1675 replies to this topic

[DouglasPaul]

One more time here to inquire about the missing serial number, it's starting to bug me..

 

Has anyone seen one with no serial number? Do I have a "unclaimed" child here? Did somebody take the OTA off a wedge and put it on a SP mount? I was under the impression the gentleman I purchased it from bought it new, with the mount. I took the orange secondary cover off, pretty sure it was never off before.

 

Edited by DouglasPaul, 14 December 2021 - 10:17 AM.

[clamchip]

The key holes in the secondary are for one of those orange snap on covers so I don't think

the serial would be on the pad. The blue is felt marker is on the back of the mirror and it's at 3 O'clock

like it should be.

I'm trying to think where Celestron put the serial number on that one and similar models, I'm drawing

a blank.

 

Robert

Edited by clamchip, 14 December 2021 - 11:05 AM.

[DouglasPaul]

The key holes in the secondary are for one of those orange snap on covers so I don't think

the serial would be on the pad. The blue is felt marker is on the back of the mirror and it's at 3 O'clock

like it should be.

I'm trying to think where Celestron put the serial number on that one and similar models, I'm drawing

a blank.

 

Robert

I looked the whole thing over yesterday and drew a blank. But I've been known to look right at some things and miss them. Didn't they all come with those covers new until the more recent models?

[Borodog]

It would help to see photographs of the rest of the scope.

[DreamWeaver]

The serial number on my SPC8 is under the orange cap on the secondary holder.  My guess is that the a previous owner peeled the serial number off, or the ota originally came on a fork mount.

[DouglasPaul]

The serial number on my SPC8 is under the orange cap on the secondary holder.  My guess is that the a previous owner peeled the serial number off, or the ota originally came on a fork mount.

I doubt he ever took that cap off, it must be the latter. Maybe Celestron grabbed one meant for a fork mount, I hear they were in a bit of a rush back then. I'll try and get a picture of it on the way home, it's in storage at the moment.

[Spspspspoon]

Just purchased a late 82' early 83' Orange C8 for $80

Will post pics soon as I resize them.  Need to find a controller??

 

 

 

[pierce]

Just purchased a late 82' early 83' Orange C8 for $80

Will post pics soon as I resize them.  Need to find a controller??

orange tube fork mount, with the 2 or 3 prong AC connector, i"m not sure there is any controller.   they have a tangent screw, usually manual, but sometimes motorized that can move them through a couple degrees of declination, and otherwise, they are just a simple synchronous clock drive, that if properly polar aligned will follow the sky rotation for hours.

 

at most they would have a simple 4 button 'arrow' controller that would be slow motion adjust, use to center a subject, or with practice, manually keep it centered during a time exposure ('guiding').

 

now if this scope is on an entirely different sort of mount, please post some decent pictures of the full rig, 

 

this is a classic orange tube C8 with the 'crutch legs' tripod,

 

[pierce]

ooh, there was that early Celestron computerized mount, that may have overlapped with the end of the Orange tube era, hte Celestron Computerstar was new in the mid 80s, it was the very first ever GOTO system on a amateur telescope.   they were pretty buggy and I doubt there's many left working.     IIRC, they used a pretty complicated motor drive with both fast and slow motors.

 

ah, yeah, here's someone's early Compustar 14...

 

 

and this is the Compustar control panel...

[pierce]

and there were later Compustar 8's, but I've only ever heard of black tube 8's.

 

the consultant who designed the Compustar for Celestron went on and designed the original LX200 for Meade, using what he learned on the Celestron project, probably in violation of a non-compete agreement.

[CHASLX200]

ooh, there was that early Celestron computerized mount, that may have overlapped with the end of the Orange tube era, hte Celestron Computerstar was new in the mid 80s, it was the very first ever GOTO system on a amateur telescope.   they were pretty buggy and I doubt there's many left working.     IIRC, they used a pretty complicated motor drive with both fast and slow motors.

 

ah, yeah, here's someone's early Compustar 14...

 

 

and this is the Compustar control panel...

IMG_3119-300x2251.jpg

The CAT came out around 1988.

[GalaxyPiper]

I could find no serial number on mine, SPC8, 1986 according to the original owner who said he bought it for Halley's comet and then put it away. Also, if anyone has some tips on the use of the hand controller it would be appreciated.IMG_20211213_115717.jpgIMG_20211213_115914.jpg

Vixen Sky Sensor III manual (1984)

 

https://documentclou...5d-d3370e61bbcb

 

Keep in mind, after a year of producing these Sky Sensors, there was a fundamental change in thought in the power connections, Jacks were swapped as indicated in the last pages of the manual.

Be careful if you have one of the earlier models, as you could do some damage. Taking the cover off and peering inside will erase all doubts, and also to correct wiring problems.

 

Also, like all "Legacy" electronics of the last millennium, these had the Y2K error, so even if you can fool it with putting in a pre 2000 year (1999 or older), it will no longer track planets. 

 

Merry Christmas...

Edited by GalaxyPiper, 25 December 2021 - 09:38 AM.

[Speleodoc]

Just bought this used C8 via Cloudy Nights classifieds. Seller believes it is 15-20 years old. I removed the orange cap over the secondary mirror… no serial number. However there is a number attached to the clock drive baseplate (868788). I’m wondering if this is the actual serial number. If so, any idea what manufacture date range this would place the scope in? 

Thank you,

Robert

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[Kasmos]

Just bought this used C8 via Cloudy Nights classifieds. Seller believes it is 15-20 years old. I removed the orange cap over the secondary mirror… no serial number. However there is a number attached to the clock drive baseplate (868788). I’m wondering if this is the actual serial number. If so, any idea what manufacture date range this would place the scope in? 

Thank you,

Robert

That is surely it.

A photo of the complete scope will help date/ID it.

[Speleodoc]

That is surely it.

A photo of the complete scope will help date/ID it.

Here’s 3 photos. Please let me know if any other pics would help.

Thanks,

Robert

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[Kasmos]

Here’s 3 photos. Please let me know if any other pics would help.

Thanks,

Robert

By it's looks I'm thinking (83-85) Super C8.

But based on other S/N in the registry, roughly late 80's

Perhaps someone with more expertise of that era can figure that out.

The very plain drive cover and the old style Dec covers should help ID it.

Edited by Kasmos, 31 December 2021 - 04:14 PM.

[RSX11M+]

Just bought this used C8 via Cloudy Nights classifieds. Seller believes it is 15-20 years old. I removed the orange cap over the secondary mirror… no serial number. However there is a number attached to the clock drive baseplate (868788). I’m wondering if this is the actual serial number. If so, any idea what manufacture date range this would place the scope in? 

Thank you,

Robert

 

Yes, that appears to be the customary serial number tag for that era. Your scope was not previously in the registry.

 

Based solely upon that number and reported dates of nearby numbers in the registry, you scope was manufactured in 1989. (give or take a year)

 

If you feel this date is incorrect, I suggest you post further details and photos.

 

Thank you for registering and good luck with your acquisition.

[RSX11M+]

I apologize that my post was delayed and skipped over your photos.

 

I agree with Kasmos' assessment of the type. That drive base evolved subsequent to initial "Diecast" drives which were fully round. The tripod looks correct for the late 80's as does the wedge.

[CHASLX200]

Looks to be made in 87 or 88.

[RSX11M+]

Here’s 3 photos. Please let me know if any other pics would help.

Thanks,

Robert

 

Upon reconsideration, I'm changing my assessment to a probable "Classic 8" aka "C8 Classic"

 

• Small non-RA type finder
• reversion to the original Diecast fork style (note starburst DEC hub)
• circa 1990 mfg date (this model was first seen in 1990)

 

Look under the cover on the drive base. The "Classic" reportedly reverted back to a spur gear drive motor rather than the worm type of the Super C8 or Super C8+ (I'd appreciate a photo please)

 

The indicated date of manufacture remains unchanged as "1989" - possibly one of the earlier issues of this model.

 

Features I had not noticed about the "Classic 8" but which are present on your scope:

• Hinged knurled RA lock lever
• Double ended fine DEC knob
• mount boss on the fork casting below the fine DEC knob

 

Thank you for the follow-up.

[Speleodoc]

Upon reconsideration, I'm changing my assessment to a probable "Classic 8" aka "C8 Classic"

 

• Small non-RA type finder
• reversion to the original Diecast fork style (note starburst DEC hub)
• circa 1990 mfg date (this model was first seen in 1990)

 

Look under the cover on the drive base. The "Classic" reportedly reverted back to a spur gear drive motor rather than the worm type of the Super C8 or Super C8+ (I'd appreciate a photo please)

 

The indicated date of manufacture remains unchanged as "1989" - possibly one of the earlier issues of this model.

 

Features I had not noticed about the "Classic 8" but which are present on your scope:

• Hinged knurled RA lock lever
• Double ended fine DEC knob
• mount boss on the fork casting below the fine DEC knob

 

Thank you for the follow-up.

Here you are… It looks like a spur gear. Is the “Classic 8” more recent than the “Super 8”?

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[RSX11M+]

Here you are… It looks like a spur gear. Is the “Classic 8” more recent than the “Super 8”?

Thanks for the photo. Classic - definitely. This also makes 1990 the earliest street date for your scope, precluding manufacture earlier than 1989.

I'm not certain how to answer your question except to say that the Classic 8 was introduced well after [introduction of] either "Super C8" model. I recall the Classic as being an additional choice, to a lower price point and not a replacement of a model.

 

With Celestar, Powerstar, Compustar, and Ultima series it all gets a bit blurry for me. I am not certain what the final ship date for each would have been and more confusing is the notion that some are regarded as Super C8 variants. 
 

 

update - added [clarification]

Edited by RSX11M+, 01 January 2022 - 01:13 AM.

[Kasmos]

 Good info. I forgot about the Classic 8.

 

The combination of the old style Dec hub with the later base casting with simple graphics makes sense. 

[pierce]

Here you are… It looks like a spur gear. Is the “Classic 8” more recent than the “Super 8”?

 

so when did they switch from 120VAC synchronous motors to DC battery powered stuff ?   My Celestar 8 ran its clock drive on a simple 9V 'transistor radio' battery for many many hours.

[RSX11M+]

so when did they switch from 120VAC synchronous motors to DC battery powered stuff ?   My Celestar 8 ran its clock drive on a simple 9V 'transistor radio' battery for many many hours.

It's a tangle I'm afraid.

 

During the 1980s, pressure from competition pushed Celestron toward computerized drives. This isn't as easy to do with the older synchronous AC drives and necessitated developing DC ones. My recollection of this time is that it was over a decade before the DC approach worked well enough to bet the company on it. 

 

Adding PEC was a significant step. Not many microprocessors were CMOS in the early days, so adding one for PEC or GOTO cost a lot of power. Car Battery scale power for a single night. It could also be unpredictable unit to unit.

 

Remember too that Microprocessors of the day were costly and not very capable. Their "burdened cost" (the sum total of things to make them drive a scope) was even higher. It would be some years before that cost point would cross that of "dirt". Until then, electronics would be the price elephant in the amateur Observatory.

 

This meant that the audience would not accept DC for some time. It was only when all processors were becoming available in CMOS (and NMOS was phased out) that the possibility of a "9v Transistor Night" became practical.

 

Another evolution taking place in the era was in power supplies, but it was regulatory driven. Designers of all electronics were faced with rules that made it much more cost effective to supply externally sourced power modules than build one into your product. This was industry-wide, not just Celestron. This, as much as anything, would effect the shape of future scope drives. We don't think of it today but this is still the makeup of most products.

 

In the long haul, there was a point where synchronous AC drives were dropped, but is was a gradual process. Only once DC was universally seen as better, cheaper, and as reliable - would that end finally arrive at Celestron.

 

My tome might make it sound like this was deliberately planned in microsteps. It wasn't. It was an evolution determined by succeeding steps, a path that could only be seen as a result of walking it. (and on looking back)

 

That's my perspective anyway. 

Edited by RSX11M+, 01 January 2022 - 12:04 PM.