31 replies to this topic

[Serenity Now]

The mount comes home!!!

 

Freshly unloaded from the ABF Freight trailer today, our vintage circa 1992 Astro-Physics Inc. black model 1200DA metric, 60+ lb telescope mount (not including counterweights, telescope mounting plate and rings) returns from it's AP Illinois factory overhaul, repair, upgrades and lubrication (a week at the Spa). Think the Tin Man from Oz...stiff and hesitant operations and movement before total disassembly and removal of 30+ year old original grease.  Huge thanks to: ABF Freight for my "sleep well at night" worry-free LTL transportation;  Craters & Freighters of Baltimore for the professional wooden packing and protection (the entire crate, padding and contents weighed 170 lbs) for the 1680 mile round trip; Astro-Physics entire staff for walking me through this part of my retirement Observatory reactivation and renovation.

 

[Scope2]

Congratulation's on completing the setup looks wonderful! Best Regards Pat from Canton MI.

[starman876]

beautiful mount.  I have the white 1200. 

[RichA]

The mount comes home!!!

 

Freshly unloaded from the ABF Freight trailer today, our vintage circa 1992 Astro-Physics Inc. black model 1200DA metric, 60+ lb telescope mount (not including counterweights, telescope mounting plate and rings) returns from it's AP Illinois factory overhaul, repair, upgrades and lubrication (a week at the Spa). Think the Tin Man from Oz...stiff and hesitant operations and movement before total disassembly and removal of 30+ year old original grease.  Huge thanks to: ABF Freight for my "sleep well at night" worry-free LTL transportation;  Craters & Freighters of Baltimore for the professional wooden packing and protection (the entire crate, padding and contents weighed 170 lbs) for the 1680 mile round trip; Astro-Physics entire staff for walking me through this part of my retirement Observatory reactivation and renovation.

 

the mount comes home2.JPG

re balanced telescope.JPG

Any telescope set-up over 80lbs should ideally go LTL.

[CHASLX200]

I would trade my 900 and 800 for it if it has SLO- MO's and a 12.5" Dob.

[The Planetman]

Congratulations!!  An absolutely beautiful set up!!

And an excellent workhorse of a mount.  I too have a white one, as well as a QMD.  These mounts are pretty much bullet-proof!

[CHASLX200]

Congratulations!!  An absolutely beautiful set up!!

And an excellent workhorse of a mount.  I too have a white one, as well as a QMD.  These mounts are pretty much bullet-proof!

I think his is like my 800 and had SLO MO-s that the white mounts don't have.  If i could have my motors removed and have have SLO- MO's added on i would do it on my 900.

[Serenity Now]

I think his is like my 800 and had SLO MO-s that the white mounts don't have.  If i could have my motors removed and have have SLO- MO's added on i would do it on my 900.

Are you talking about manual RA and Dec axis controls WITH a RA motor clock drive?

[RalphMeisterTigerMan]

Why size is that refractor? Is it an 8-inch? Apo or Achro? Regardless, mounted on top of the mount they are impressive! I find myself feeling extremely envious, you lucky duck!

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

[Kasmos]

Why size is that refractor? Is it an 8-inch? Apo or Achro? Regardless, mounted on top of the mount they are impressive! I find myself feeling extremely envious, you lucky duck!

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

From his profile: Telescope - 8" f/12 classic achromat refractor by D&G Optical

[starman876]

From his profile: Telescope - 8" f/12 classic achromat refractor by D&G Optical

that is a lot of scope

[Kefka1138]

What a beast! Congratulations! 

[Serenity Now]

Any telescope set-up over 80lbs should ideally go LTL.

Absolutely. Not only considering weight but also center-of-gravity protrusions like drive motors/gear assemblies that are most susceptible to impact damage. Astro-Physics told to pay special attention to this. As this is my last and lifetime-mount I decided to treat it like our baby so I could sleep soundly at night. Plus, for an AP mount of this vintage (purportedly #4 of all 1200's ever made) it also comes down to preservation of the craft from the staff at Astro-Physics.

[CHASLX200]

Are you talking about manual RA and Dec axis controls WITH a RA motor clock drive?

Yes like on my AP 800.

[davidmcgo]

All it takes to have manual knobs on a 900 QMD is to loosen the set screw on the motor coupling.  Then the drive test knob can be used.  See the worm gear backlash procedure here:

 

https://astro-physic...md-backlash.pdf

 

Dave 

[CHASLX200]

All it takes to have manual knobs on a 900 QMD is to loosen the set screw on the motor coupling.  Then the drive test knob can be used.  See the worm gear backlash procedure here:

 

https://astro-physic...md-backlash.pdf

 

Dave 

I can't even turn them. Some times on some scopes i can't reach em anyways if the tube is long or in some parts of the sky. But it was nice on the AP800 for Jup tlast year.

Edited by CHASLX200, 28 February 2025 - 06:55 AM.

[starman876]

All it takes to have manual knobs on a 900 QMD is to loosen the set screw on the motor coupling.  Then the drive test knob can be used.  See the worm gear backlash procedure here:

 

https://astro-physic...md-backlash.pdf

 

Dave 

Thanks for the link.  Good information.  I will have to see if the 1200 is the same. it looks like it from what I remember. 

[CHASLX200]

Thanks for the link.  Good information.  I will have to see if the 1200 is the same. it looks like it from what I remember. 

I read somew.here that the knobs are not meant as SOL- MO's. I mean maybe you can take the motors and gear boxes off they can free spin.  

[davidmcgo]

They shouldn’t be turned while the motor is attached.  If you de couple the motor which the backlash adjustment procedure shows how to do, you have manual knobs on the worms.

 

Why this is such an obsession I have no idea.  A small talent cell battery will run the mount all night and the electric motions are sweet.

 

Dave

[CHASLX200]

I grew up on non driven scopes. Went thru my spat with drives and GO-TO.  Just don't like dealing with hand control and wires. The AP are so smooth i can hand center at 450x easy.

[starman876]

I love the slow motion controls with a pushbutton.   There is no vibration moving the scope versus having to touch the mount which is awesome at higher powers.  I also love having electric focus.  Again not having to touch the scope is wonderful.  

[Serenity Now]

I read somew.here that the knobs are not meant as SOL- MO's. I mean maybe you can take the motors and gear boxes off they can free spin.  

The AP mount manual specifically states DON'T EVER try to turn the motor gear knob!

[Kasmos]

I love the slow motion controls with a pushbutton.   There is no vibration moving the scope versus having to touch the mount which is awesome at higher powers.  I also love having electric focus.  Again not having to touch the scope is wonderful.  

I agree. Just having a drive can be wonderful. Getting an object centered and relaxing to take in the view is so much better than pushing or turning a knob to get an object to the edge of field, drift, repeat, drift, repeat....

Edited by Kasmos, 01 March 2025 - 03:15 AM.

[Terra Nova]

Quite an admirable mount (and telescope). Congratulations and Happy Retirement!

[Serenity Now]

This shipping/receiving has been such an educational experience I thought I'd share a few final pics. Baltimore Craters and Freighters suggested that the same crate could be re-used for return. 

 

1. Open the crate and the RA and Dec axis (axes?) are structurally restrained by high-quality wood cross members. The axes themselves are ensconced in ~6 +/-inches of bubble wrap their size and appearance akin to huge Easter hams. Voids are filled with glued-in (to crate inner wall) place the densest professional hi-impact foam-like bricks.

 

2. Astro-Physics stressed to me protection of "protuberances" from a center of gravity...namely anything that sticks out and can be damaged by a drop impact. The mount returned with cut high-impact dense foam especially surrounding the Dec axis.

 

3. Astro-Physics addresses not only maintenance issues but product upgrades...when possible. I was able to upgrade power cables from the the old plastic to upgraded rubber and connectors from the 12 volt power source and handheld control pad that were appropriate for my vintage mount.

 

4. In the shipping **** happens category, the goal is to MINIMIZE the usual handling damage to unusual dimension astronomical instruments...even crated ones. This has occurred twice and thank goodness again for crating OVER protection. Emptying the crate revealed damage from an errant or sloppy forklift operator totally puncturing the crate to the interior. 

Edited by Serenity Now, 02 March 2025 - 09:21 AM.