JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
#2648756 - 09/17/08 11:29 PM Attachment (191 downloads)
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648758 - 09/17/08 11:29 PM Attachment (164 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Here it is extended all the way:
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648760 - 09/17/08 11:30 PM Attachment (132 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
The casting:
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648762 - 09/17/08 11:30 PM Attachment (116 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
The control box:
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648790 - 09/17/08 11:44 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: NeoDinian]
#2648796 - 09/17/08 11:48 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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?
|
Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece
Reged: 11/26/05
Loc: Alaska, USA
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648814 - 09/18/08 12:01 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
nice work
|
NeoDinian
Experienced Postmaster
Reged: 10/05/05
Loc: Rockford Illinois
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648821 - 09/18/08 12:09 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: NeoDinian]
#2648838 - 09/18/08 12:21 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
David Pavlich
Transmographied
Reged: 05/18/05
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: JerryWise]
#2648872 - 09/18/08 12:46 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Iain Barker
member
Reged: 12/26/08
|
Re: AP Mach 1 on Linak LP2 lift elevator
[Re: David Pavlich]
#3395860 - 10/18/09 10:14 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
