in place, so if it comes out of position the spacing between the lenses will be off.
If possible have it fixed by a professional rather than atempting a fix yourself.

best regards
Chris

I agree. I'd rather Astromomics fix than try it myself. I'm not that great at refractor collimation.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5632754 - 01/20/13 09:03 AM

Quote:

I agree. I'd rather Astromomics fix than try it myself. I'm not that great at refractor collimation.

You have a very nice lens and it would sad to mess it up... It is my understanding that triplets are extremely sensitive to centering so it has to be right.

Jon

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5633228 - 01/20/13 01:30 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I agree. I'd rather Astromomics fix than try it myself. I'm not that great at refractor collimation.

You have a very nice lens and it would sad to mess it up... It is my understanding that triplets are extremely sensitive to centering so it has to be right.

Jon

Yeah its better for the factory to handle fixing it. When I tried to recollimated my AT130 I thought I had done a good job. That is until I took it out under the stars. Needless to say it wasn't good.

Looks like the AR5 will be back in action for a little while.

Post Extras:

Rutilus
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/17/10

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5633477 - 01/20/13 04:04 PM Attachment (56 downloads)

I had the same problem with my Evostar 150mm f/8.

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Rutilus]
#5633619 - 01/20/13 05:30 PM

That's a bummer. I suppose it's a common issue. Hopefully it won't take long to get repaired.

Post Extras:

Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: zjc26138]
#5633936 - 01/20/13 09:12 PM

Zach, sorry to hear about your scope's issue. I don't think that it's a very common problem, though, as I've never heard of this type of thing occurring before today. Hopefully it'll be an issue that's easily fixed, and your scope will be back in action in no time! Let us know how it all turns out.

Post Extras:

zjc26138
Loved By All

Reged: 02/24/05

Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio

Re: Big Problem with TMB130 Lens new

[Re: Scott in NC]
#5633943 - 01/20/13 09:17 PM

Thanks Scott!

Yeah I'm hoping it's an easy fix, I'd hate to be without my TMB for a long time.

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