Has anyone experienced a similar thing? I am trying to think of a good strategy for dealing with this that does not involve gluing the thing together permanently (though that might be the best solution). Any thoughts?
RACI falls apart in the cold
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RACI falls apart in the cold
I have an Orion RACI finder. Basically I am finding that, whenever it gets cold enough (as it is starting to do now), the RACI literally falls apart. The eyepiece end falls out of the main barrel of the RACI -- especially when the scope is pointed up. If I take it inside and warm it up, it will screw back together just fine. It seems, when it is cold enough, the eyepiece end "shrinks" more than the barrel to the point where the threads no longer engage.
Has anyone experienced a similar thing? I am trying to think of a good strategy for dealing with this that does not involve gluing the thing together permanently (though that might be the best solution). Any thoughts?
Has anyone experienced a similar thing? I am trying to think of a good strategy for dealing with this that does not involve gluing the thing together permanently (though that might be the best solution). Any thoughts?
telescopes: XT6 and XT12 Dobsonians
binoculars: 15x70
binoculars: 15x70
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
I haven't had this problem with mine. My cold weather sessions tend to be short.
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
I had the same problem. Epoxy.
Or you could tape it, but then it still isn't right.
Mine had a very short plastic to plastic thread and I actually snapped mine out of the thread when I bumped it with my foehead.
Epoxy did the trick.
Or you could tape it, but then it still isn't right.
Mine had a very short plastic to plastic thread and I actually snapped mine out of the thread when I bumped it with my foehead.
Epoxy did the trick.
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
A single wrap of plumbers teflon tape should fill the treads enough that it will not loosen.
Gabrielle
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
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Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
You beat me by 2 minutes, Gabby...Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:08 pm A single wrap of plumbers teflon tape should fill the treads enough that it will not loosen.
It works great for taking up slop in threads...
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Well it is not as extreme as a couple of small dabs of blue locktite
Gabrielle
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1011110)
The only culture I have is from yogurt
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Or epoxy...Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:16 pm Well it is not as extreme as a couple of small dabs of blue locktite
In my case the thread actually broke off as a result of my clumsiness so I had no choice.
Definitely try the thread tape.
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Interesting you should mention that; mine did the same last year around -10F ( about -23C) and I thought I just had the "one" were tolerances weren't all that good. Perhaps it was an entire batch....
I'm sure there will be those who won't like this, but I used a dab of gasket sealer on mine. Spreads out well, and you can still take it apart or adjust it, though teflon tape would probably be better
Hope you get it fixed,
I'm sure there will be those who won't like this, but I used a dab of gasket sealer on mine. Spreads out well, and you can still take it apart or adjust it, though teflon tape would probably be better
Hope you get it fixed,
Mark
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Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
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Member of the RASC
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
We are currently trying the teflon tape. Two wraps was two many -- the threads wouldn't really grab. One wrap and it went together okay, but only time will really tell. I'm thinking of trying some RTV silicon or similar, if the teflon proves inadequate. Of course, I'm also trying to think of why I would need to preserve the ability to take it apart.
-10F? Mine fell apart a couple of weeks ago at just below freezing, so only -1 or -2 C (high 20s F). I've had it out before in temps around 5-10 F, but a couple of weeks ago was the first time it really fell apart.
-10F? Mine fell apart a couple of weeks ago at just below freezing, so only -1 or -2 C (high 20s F). I've had it out before in temps around 5-10 F, but a couple of weeks ago was the first time it really fell apart.
telescopes: XT6 and XT12 Dobsonians
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binoculars: 15x70
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
I knocked one of mine on a door frame while carrying my 12" outside a few years ago. The eyepiece end fell off the barrel. Ever after, when it would get cold, I would have a similar experience as yours. I ended up wrapping some black washi tape around it on the outside over the seam, and it has been secure and solid ever since.
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
If I had a problem like that I would use the liquid electrical tape that Home Depot, or the local Canadian Tire store sells.
It will dry and stay rubbery. It makes it very easy to be removed as well. A small dap of it and your set screws will stay!
Cheers....
It will dry and stay rubbery. It makes it very easy to be removed as well. A small dap of it and your set screws will stay!
Cheers....
Orion XT10i custom, Orion GiantView BT-70, Bushnell Natureview 20-60x65, Barska 25-125x80
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
I have the GSO 50mm version of this finder. It looks exactly the same as the Orion branded version. However, Orion calls it a 9x50, while GSO calls it an 8x50.
Anyway, I did wrap a turn of Teflon plumbers’ tape around the threads and put it back on (thanks again Lady Fraktor).
The threaded portion on the eyepiece assembly (plastic) that threads into the main finder tube (aluminum) is close to 1/4” wide on thisGSO . Is that different on the Orion finder?
It should be good. I don’t go out in below freezing weather anyway! Too cold for me, and the C-8 I have it on takes long to cool down with big temperature changes. 32* observing is for the refractor in my collection.
BTW. The finder color I got is silver-gray. Just didn’t look right on the orange C-8. So I got a can of spray paint at Lowe’s. It’s Satin Rustic Orange by Rustoleum and is a great match for the C-8 orange.
Thanks all. Joe
Anyway, I did wrap a turn of Teflon plumbers’ tape around the threads and put it back on (thanks again Lady Fraktor).
The threaded portion on the eyepiece assembly (plastic) that threads into the main finder tube (aluminum) is close to 1/4” wide on this
It should be good. I don’t go out in below freezing weather anyway! Too cold for me, and the C-8 I have it on takes long to cool down with big temperature changes. 32* observing is for the refractor in my collection.
BTW. The finder color I got is silver-gray. Just didn’t look right on the orange C-8. So I got a can of spray paint at Lowe’s. It’s Satin Rustic Orange by Rustoleum and is a great match for the C-8 orange.
Thanks all. Joe
JOE
NJ, near Phila, PA
Enjoying astronomy since the 1960s. Grew up and still live just miles from
Edmund Scientific Store (now closed).
C-80ED | AT-102ED | 6” DOB (1976 mirror) | C-8 Orange (early ‘80s)
NJ, near Phila, PA
Enjoying astronomy since the 1960s. Grew up and still live just miles from
Edmund Scientific Store (now closed).
C-80ED | AT-102ED | 6” DOB (1976 mirror) | C-8 Orange (early ‘80s)
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Update: The Teflon tape just doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I have not really been able to use the RACI all winter. It hasn't completely fallen apart again, but, when it is cold, I can tell that it is only loosely attached. Since I recently bought a jar of that liquid electrical tape that man1 mentioned, I think that will be the next thing to try.
telescopes: XT6 and XT12 Dobsonians
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binoculars: 15x70
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Surprised the Teflon tape didn't work. That's one of my "always in my toolbox" items along with Gorilla Glue, duct tape, and painters cauk.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
Two rounds of teflon tape worked for my GSO 8x50 RACI . I did fix it on one of the colder nights, maybe that was what allowed the two rounds of tape instead of one. Has been holding fine for the past couple of years.
AR
Scopes: Zhumell Z8, Meade Adventure 80mm, Bushnell 1300x100 Goto Mak.
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AP: 50mm guidescope, AR0130 based guidecam, Canon T3i, UHC filter.
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Scopes: Zhumell Z8, Meade Adventure 80mm, Bushnell 1300x100 Goto Mak.
Mount: ES EXOS Nano EQ Mount, DIY Arduino+Stepper drives.
AP: 50mm guidescope, AR0130 based guidecam, Canon T3i, UHC filter.
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
I gave up on tape and used some small self tapping screws, now dont worry about it going loose, tried all kinds of tape.
Neil
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Orion XT8i Dob, ES AR102
9x50 RACI Finder, TELRAD Reflex Sight, Electro Dot Sight RD400X
Agena SWA 38mm 70 FOV 2" EP, Orion 25+10mm Sirius Plossl 52 FOV EP
ES 82* 11mm, 18mm 2", ES 68* 24mm, 6mm, 25mm Ortho. EP, Televue 3X Barlow,CS lens 2.8mm-12mm F1.4
Filters Baader Continuum, UV/IF cut, Lumicon UHC, DGM OIII. ND5/3.8 Kendrick
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Re: RACI falls apart in the cold
100% if all the tape crap fails use a bolt always works for me not the best looking but works and its for everDragonsfire wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2020 3:50 pm I gave up on tape and used some small self tapping screws, now dont worry about it going loose, tried all kinds of tape.
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
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