544 replies to this topic

[Cryhavoc38]

Considering purchasing this little gem because of its original owner.

 

Not sure but is that a silver, grey or white tube?

It is a dual fork model.

 

Appears to be a silver or grey Ota.

 

What can you all decipher from the image, ie age, production, etc

Thank you

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by Cryhavoc38, 14 January 2024 - 05:03 PM.

[CHASLX200]

Considering purchasing this little gem because of its original owner.

 

Not sure but is that a silver, grey or white tube?

It is a dual fork model.

 

Appears to be a silver or grey Ota.

 

What can you all decipher from the image, ie age, production, etc

Thank you

Made in the later 70's thru the early 80's and was orange only.

[Cryhavoc38]

Made in the later 70's thru the early 80's and was orange only.

Thanks Chas,

I received info back from the owner.

It was originally orange but the center that owned it originally had painted it silver.

 

she's in nice shape so I am seriously considering it.

SN's show it is a 1979 vintage.

[spartan1]

Several connected questions:

 

1) I am buying a 1980's orange C5 with 110v 60Hz motors but I am in Australia where we have a 240v 50Hz mains supply. If I buy a step down transformer 240 to 110v will the motors run at the correct speed?

 

2) Are these motors still available in 240v format anywhere, should I decide to change them out?

 

3) Is there anyone here interested in switching their 240v motors for my 110v, if I go that route?

 

I will register the scope here when I take possession this weekend.

 

Thanks.

[RSX11M+]

Several connected questions:
 
1) I am buying a 1980's orange C5 with 110v 60Hz motors but I am in Australia where we have a 240v 50Hz mains supply. If I buy a step down transformer 240 to 110v will the motors run at the correct speed?

No. The motors are governed by the line frequency, so a simple transformer will correct the voltage and make them run, but they will not even be close to tracking the sky.


While you might locate and swap motors, the simplest thing to do will be to use an inverter that outputs 110vac 60hz.

This won't be perfect, but will be much better than a 5/6 mismatch.

Good luck on the purchase.

[davidmcgo]

If the scope was from the northern hemisphere the stock motors may be the wrong direction rotation.  I think the northern hemisphere motors are CCW but southern needs CW.  This isn’t changeable by polarity since the motors run off the phase on the line current based on the winding direction.

 

Dave

Edited by davidmcgo, 25 January 2024 - 10:52 AM.

[NinePlanets]

OH! Right! Upside down! 

[MarkMittlesteadt]

My C5 I traded for. Originally (and still) sold as the C5 Spotting Scope with padded case. Same OTA, just different packaging.

 

I added a 2" SCT diagonal and a longer rail.

 

 

 

[Kasmos]

Several connected questions:

 

1) I am buying a 1980's orange C5 with 110v 60Hz motors but I am in Australia where we have a 240v 50Hz mains supply. If I buy a step down transformer 240 to 110v will the motors run at the correct speed?

 

2) Are these motors still available in 240v format anywhere, should I decide to change them out?

 

3) Is there anyone here interested in switching their 240v motors for my 110v, if I go that route?

 

I will register the scope here when I take possession this weekend.

 

Thanks.

Motors for the Southern Hemisphere

Says 220 but that's a common mistake for 240 but ask them

 

https://www.ebay.com...74AAOSwPTReCSNG

Edited by Kasmos, 25 January 2024 - 04:07 PM.

[spartan1]

Motors for the Southern Hemisphere

Says 220 but that's a common mistake for 240 but ask them

 

https://www.ebay.com...74AAOSwPTReCSNG

Thanks for this.  Southern hemisphere - isn't that just a matter of reversing the wire polarity on a Northern Hemisphere motor - or is that too simplistic?  

[davidmcgo]

Not for an AC synchronous motor.  Polarity does not control direction.  Only way to change is to do the windings in the other direction when the motor is made.

 

Dave

Thanks for this.  Southern hemisphere - isn't that just a matter of reversing the wire polarity on a Northern Hemisphere motor - or is that too simplistic?  

[spartan1]

If the scope was from the northern hemisphere the stock motors may be the wrong direction rotation.  I think the northern hemisphere motors are CCW but southern needs CW.  This isn’t changeable by polarity since the motors run off the phase on the line current based on the winding direction.

 

Dave

Looks like I will have to test the motors anyway and see which way they turn...then I can go from there.  If they turn the Northern (wrong) way, then it sounds like it does not matter what I do with the voltage/Hz because they will still turn the wrong way and will not reverse direction if I switch the wires around? 

[markb]

I don't think anyone mentioned the speed issue yet, 50 HZ will run way too slow, synchronous motors are tied to the mains frequency. Similarly, since they are AC motors they can't be wired to reverse direction the same way DC motors can often easily be reversed. AC reverses polarity in the wires at the frequency specified, that's what differentiates it from DC, where polarity is fixed and unchanging.

 

You can do some searching to see if someone has identified sources for replacement motors. I know I've seen threads on this but I'm not sure if they were successful.

 

If someone can provide you with photographs of the data plates on the motors used in the southern hemisphere it might be a good starting point for your search. Also, you may be able to find slight modifications to the data plate model number information on your existing motors, in event that you find a supplier and a list alternative model numbers for your specified frequency and voltage. 

 

One thing I've always wondered, but never had to personally investigate, was whether plug in clocks using synchronous motors that run off mains voltage could be adapted to a telescope base. You would probably have to go to a flea market to find some though.

 

Although it usually seems to be a disadvantage to be located in Australia, my recollection from decades back is that there is a active electronics hobbyist population there, and that some electronics and electronic components are easier to buy in Australia than other places.

[markb]

Another thought just occurred to me that I don't recall I haven't heard about in the past.

 

I don't see any reason you couldn't use an inverter that provides the rest of the world 110/60hz output from a 12 volt battery source or 12 volt industrial power supply at your voltage/frequency.

 

This is essentially what old time Drive correctors were, capable of being run off at 12 volt battery source and providing 110 at approximately 60 hertz, with a potentiometer adjustment to vary the output frequency.

 

That might be your easiest solution. I assume you should look for a true sine wave inverter, just so a square wave inverter won't damage your motors.

 

But come again, I do recall circuit tracing a 1960s Drive corrector, simple enough for my limited electronics knowledge, and it was the simplest inverter design possible.

 

A nice used Nexstar 5/8 base and a long vixen dovetail could be the best solution, but you would lose that old timey experience.

[spartan1]

For those who have been assisting me in the motor matter, the Orange C5 arrived today. I didn't even bother to check it as I had seen the photos...it was in the original trunk plus a bag of tripod parts and accessories, which I went thru first. Then I put the tripod up...everything looking dusty. When I opened the trunk, I was impressed...it was pristine condition but it weighed more than I thought.  Then it dawned on me...its not a C5, its a C8. What!!!  I could not believe it...I looked at the ad again and it def stated C5.  I actually wanted a C5 but I am not complaining. It just means I'll have to follow a C8 page now! I used to have an Orange C8 some 30 years ago and wish I hadn't sold it.  Thanks for all the motors advice, which I will continue to follow on here.  

[flyboyu777]

Good morning-can you add my C-5 Tele F/6 to the registry?  I posted it a while back, but here it is again:

 

 

SN 1852

 

Jim Duke

Edited by flyboyu777, 27 January 2024 - 09:25 AM.

[Clocks]

Hello, hope I may help. Depending on what Celestron scope you purchase usually has the serial number on a Schimint Cassagrain, other ones have found Serial number on bottom where the Dovetail or Camera mount spot(fyi. Usually.25 inch and 20 threads per inch.. hense the 1/4 -20 national thread pitch. Or as I mentioned before it maybe listed as .25"/20.

 

[Clocks]

Meant to say... Stamped on secondary mirror adjustable central obstruction. It it pretty much Blaring you in the face. Usually have same serial number on base of scope mount. Hopefully this helps 😉

[Clocks]

Please also understand that this company has been bought and sold numerous times. Thinging 🤔 even Tasco owns or owned at one point in time.

[MaksutovKing]

Hi - could I have my little unit to the registry?

Found this in a thrift store about a decade ago and completely forgot to put it here.

The serial number is 2 1430 5.

[flyboyu777]

Hello, hope I may help. Depending on what Celestron scope you purchase usually has the serial number on a Schimint Cassagrain, other ones have found Serial number on bottom where the Dovetail or Camera mount spot(fyi. Usually.25 inch and 20 threads per inch.. hense the 1/4 -20 national thread pitch. Or as I mentioned before it maybe listed as .25"/20.

 

I guess the serial number was hard to see-it is:  SN 1852

 

Jim Duke
 

[spartan1]

Long story but I have two C5 1980's 240v Synchron motors 0.75rpm for the SOUTHERN hemisphere. I try to rescue old scopes and help to keep them in usable condition. These C5 motors are rare and someone might have a heart attack over finding them. I am in Australia. 

[bdrell]

Hi, all. I have a C5 that I inherited from my great uncle. It has serial number 31038 4 -- looks like the fork and base are sand-cast.

 

On another note, I do not have a tripod or wedge for this scope and I'd really love to have one. I haven't been able to find any recent classified listings for these. Does anybody know where I might acquire them? Thanks!

Edited by bdrell, 22 April 2024 - 05:38 PM.

[GUS.K]

 

 

Hi, all. I have a C5 that I inherited from my great uncle. It has serial number 31038 4 -- looks like the fork and base are sand-cast.

 

On another note, I do not have a tripod or wedge for this scope and I'd really love to have one. I haven't been able to find any recent classified listings for these. Does anybody know where I might acquire them? Thanks!

 

Nice score, these early C5's are great performers. Once you get enough post and time on the forum, you can place a wanted add in the classifieds. The early sandcast C5 has a smaller base than the later models (6 inch for sandcast, 8 inch for diecast). Either sandcast or diecast tripod would work with the wedge.

[bdrell]

Nice score, these early C5's are great performers. Once you get enough post and time on the forum, you can place a wanted add in the classifieds. The early sandcast C5 has a smaller base than the later models (6 inch for sandcast, 8 inch for diecast). Either sandcast or diecast tripod would work with the wedge.

Thanks! I've actually had it for many years -- it's moved with me to and fro all across the US over the years. My dad tried to find a wedge for it years ago but didn't have much luck. I mainly used my Newtonian reflector when I was a kid, but always wanted to get this working. My oldest son is starting to open his eyes to all things science, so I'd really like to get this going along with the tracking motors so we can look at things together. I did manage to get a good view of the Orion Nebula with this scope several years ago, but it was really hard to track since I didn't have any kind of mount for it. (I have no idea what my uncle used to do with this -- I assume he must have had some kind of mount, but likely he built it himself, as that's the kind of guy he was.)