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M17 Swan-Omega Celestron C6 Hyperstar2

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Posts Made By: Ed Moran

October 19, 2005 06:49 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

DSC Encoder Replace or Repair?

Posted By Ed Moran
I broke off the little pc board with the connector on it from one of my encoders (don't ask..). I expoxied it back on and soldered little jumper wires from the encoder pins to the connector pins. It works fine.

Try to fix it, you've got nothing to lose...

Ed

November 27, 2005 05:52 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

JMI NGF Focuser Mods?

Posted By Ed Moran
First, make sure the roller bearings are clean. On my NGF some of the black anodize finish from the focuser drawtube would build up on the bearing surfaces over time, causing roughness. Also, check for a similar build up of material on the steel axle that presses against the flat surface of the focuser drawtube.

Second, I think I saw a website somewhere (sorry, don't have the URL) where the guy reworked the flat surface on the drawtube to make it perfectly smooth and flat. On his focuser, there were some machine tool marks leftover on the drawtube flat. I think he used a "Arkansas Stone", normally used for knife sharpening, to polish the surface flat and smooth.

Best of luck,

Ed

December 30, 2005 05:48 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Recent mods to my 12.5" PDHQ...

Posted By Ed Moran
So far, so good, but I haven't really put it to the test yet. It does seem to be a bit easier to achieve perfect collimation using an autocollimator with the Protostar adjustment scheme vs. the stock spider, and the secondary mirror fits better in the Protostar shroud.

The Protostar weighs a bit less too. Not much less, maybe an ounce?

The friction disk or clutch used in the Protostar allows easy rotational adjustment but seems holds collimation well when moved around. The real test will be driving the scope up to the mountains or out to the desert. The stock spider holds collimation very well.

The stock spider has a four screw tilt adjustment scheme (no tools needed) and the Protostar uses a three screw method that needs a small hex wrench but is, IMHO, actually easier to adjust.

I wouldn't expect to see any difference while actually observing though...

February 24, 2006 08:25 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Just received my 22" NightSky goto

Posted By Ed Moran
Pictures! We want pictures!! grin

But have mercy on us poor dial-up users.... sad

May 30, 2006 06:56 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Omega Centauri

Posted By Ed Moran
Hi Linton,

I saw it on the 28th (from Cottonwood Spring, JTNP) along with Centaurus A. First time for both objects this year. It (OC) sure is a big beast, and appeared granular in the mighty 12.5" PDHQ at 83x. grin

July 7, 2006 06:56 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

New Sky Commander XP4!

Posted By Ed Moran
Floyd,

I thought you've been using an Argo Navis box recently. Is this a replacement for that or maybe for another scope?

P.S. I like my XP4 quite a bit, especially the part about not having to set the scope to a "home" position before aligning on two stars. The new databases are a plus too...

Ed

August 8, 2006 07:20 PM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

A recent observing session, Walker Pass California

Posted By Ed Moran
It sounds like you had a very good session! Could you post a pic of the site?

Thanks,

Ed

September 20, 2006 12:42 AM Forum: Eyepieces

When the Eyepiece Finally Dies...

Posted By Ed Moran
...I'll be cruising the eyepiece graveyards with a shovel wink

October 24, 2006 12:31 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

LAAS Night!

Posted By Ed Moran
Looks like everyone is getting ready for great night under the stars grin.

The individual pads seems like a nice touch, with power outlets too! Of course, I'd be the guy who keeps tripping over themm in the dark... :S

December 31, 2006 03:56 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Ready for first light

Posted By Ed Moran
Lookin'good, Floyd!!

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