46 replies to this topic

[ColinHawke]

The oil spaced triplet objective lens of my Astro-Physics refractor has little internal oil leaks that have slowly grown out from the cork squares since I purchased it secondhand 6 years ago - see pic. To be honest it doesn't really bother me as it doesn't affect the superb views in any way. I'm currently of the opinion to just leave it .. But perhaps I should remove the objective and clean it? Would long term exposure to the oil damage (unlikely I know) the lens coating? Is it easy to remove the objective, clean and put it back? Any opinions welcome on what I should do if anything, thanks.

 

Edited by ColinHawke, 17 January 2015 - 09:14 AM.

[Gord]

I would send it back to A-P and let Roland make it perfect again.

 

CS,

[ColinHawke]

Well I'm not too keen in shipping it across the Atlantic from the UK to the US and it's probably 20+ years since this particular scope left US shores ..

[junomike]

The oil spaced triplet objective lens of my Astro-Physics refractor has little internal oil leaks that have slowly grown out from the cork squares since I purchased it secondhand 6 years ago - see pic. To be honest it doesn't really bother me as it doesn't affect the superb views in any way. I'm currently of the opinion to just leave it .. But perhaps I should remove the objective and clean it? Would long term exposure to the oil damage (unlikely I know) the lens coating? Is it easy to remove the objective, clean and put it back? Any opinions welcome on what I should do if anything, thanks.

 

image.jpg

Is this an oil leak or more or a "thermal shock" issue (only happens when taking telescope out in Winter temps)?

Can you physically see the oil running down the lens?

 

Mike

[Erik Bakker]

Colin,

 

This DOES affect high power views.

 

You must professionals take care of this issue. In Europe, Baader can do this. Or you can send it back to A-P and let Roland do it. A-P will likely do it under warranty, Baader will likely charge a service fee of around € 300.

 

I had a similar issue with my 130 f/6 Starfire and Baader re-oiled mine to like new condition under their warranty (10 yrs). 

 

What is the built-year of your 130 f/6?

[vahe]

If you decide to ship;

Contact AP with your questions, they will explain how to remove the objective from the main tube. The oil leak occurs in areas where there are no lens coating, typically the front and the back surface of a triplet is coated the rest has no coating.
When I send my 155 F/9 for optical evaluation, I only shipped the objective in its cell, made a plywood box and packed it with foam and the box was placed in outer cardboard box, went and came back safely.

 

Vahe

[Erik Bakker]

See the attached picture of oil leakage in my A-P 130 f/6.

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[ColinHawke]

Yes it's definitely oil and it has slowly worsened or 'trickled' a bit more each year originating from the 'cork' squares. I really don't know the exact age of the scope but I estimate 20 years old - I bought it 6 years ago secondhand - I think the seller said it was 15 years old but I may be mistaken as it's a while ago.

[ColinHawke]

Thanks for the replies - it's good to know I can ship just the lens cell and it's also reassuring that Baader can deal with it in Europe also.

[TG]

What does star testing show? If you see any "weird" artifacts in the out-of-focus pattern, this means that enough oil has leaked out to separate the lens elements to affect its performance and it needs to be re-oiled. Even if that is not the case, the oil streaks on the lens surface can cause diffraction spikes much like a Newtonian spider does so you may want to clean up at least those with isopropyl. Best thing would be to send it back to Roland but I see you're in the UK and that's not an easy option.

 

Tanveer.

[amicus sidera]

I would go with Baader if at all possible, and specify ground transport only; oftentimes oil-spaced objectives will leak badly when transported in an airliner, whether in a pressurized compartment or not (cabins are only pressurised to 8,000') and it would be a shame if AP fixed it only to have that happen on the return trip.

Edited by amicus sidera, 17 January 2015 - 11:36 AM.

[gfeulner]

I would definitely not try to fix that myself. I have a 28 yr old AP oil spaced triplet and that's what I would do. As another poster said, you just need to send the lens in it's cell to AP. Gerry

[ColinHawke]

Actually I did some observing with it last night in Scotland both in & out focus showed nice symmetrical and concentric diffraction rings. Yes, I'll abandon the idea of doing anything myself.

[Binojunky]

Considering the price point these scopes sell for and the fact you can wait over a decade for delivery unless you buy used, I find  this pretty sad,unaceptable, yet another reason why I am more than happy to stay with airspaced objectives, DA.

[crazyqban]

Thanks for the replies - it's good to know I can ship just the lens cell and it's also reassuring that Baader can deal with it in Europe also.

I had a bad experience with Baader so for me I would not send it to them. I think that it's best to let AP, who made the scope in the first place. handle it.

[BillP]

You have a great hi res photo of your objective...just email the pic to support@astro-physics.com and ask their assessment and estimate cost...and also if anyone they recommend in Europe if not feasible to send here.  No harm in asking!

 

Also...I'm a little bit in shock that there are cork spacers!?  Are they spacers or just pads for the entire assembly?  I've never heard that was done.  Organics are not generally a good idea...plus cork is so spongy so can't keep a uniform thickness.  Very odd.  Also odd that going linear like a fungus.  Used to seeing it be more in large splotches for cavitation - http://www.cloudynig..._Day_2a-med.jpg

Edited by BillP, 17 January 2015 - 01:09 PM.

[MrGrytt]

You have a great hi res photo of your objective...just email the pic to support@astro-physics.com and ask their assessment and estimate cost...and also if anyone they recommend in Europe if not feasible to send here.  No harm in asking!

 

 

The above suggestion is absolutely what you should do. 

 

Harvey

[jrbarnett]

The oil spaced triplet objective lens of my Astro-Physics refractor has little internal oil leaks that have slowly grown out from the cork squares since I purchased it secondhand 6 years ago - see pic. To be honest it doesn't really bother me as it doesn't affect the superb views in any way. I'm currently of the opinion to just leave it .. But perhaps I should remove the objective and clean it? Would long term exposure to the oil damage (unlikely I know) the lens coating? Is it easy to remove the objective, clean and put it back? Any opinions welcome on what I should do if anything, thanks.

 

image.jpg

You should send it to A-P or Baader for cleaning and repair, pronto.  You should NOT disassemble the lens assembly yourself under any circumstances.  Your de-contacting looks very similar to a certain type of fungal infection I've seen in air-spaced optical groups, which is strange.  I have an AT72ED with similar issues.  In any case, nothing to procrastinate on.  Get'er fixed.  

 

The spacers kind of look like they may be foil rather than cork.  Here's a shot of another 130EDF unit with the spacers seemingly reflecting light in metallic fashion.

http://www.astromart...99/602934-3.jpg

 

- Jim

Edited by jrbarnett, 17 January 2015 - 01:45 PM.

[Erik Bakker]

 

Thanks for the replies - it's good to know I can ship just the lens cell and it's also reassuring that Baader can deal with it in Europe also.

I had a bad experience with Baader so for me I would not send it to them. I think that it's best to let AP, who made the scope in the first place. handle it.

 

Agree, best is to send it to A-P.

[olivdeso]

In Europe, you can send it to "Optique  vision" France (i.e. ovision.com, the French AP distributor). They are qualified for re-oiling the AP triplet. You can contact them, they know very well AP triplets and are also in close contact with Rolland. So will tell you what they can do or not. (if it is just a matter of cleaning re-oiling they can do it.)

 

They serviced my old traveler with succes, and it perfectly works now. 

 

Edit : I was thinking, that the best could be to send the assembled refractor to Ovision. Then they could either service it, or disable it in a proper way and send the triplet and cell to Rolland.

You could drop them an email and they should answer within 2 or 3 days.

 

Olivier

Edited by olivdeso, 17 January 2015 - 08:42 PM.

[George N]

You have a great hi res photo of your objective...just email the pic to support@astro-physics.com and ask their assessment and estimate cost...and also if anyone they recommend in Europe if not feasible to send here.  No harm in asking!

 

Also...I'm a little bit in shock that there are cork spacers!? 

 

The 1987 era A-P 6" F/12 that Kopernik Observatory owns has complete cork rings holding in the lens elements! A few years ago one fell out. We discussed this with Roland (in person at NEAF) and he advised that the lens elements could fall out of the cell if the scope was hit, so it needed repair as soon as possible.

 

As described above, he has instructions on how to take the lens cell off the tube, and how to pack to ship. He highly discourages sending the entire tube.

 

The repair work on this lens was rather inexpensive and it was only gone about a month as I remember it.

 

Roland has noted, writing in other forums, that getting 3 lens elements properly installed and spaced in a cell is one of the more difficult parts of making a triplet, that doing it right is critical to optical performance, and it takes long experience to do it correctly.

 

If I owned an A-P scope, I would not be having anyone other than Roland taking the lenses out of the cell and re-installing them.

[NHRob]

That looks more like fungal intrusion than oil leaks.  

Send the pic to AP and follow their guidance.

[ColinHawke]

It does look like some fungal growth but believe me it is simply the way the oil has run - I've had a really good look .. 

Thanks for all the replies - I'll get this sorted in the summer when our nights here are a little too short for my observing and after I get my new companion instrument delivered (8 inch f/12 zerochromat) so I will have something new to play with while it is being fixed.

[Mike Clemens]

http://www.pbase.com...acking_the_lens

[blueman]

It does look like some fungal growth but believe me it is simply the way the oil has run - I've had a really good look .. 

Thanks for all the replies - I'll get this sorted in the summer when our nights here are a little too short for my observing and after I get my new companion instrument delivered (8 inch f/12 zerochromat) so I will have something new to play with while it is being fixed.

I completely disagree with your diagnosis but it is your scope. I am not so sure that oil would separate in such a way. As others have stated, send the picture to Roland and ask his opinion. If it is mildew or fungus, the lens could be damaged permanently.

Blueman