Squaring a focuser

Discuss any astro equipment that does not have its own forum, such as focusers, finders, chairs, etc.
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KathyNS Canada
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Squaring a focuser

#1

Post by KathyNS »


About a month ago, I installed a new FeatherTouch focuser. Evidence in recent images suggests that I need to tweak the focuser tilt. The FT has adjustment screws for this purpose.

How do I go about doing the adjustment? Test images or eyepiece viewing? Long or short focal length eyepieces? Use a collimation cap? An suggestions or procedures welcome.

Oh, it's an f/4 Newtonian.
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DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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DEnc United States of America
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Re: Squaring a focuser

#2

Post by DEnc »


CCDInspector can help you evaluate any adjustments you make. There's a 30 day free trial--maybe you'll get lucky with the weather. (I wasn't!)
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turboscrew
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Re: Squaring a focuser

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Post by turboscrew »


I just did something I learned somewhere in the web: I used a wide paper band around the telescope for finding out the exact opposite of the focuser hole, and I drilled a 1.5 mm hole there. Then I put a piece of isolation tape on it. When the secondary mirror is out, it's easy to check the focuser with a laser - if the beam hits the hole.

I used baking paper cut in half height. Wide enough to not tolerate much bending if the ends are connected with good overlap. I used the "factory edge", because I'm not so handy with scissors.
- Juha

Senior Embedded SW Designer
Telescope: OrionOptics XV12, Mount: CEM120, Tri-pier 360 and alternative dobson mount.
Grab 'n go: Omegon AC 102/660 on AZ-3 mount
Eyepieces: 26 mm Omegon SWAN 70°, 15 mm TV Plössl, 12.5 mm Baader Morpheus, 10 mm TV Delos, 6 mm Baader Classic Ortho, 5 mm TV DeLite, 4 mm and 3 mm TV Radians
Cameras: ZWO ASI 294MM Pro, Omegon veLOX 178C
OAG: TS-Optics TSOAG09, ZWO EFW 7 x 36 mm, ZWO filter sets: LRGB and Ha/OIII/SII
Explore Scientific HR 2" coma corrector, Meade x3 1.25" Barlow, TV PowerMate 4x 2"
Some filters (#80A, ND-96, ND-09, Astronomik UHC)
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