Saturday I received the machined aluminum replacement LX80 tripod top. The machinist did a first rate job. It was easy to swap components from the factory top to the new one. The only issue I had was in removing the E-Clips that retain the mount head bolts in the tripod top. They are NOT made out of spring steel and one broke during bolt removal. I posted several photos of the conversion process to my PhotoBucket site:
http://s25.beta.phot...mp/library/LX80
Each leg trunions is made out of solid 2"x1.5" aluminum and is attached to the 3/8" thick aluminum top with 3 stainless steel bolts.
Jack Huerkamp
Lx80 Multi-mount
Started by
James Cunningham
, Oct 01 2012 01:59 PM
188 replies to this topic
#101
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 22 October 2012 - 11:49 AM
#102
dmdouglass
-
-
- Posts: 2,128
- Joined: 23 Dec 2007
Vanguard
Posted 22 October 2012 - 02:23 PM
Now that is what i would call a "Serious Aftermarket Upgrade". And i am certainly qualified to say that is major improvement ! Well done!
#103
neilson
-
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Viking 1
Posted 22 October 2012 - 09:52 PM
Hi Jack,
You did a real nice job on that tripod top. Your OTA's are safe from tripod failure now.
neilson
You did a real nice job on that tripod top. Your OTA's are safe from tripod failure now.
neilson
#104
Raginar
-
-
- Posts: 11,176
- Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Voyager 1
Posted 23 October 2012 - 01:49 AM
That's beautiful. Your machinist is good!
#105
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 23 October 2012 - 07:47 AM
The machinist did a great job on the top replacement. Hopefully Meade does just as good a job at tightening up the play in the drives. I should get the mount back from Meade in a week or two. They have had it since the first of October.
I will be ordering more tripod tops from the machinist if anyone is interested in converting their tripods.
Jack
I will be ordering more tripod tops from the machinist if anyone is interested in converting their tripods.
Jack
#106
brokenwave
-
-
- Posts: 401
- Joined: 10 May 2011
Messenger
Posted 23 October 2012 - 11:10 AM
Jack, What would the cost be for one?
#107
neilson
-
-
- Posts: 703
- Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Viking 1
Posted 23 October 2012 - 11:18 AM
Hi Jack,
I'm interested in seeing if they figure a way to tighten those drives myself. That was the biggest problem I had and was never able to get resolved.
neilson
I'm interested in seeing if they figure a way to tighten those drives myself. That was the biggest problem I had and was never able to get resolved.
neilson
#108
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 23 October 2012 - 06:16 PM
I really hope they do, as I like the mount. IT does work well with lighter scopes - 6" Celestron and Lunt80. I just hope it works with the C9.25.
Jack
Jack
#109
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 23 October 2012 - 06:19 PM
I received two prototypes on Saturday, installed one on my tripod and sold the other one for $200 plus $12 USPS Priority. These two tops were shipped to me by Rock Mallin with an order of cameras and accessories, so there was no additional S/H from Canada to me. I hope to keep the next ones close to the $200 price plus postage.
Jack
Jack
#110
Starhawk
-
-
- Posts: 6,634
- Joined: 16 Sep 2008
Space Ranger
Posted 23 October 2012 - 06:31 PM
Well, at there will be at least one competently made part on an LX 80 or two.
-Rich
-Rich
#111
JimMo
-
-
- Posts: 9,708
- Joined: 08 Jan 2007
I'd Rather Do It Myself
Posted 29 October 2012 - 05:35 PM
The machinist did a great job on the top replacement. Hopefully Meade does just as good a job at tightening up the play in the drives. I should get the mount back from Meade in a week or two. They have had it since the first of October.
I will be ordering more tripod tops from the machinist if anyone is interested in converting their tripods.
Jack
Hi Jack,
I just received the replacement tripod top. It took all of 20 minutes to swap out the cast metal one for the aluminum machined one. Looks pretty cool and it'll be next to impossible to snap off a leg. I still want to mount the hand control somewhere but I've been using velcro for the time being. Here is a pic. Thanks Jack, I think it looks very nice.
Attached Thumbnails
#112
Mkofski
-
-
- Posts: 1,605
- Joined: 19 Jul 2011
Surveyor 1
Posted 29 October 2012 - 05:45 PM
JimMo,
That top does look nice! Guess I'm too old and cheap! But then again, I don't have a $3,000 OTA on the tripod.
I don't have any play in the drives on my mount. Meade must have found someway to eliminate it.
That top does look nice! Guess I'm too old and cheap! But then again, I don't have a $3,000 OTA on the tripod.
I don't have any play in the drives on my mount. Meade must have found someway to eliminate it.
#113
brokenwave
-
-
- Posts: 401
- Joined: 10 May 2011
Messenger
Posted 29 October 2012 - 06:31 PM
JimMo,
Nielson came up with using the controller bracket from a LX90 or LX200, Meade Product Number: 07580 ($20).
Just have to add a piece of velcro around the rail, because the clamp is slightly larger than the hand grip rail diameter. Not perfect but does the job. Again Thx, Nielson.
Nielson came up with using the controller bracket from a LX90 or LX200, Meade Product Number: 07580 ($20).
Just have to add a piece of velcro around the rail, because the clamp is slightly larger than the hand grip rail diameter. Not perfect but does the job. Again Thx, Nielson.
#114
JimMo
-
-
- Posts: 9,708
- Joined: 08 Jan 2007
I'd Rather Do It Myself
Posted 29 October 2012 - 07:06 PM
I just mounted the LX80 and have to comment on the machining. Don't know how much more stable it is than the original but I was able to put more pressure on the spreader knob as I wasn't afraid it would break. The mount indexed with the top precisely with the three bolts holes perfectly aligned with the bottom of the mount and the bolts easily threaded in. With the original one they were alway hard to turn and I was always afraid I was cross threading them.
The mount feels rock solid, more so than before due to the leg spreader being tighter. Anyway, I'm a sucker for doing modifications as it gives me an excuse to hang out in my shop. I don't think this tripod will need any more mods, though, at least for strength. I was going to make another leg spreader lower down to keep the legs from expanding too far but with the new top that's not necessary.
One thing I'd suggest to Jack on future runs is to round over the three square leg mounts a little bit on the top edge so they are not so sharp. I might take it apart and do this, just enough to make it less likely to catch on something or scratch it.
The mount feels rock solid, more so than before due to the leg spreader being tighter. Anyway, I'm a sucker for doing modifications as it gives me an excuse to hang out in my shop. I don't think this tripod will need any more mods, though, at least for strength. I was going to make another leg spreader lower down to keep the legs from expanding too far but with the new top that's not necessary.
One thing I'd suggest to Jack on future runs is to round over the three square leg mounts a little bit on the top edge so they are not so sharp. I might take it apart and do this, just enough to make it less likely to catch on something or scratch it.
Attached Thumbnails
#115
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 29 October 2012 - 08:02 PM
Jim,
You coment mimics what I passed onto the machinist when he sent me images of the two units he sent to me. He did put a slight chamfer on the edges to avoid sharp corners; but I think rounding off at least the top edges of the trunions with a 1/4" radius would be preferred. If there is enough interest in this replacement tripod top, I will see if I can convince the machinist to add this tweak to his design.
Jack Huerkamp
You coment mimics what I passed onto the machinist when he sent me images of the two units he sent to me. He did put a slight chamfer on the edges to avoid sharp corners; but I think rounding off at least the top edges of the trunions with a 1/4" radius would be preferred. If there is enough interest in this replacement tripod top, I will see if I can convince the machinist to add this tweak to his design.
Jack Huerkamp
#116
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 29 October 2012 - 08:04 PM
Jim,
I am glad that the LX80 head dropped precisely onto the replacement top. My LX80 is still at Meade Service - been there since the 1st. Hopefully I will get it back soon so I can see if the combination of the stronger top and whatever they are able to do to the mount will allow me to use my C9.25" OTA on it.
Jack Huerkamp
I am glad that the LX80 head dropped precisely onto the replacement top. My LX80 is still at Meade Service - been there since the 1st. Hopefully I will get it back soon so I can see if the combination of the stronger top and whatever they are able to do to the mount will allow me to use my C9.25" OTA on it.
Jack Huerkamp
#117
mmalik
-
-
-
- Posts: 14,314
- Joined: 13 Jan 2012
DSLR camera modifications
Posted 30 October 2012 - 03:28 AM
Hopefully Meade does just as good a job at tightening up the play in the drives.
Thanks for your efforts on custom mod; it looks great.
I am a bit leery though if mount’s infrastructure is worth the mod of this caliber. I wish it was just the matter of tightening up the play, precision tracking and especially guiding remains to be tested. Claimed weight bearing capacities remains un-tested as well.
If nothing else, mod would give few "visual" observers peace of mind.
#118
Starhawk
-
-
- Posts: 6,634
- Joined: 16 Sep 2008
Space Ranger
Posted 30 October 2012 - 01:13 PM
Start a sideline making full tripods, I say. It's not like there aren't any mounts needing them.
-Rich
-Rich
#119
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 30 October 2012 - 01:33 PM
Rich,
The only part of the tripod that I see as an issue is the top plate. It is inadequate to handle the loads exerted on it. I thought about making a spreader assembly to keep the legs from being able to be opened too much. But replacing the top with one like the machinist made for me provided the security I was looking for.
Jack
The only part of the tripod that I see as an issue is the top plate. It is inadequate to handle the loads exerted on it. I thought about making a spreader assembly to keep the legs from being able to be opened too much. But replacing the top with one like the machinist made for me provided the security I was looking for.
Jack
#120
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 30 October 2012 - 02:04 PM
My wife notified me that UPS just delivered the LX80 mount head. Tonight I will unpack it and see if Meade figured out how to eliminate the looseness in the axes.
Hopefully the mount will now prove useful form my Celestron 9.25" OTA.
Jack Huerkamp
Hopefully the mount will now prove useful form my Celestron 9.25" OTA.
Jack Huerkamp
#121
Starhawk
-
-
- Posts: 6,634
- Joined: 16 Sep 2008
Space Ranger
Posted 30 October 2012 - 02:25 PM
I was thinking beyond the LX 80- a general purpose tripod.
-Rich
-Rich
#122
frolinmod
-
-
- Posts: 2,127
- Joined: 06 Aug 2010
Vanguard
Posted 30 October 2012 - 04:35 PM
Rob Miller sells tripods. But they cost about as much as an LX-80 mount.
#123
Jack Huerkamp
-
-
-
- Posts: 1,089
- Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Vendor - Waning Moon
Posted 30 October 2012 - 05:17 PM
When I got home from work, I quickly unpacked the LX80 mount head to see what Meade Service had been able to accomplish. Before placing the mount onto the tripod, I read the service ticket to see what they had done to the mount. I had reported too much play in the axes (especially the Azimuth axis) and had sent them links to the YouTube videos I posted clearly showing the problem. Their service tech reported "Motor's were to tight, forced motor's" and "Adjusted motors". I also found an "RGA Traveler/Checklist" that stated "Flag for Mexico". I don't know if this means that servicing was done in Mexico.
So to correct play in the axes, the technician losened up the motors. As a mechanical engineer, this seems to me to be the opposite of what was needed.
I set up the mount and C9.25" OTA with Celestron 22# counterweight and check the play in RA. It was basically the same as when I sent the mount in for servicing.
I assume that the mount is incapable of carrying a 20# OTA and will have to limit the mount's use to Alt-Az with either my Lunt80 or my Celestron 6".
Maybe one day Meade will get the issues with the LX80 corrected. But at this time, that is not the case.
Jack Huerkamp
So to correct play in the axes, the technician losened up the motors. As a mechanical engineer, this seems to me to be the opposite of what was needed.
I set up the mount and C9.25" OTA with Celestron 22# counterweight and check the play in RA. It was basically the same as when I sent the mount in for servicing.
I assume that the mount is incapable of carrying a 20# OTA and will have to limit the mount's use to Alt-Az with either my Lunt80 or my Celestron 6".
Maybe one day Meade will get the issues with the LX80 corrected. But at this time, that is not the case.
Jack Huerkamp
#124
JimMo
-
-
- Posts: 9,708
- Joined: 08 Jan 2007
I'd Rather Do It Myself
Posted 30 October 2012 - 06:03 PM
That's too bad Jack. I'll be interested in what they'll say this time. 
My mount still has no play whatsoever in the RA bearing, although the heaviest scope I've mounted so far is a TV85. AFAIK I'm one of only a few that can say that.
My mount still has no play whatsoever in the RA bearing, although the heaviest scope I've mounted so far is a TV85. AFAIK I'm one of only a few that can say that.
#125
Mkofski
-
-
- Posts: 1,605
- Joined: 19 Jul 2011
Surveyor 1
Posted 30 October 2012 - 06:16 PM
Jim,
I have had about 20 pounds on my mount with out problems with play in either AltAz or Polar mode. It looks as if some have a problem and some don't. When did you receive your mount?
I have had about 20 pounds on my mount with out problems with play in either AltAz or Polar mode. It looks as if some have a problem and some don't. When did you receive your mount?
CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.
Recent Topics
-
-
Sigma Art 35 F1.4 aperure blades stuck and not moving
gregbradley - Today, 07:55 AM
DSLR, Mirrorless & General-Purpose Digital Camera DSO Imaging
-
Saturn this morning - 5/14/24 - Clouds FINALLY went away for a couple days coming updcaponeii - Today, 07:53 AM
Major & Minor Planetary Imaging
-
-
-
Observing / Imaging OUT WEST in December - Locations ? ? ?Daniel Dance - Today, 07:00 AM
General Observing and Astronomy
-
-
Newtonians with 1.25 inch secondary mirrors...less obstruction.. better image?Princess Leah - Today, 05:04 AM
Reflectors
-
-
