1675 replies to this topic

[Rugheimer]

It appears I have fallen into the ownership of a quite unusual serial number.  I own serial number 97.  Paul Rugheimer in Bozeman, MT if you want to add it to the registry.

 

I repaired a few problems with it for family friends a number of years ago, and since they are now downsizing, they gave me the telescope.  I think I recall a relative of theirs gave it to them 20 or 30 years ago.   So as far as I understand it, I am the 3rd owner, but no money changed hands since the original purchase.

 

It does indeed have the axial focus, although a side 'button' is there which moves when the focus knob is turned.   Let me know if anyone has any questions about this original model.

 

I was searching for information on clock/motor drives when I stumbled across this thread.  From my searching I seem to have found that its ordinary household 110V AC power that should be applied to the two leads.  I found some good info at http://www.astronomyasylum.com/c8.html in case that link is of help to anyone else.

 

 

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[Kasmos]

It appears I have fallen into the ownership of a quite unusual serial number.  I own serial number 97.  Paul Rugheimer in Bozeman, MT if you want to add it to the registry.

 

I repaired a few problems with it for family friends a number of years ago, and since they are now downsizing, they gave me the telescope.  I think I recall a relative of theirs gave it to them 20 or 30 years ago.   So as far as I understand it, I am the 3rd owner, but no money changed hands since the original purchase.

 

It does indeed have the axial focus, although a side 'button' is there which moves when the focus knob is turned.   Let me know if anyone has any questions about this original model.

 

I was searching for information on clock/motor drives when I stumbled across this thread.  From my searching I seem to have found that its ordinary household 110V AC power that should be applied to the two leads.  I found some good info at http://www.astronomyasylum.com/c8.html in case that link is of help to anyone else.

From the close ups it looks like the tri-color velvetone paint might be in much better shape then most of these old ones.

How about a few shots of the whole scope?

[Glenn Graham]

Another for the list. Bought this scope new. As a kid I worked as a summer camp counselor for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) back in the ‘70s. Purchased it from the museum’s store.

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[Glenn Graham]

It appears I have fallen into the ownership of a quite unusual serial number.  I own serial number 97.  Paul Rugheimer in Bozeman, MT if you want to add it to the registry.

 

I repaired a few problems with it for family friends a number of years ago, and since they are now downsizing, they gave me the telescope.  I think I recall a relative of theirs gave it to them 20 or 30 years ago.   So as far as I understand it, I am the 3rd owner, but no money changed hands since the original purchase.

 

It does indeed have the axial focus, although a side 'button' is there which moves when the focus knob is turned.   Let me know if anyone has any questions about this original model.

 

I was searching for information on clock/motor drives when I stumbled across this thread.  From my searching I seem to have found that its ordinary household 110V AC power that should be applied to the two leads.  I found some good info at http://www.astronomyasylum.com/c8.html in case that link is of help to anyone else.

Oh yes, please provide more photos. That scope looks like it is fantastic shape. I am working on early C8 similar in vintage but it’s finish is totally shot. I am also curious whether some of the knobs and levers on mine are original or modified.

Edited by Glenn Graham, 25 July 2018 - 06:08 PM.

[Augustus]

My C8 has been sold to slsnider423.

[gcdunlap]

 

Here is my Super C8 (#822151) I picked up a few years ago. It was in several pieces, and I spent a few years working off and on putting it back together. I had to replace a broken tripod leg, and the mirror on the diagonal was in poor shape, but other than that it was in good condition. I ended up replacing the existing wedge, as I wanted something a little sturdier than what was on it.
 
It has the Buyers Worm Drive (with the window), and the declination can be adjusted manually, or with the servo-driven handheld. White I was looking for replacement parts I found spares for all the electronics (just in case). It has the 8x50 illuminated finderscope, and diecast forks. My best guess is that it was produced in late 83-early 84.   
 
The OTA (with Starbright Coatings) is in surprisingly good shape. I recently sent it off to Celestron for a good cleaning, and to have the focuser cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. They also laser-collimated the telescope while they had it.

 

 

 

Edited by gcdunlap, 28 July 2018 - 06:58 AM.

[Returning-to-the-sky]

Another one for the registry: the serial number for my C8 is 800150 and, as I recollect, my father purchased it in either 1977 or 78.  It has been in storage for a lot of years in its original case.  It seems to have endured very well: I got it out earlier this week and gave it a spin, terrestrially, and the optics are still as good as ever.

 

Unfortunately, I don’t have any paperwork associated with the C8 - is, was, there any user guide/manual and is it available anywhere (PDF would be nice)?

 

In particular, I am looking for the details associated with the motor and its power source.  I have the “accessory box” into which the telescope motor and external power are connected.  However, I seem to only have DC connectors, Not AC.  So, If I was to get a AC-DC converter, what exactly do I need?

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[Kasmos]

 

 

Here is my Super C8 (#822151) I picked up a few years ago. It was in several pieces, and I spent a few years working off and on putting it back together. I had to replace a broken tripod leg, and the mirror on the diagonal was in poor shape, but other than that it was in good condition. I ended up replacing the existing wedge, as I wanted something a little sturdier than what was on it.
 
It has the Buyers Worm Drive (with the window), and the declination can be adjusted manually, or with the servo-driven handheld. White I was looking for replacement parts I found spares for all the electronics (just in case). It has the 8x50 illuminated finderscope, and diecast forks. My best guess is that it was produced in late 83-early 84.   
 
The OTA (with Starbright Coatings) is in surprisingly good shape. I recently sent it off to Celestron for a good cleaning, and to have the focuser cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. They also laser-collimated the telescope while they had it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice! Orange tube Byers models aren't seen too often.

 

I keep hearing about people sending their old scopes back to Celestron for service. I'm surprised they'll still work on old models. 

I live really close to them so probably should take advantage of that. How are their rates?

[Kasmos]

Another one for the registry: the serial number for my C8 is 800150 and, as I recollect, my father purchased it in either 1977 or 78.  It has been in storage for a lot of years in its original case.  It seems to have endured very well: I got it out earlier this week and gave it a spin, terrestrially, and the optics are still as good as ever.

 

Unfortunately, I don’t have any paperwork associated with the C8 - is, was, there any user guide/manual and is it available anywhere (PDF would be nice)?

 

In particular, I am looking for the details associated with the motor and its power source.  I have the “accessory box” into which the telescope motor and external power are connected.  However, I seem to only have DC connectors, Not AC.  So, If I was to get a AC-DC converter, what exactly do I need?

Some of these drives have a built in inverter to run off a car battery. It's hard to tell from the photo but it looks like your drive might have a port for it. My drive box (made by the same company that Celestron used), came with a cable with to sets of connectors for plugging it into a cigarette lighter or using battery clamps. Here's a link to the manual but it doesn't cover much on the drive. Page 23.

 

https://wiki.telesco...ting_Manual.pdf

Edited by Kasmos, 28 July 2018 - 03:51 PM.

[Returning-to-the-sky]

Thanks, very much for the link to the manual - very useful, indeed!!

 

The “accessory box” allows for both DC and AC input.  On the front panel (shown in my previous post) is an AC or DC selector switch and a DC-in port.  And, yes, I have, and can connect to the DC cable either a cigarette lighter or clamps that connect to the posts of a car battery.  On the back of the box there is a port to connect the power cable to drive the telescope motor and an optional AC-in cable.  

 

Clearly, when my father bought this he was intending to drive the clock motor from his car battery.  I would require a second AC cable in order to drive it with AC power (the first, and one I have, is needed to connect the clock drive to the “accessory box” which gives me access to the drive corrector).  So now, I’m on the search for a second AC cable.  thanks again for the link to the manual!!

 

 

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[gcdunlap]

Very nice! Orange tube Byers models aren't seen too often.

 

I keep hearing about people sending their old scopes back to Celestron for service. I'm surprised they'll still work on old models. 

I live really close to them so probably should take advantage of that. How are their rates?

Not too bad.

 

It was $150 to have the OTA inspected, cleaned, and have the focuser cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. They performed a factory collimation too, and ensured everything was within spec.     

[STELLAR49]

I have an old orange tube C8 that I have owned since 1985. It is a Tuthill scope that has numerous Tuthill enhancements. I am the third owner. 

The number on the front of the cap is 815806

 

I removed the drive motors and both have numbers as follows 364321-2WA-4-6   The manufacture date on both is 10-80

So these must have been manufactured on November of 1980

 

I hope this helps with the project 

[Don W]

The motor serial numbers have little to do with when the scope was made. Celestron could have purchased 100,000 motors in 1980, but not installed them until later.

[STELLAR49]

 

This is a photo of the serial number on the front of the scope. Don W. I was referring to the motor dates not the scope manufacturing date. 

 

I do not know when the scope was manufactured but I assume that it was made sometime in the early 1980s.

[Zekester]

Here's my Orange Tube that I picked up on Craigslist last year.  Some fella had got it in a Storage Unit auction, so he didn't really know what it was. From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to have been used hardly at all - the optics are crystal clear and razor sharp!

 

Corrector Plate SN #800255

 

 

Edited by Zekester, 01 August 2018 - 01:52 PM.

[Kasmos]

Here's my Orange Tube that I picked up on Craigslist last year.  Some fella had got it in a Storage Unit auction, so he didn't really know what it was. From the looks of it, it doesn't seem to have been used hardly at all - the optics are crystal clear and razor sharp!

 

Corrector Plate SN #800255

 

I notice your collimation screws are Phillips head screws. My scope, not far in number from yours (serial# 800783), has Allen heads which I believe is more typical? Off hand I don't remember seeing any with Phillips heads. Mine was built approx. in March 1979 so that may help date yours. FWIW, my 1974 C5 has Allen heads too, so it's interesting that your's falls between the two and has Phillips heads.

[afernald]

My data point is an orange C8, serial #805904, that I purchased from Orion Telescope Center in April of 1980. It has allen head collimation screws. The scope had a bad case of mirror flop from day one, but I had no prior experience with SCT's so I figured that was normal. I didn't do a star test until years later and was unhappy with the result. I ended up sending it back to Celestron for repair in 1989. It came back with sharper images, smoother focusing, and no mirror flop. The invoice didn't detail the repairs. They charged me $75. I considered that a bargain.

[afernald]

In my last post I mentioned that my C8 had "mirror flop". After reading a thread in the CAT forum, I realize I probably should have written "image focus shift" instead because the problem occurred during focusing. On the other hand, I don't know what repairs Celestron performed so I can't say for sure...

[Don W]

Gentlemen. This is the C8 Registry thread. Please don't turn it into a discussion thread about your scopes. Take it to the Cats & Casses section.

[afernald]

Sorry...

[Dale65]

I have just become the second owner of a celestron c8, on a wedge pod field tripod, the serial number is  895766. Any info on this model would be appreciated 

 

Dale B

[whizbang]

Here's my Orange tube C8 purchased in April of... 2018.

 

sn:  3 7020 6

 

[Zubenelgenubi2]

I just acquired an old orange tube C-8 with serial number 236615 for a couple hundred bucks. Optics seem fine but there is more vibration than I expected, (I wasn't using the vibration absorber feet). To avoid needing an extension cord, I'm using a Talentcell 3000mAhr 12vdc battery and a 150 watt 12vdc to 115vac adapter. Works great and tracks well.

I'm not familiar with the image loading software so a picture may or may not be included.

Clear skies,
Peter

[Zubenelgenubi2]

Try to upload the image again. Yikes, this is hard to do.
 
Peter
 

[Zubenelgenubi2]

Forget the upside down picture. Does anybody know where to get a lens cover?

 

The big Bahtinov mask won't let me turn the scope down for carrying.  I suspect the current lens covers won't fit.

 

Thanks,

Peter