9517 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

I will use my spray gun to paint the inside and outside of the tube.  I still have a lot of the $200 a gallon flat black I used on the q7 when I restored it.

That is what bottom paint for my boat cost back in the 80's.

[deSitter]

I will use my spray gun to paint the inside and outside of the tube.  I still have a lot of the $200 a gallon flat black I used on the q7 when I restored it.

Wow, that must be "Spinal Tap #11 - Smell the Glove". I still think flock paper is blacker

 

-drl

[ccwemyss]

Wow, that must be "Spinal Tap #11 - Smell the Glove". I still think flock paper is blacker

 

-drl

As I recall from a previous discussion, that paint is what is used for aerospace applications to minimize reflection in a wide range of wavelengths. It’s tricky to apply for maximum effect but is actually superior to flocking, and more durable.

 

Black 4.0 from Culture Hustle comes close, but I haven’t tested it for thermal stability. Their 3.0 wasn’t stable, but 2.0 is. 
 

Chip W.

[starman876]

Wow, that must be "Spinal Tap #11 - Smell the Glove". I still think flock paper is blacker

 

-drl

have to buy  a special thinner that only works with the paint. 

 

https://www.cerakote.../armor-black.  

 

It is very black

[CHASLX200]

Moved the 826 OTA from the leaking roof. Getting snow in July thanks to a Cane.

[starman876]

Moved the 826 OTA from the leaking roof. Getting snow in July thanks to a Cane.

I want to see a picture of snow in July when it is August

Edited by starman876, 04 August 2024 - 07:54 PM.

[CHASLX200]

I want to see a picture of snow in July when it is August

Rain anytime for me is like getting snow in July.  I can use a cane a week for months to make up for the lack of rain i have had the last the 5 years.

[jkmccarthy]

I believe they will also fit the older CG-5 mounts, as they are practically the same as the Polaris.

But the CG-5's have a little opening to read the RA.

Initially I too thought the small rectangular notch in the Vixen GP polar scope eyepiece cover was to be oriented at 12 o'clock for viewing the top of the setting circle, but I've since learned that its design purpose and dimensions are so that the polar scope eyepiece cover will clear the rectangular extension on the bottom (6 o'clock) of Vixen's #3830 digital encoder set for the GP and GP-DX / GP-D mounts:

 

 

Now you know ...

 

      -- Jim

[norvegicus]

oooh, GP/DX with encoders....

 

 

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[jkmccarthy]

oooh, GP/DX with encoders....

Every once-in-a-long-while on Zen I'll spot a GP with encoders installed on it -- visible in the photos -- being offered-up by a surplus-reseller on Yahoo! Japan Auctions who doesn't even mention the encoders in their listing title or description.    (The mount pictured in the Vixen 'Stellar Guide' advertisement photo is a GP, but from first-hand experience I can attest to the fact that the Vixen 3830 encoders for GP can be installed perfectly well onto a GP-DX [a.k.a. GP-D] mount instead, as the relevant shaft O.D.s and threads at the ends are the same, only steel instead of aluminum : - ).
 
What I haven't tried (but admit to being tempted : - ) is adapting the GP encoders to the SP-DX, which I don't expect would make for a perfect fit, despite the polar-scopes and counterweight-shafts being basically interchangeable --- in addition to the encoders' central bore engaging the mount's rotating shafts, the encoder housings also need to be affixed to the end of the [non-rotating] housing of each axis, and unlike the SP or SP-DX, the axis housings of the GP mount family have notched/slotted features to facilitate this.
 
It's also worth noting that the Vixen 3830 encoders provide 'only' 3000 encoder pulses per 360-degrees of rotation, i.e., 7.2 arcminutes on the sky per tick ... which is rather coarse by modern standards, but certainly not a major limitation for visual use.   Nevertheless, the Vixen SkySensor 3-D (where "D" stands for Deluxe) controller has a second multi-pin connector that accepts encoder inputs as well as RS-232 serial communication with a computer ... the former actually being of greater interest to me than the latter ....
 
Clear Skies,
 
      -- Jim

[deSitter]

Every once-in-a-long-while on Zen I'll spot a GP with encoders installed on it -- visible in the photos -- being offered-up by a surplus-reseller on Yahoo! Japan Auctions who doesn't even mention the encoders in their listing title or description.    (The mount pictured in the Vixen 'Stellar Guide' advertisement photo is a GP, but from first-hand experience I can attest to the fact that the Vixen 3830 encoders for GP can be installed perfectly well onto a GP-DX [a.k.a. GP-D] mount instead, as the relevant shaft O.D.s and threads at the ends are the same, only steel instead of aluminum : - ).
 
What I haven't tried (but admit to being tempted : - ) is adapting the GP encoders to the SP-DX, which I don't expect would make for a perfect fit, despite the polar-scopes and counterweight-shafts being basically interchangeable --- in addition to the encoders' central bore engaging the mount's rotating shafts, the encoder housings also need to be affixed to the end of the [non-rotating] housing of each axis, and unlike the SP or SP-DX, the axis housings of the GP mount family have notched/slotted features to facilitate this.
 
It's also worth noting that the Vixen 3830 encoders provide 'only' 3000 encoder pulses per 360-degrees of rotation, i.e., 7.2 arcminutes on the sky per tick ... which is rather coarse by modern standards, but certainly not a major limitation for visual use.   Nevertheless, the Vixen SkySensor 3-D (where "D" stands for Deluxe) controller has a second multi-pin connector that accepts encoder inputs as well as RS-232 serial communication with a computer ... the former actually being of greater interest to me than the latter ....
 
Clear Skies,
 
      -- Jim

That's 1/4th of the Moon!

 

-drl

[jkmccarthy]

That's 1/4th of the Moon!

 

-drl

Yes, indeed so !    (see also this CN > Classics > Craigslist etc post of mine from back in April ... https://www.cloudyni...ads/?p=13421090  ... the second or third Zen-spotted GP with encoders I'd run across [and I'd previously pulled the trigger on the 1st one, a green GP], and this 3rd one actually was a GP-DX  : - )  

 

        -- Jim

Edited by jkmccarthy, 06 August 2024 - 03:18 PM.

[jragsdale]

3D printed a dew and stray light shield for an Astroscan I have. Works with the existing cap and slides onto the tube with felt so doesn't scratch the body. Works with existing peep finder in place too. Lightweight at only 3.3oz.

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[jragsdale]

Continuing on my quest to design and print all the major accessories for the Astroscan. I finished a rough draft on the tripod mounting adapter. Turned out really good with some custom red 3D printed knobs. 

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[k5apl]

My Bushnell Sky Chief Jr. focuser tube shifted side-to-side when focusing, because the rack had too much play in the focuser trough. The trough was allowing the rack to shift when the pinion gear was turned one way or the other.  Although I couldn't see any problems with the image at about 150X, it bothered me.  Many materials were tried as shims on each side of the rack without success, until I tried zipties.  The 3 inch version was the correct width and thickness--just trimmed it to size and wedged it in the focuser housing trough.  Fixed it.  No shift now, and I wasn't out a lot of money.

Wes

[k5apl]

I collimated my diagonal today.  The red-dot laser collimator was inserted in the diagonal.  I held a piece of plate glass over the

telescope side of the diagonal (flush and flat).  The diagonal is the inexpensive prism model made by Celestron.  The red dot

was reflected back to the target, and I adjusted the two 1.5mm allen head screws until the dot was centered.  Done deal.

Hopefully I'm through for a little while, and won't keep making as many posts.  Waiting now for clouds to go away.

Wes

[jragsdale]

Going a little crazy with the 3D printed Astroscan parts. Custom solar finder in red PET-G. 

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[CHASLX200]

I moved the AP800 to sweep.

[Bomber Bob]

Gave my 1980s spectros (Swiss) Amici Diagonal a thorough cleaning before joining the 3 Big Kellners (35mm barrels) in storage:

 

 

This diagonal is as heavy as my Vixen 4-slot rotary eyepiece holder.  The prism is a beautiful piece of glass - I can believe that spectros sourced optics from CZJ.  THAT would be a great rumor to confirm!

 

BIF:  The only scope that natively accepted its 35mm barrel is my Tinsley 6 Cass, and that's only because it has the clamp on the focuser barrel.  But the views of Jupiter at 100x with the 30mm Big Kellner were fantastic - well worth the trouble.  Using the 1.25" adapter with my other Classics works, but all that weight put a lot of stress on the old focusers!

 

BIF2:  Didn't Pentax use a non-standard barrel size?  Seems like I've seen a few item ads over the years with 35mm specs...

Edited by Bomber Bob, 14 August 2024 - 10:14 AM.

[cavedweller]

I moved the AP800 to sweep.

 

Did you also move it back? No pictures, then it didn't happen.

[andylsun]

I found that what I thought was a 52 tooth 2GT printed gear, was actually a 50 tooth 2GT printed gear. That may explain the RA drift.

[deSitter]

Did you also move it back? No pictures, then it didn't happen.

Yes, and let's hope the broom was properly stored.

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

Did you also move it back? No pictures, then it didn't happen.

Well here is the messed up flow as i call it. Gotta strip and rip and repaint.

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[deSitter]

Well here is the messed up flow as i call it. Gotta strip and rip and repaint.

This is a very elegant telescope!

 

-drl

[CHASLX200]

This is a very elegant telescope!

 

-drl

After trying a million mounts it is on a real mount now. I  about had to pay AP900 prices to get it back jack.