RACI falls apart in the cold

[MrShorty]

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?

[notFritzArgelander]

I haven't had this problem with mine. My cold weather sessions tend to be short.

[Don Quixote]

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.

[Lady Fraktor]

A single wrap of plumbers teflon tape should fill the treads enough that it will not loosen.

[JimMinCT]

A single wrap of plumbers teflon tape should fill the treads enough that it will not loosen.

You beat me by 2 minutes, Gabby...
It works great for taking up slop in threads...

[Lady Fraktor]

Well it is not as extreme as a couple of small dabs of blue locktite

[Don Quixote]

Well it is not as extreme as a couple of small dabs of blue locktite

Or epoxy...
In my case the thread actually broke off as a result of my clumsiness so I had no choice.

Definitely try the thread tape.

[Thefatkitty]

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,

[MrShorty]

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.

[bladekeeper]

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.

[man1]

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....

[Joe1950]

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 this GSO. 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

[MrShorty]

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.

[pakarinen]

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.

[ARock]

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.

[Dragonsfire]

I gave up on tape and used some small self tapping screws, now dont worry about it going loose, tried all kinds of tape.

[Richard]

I gave up on tape and used some small self tapping screws, now dont worry about it going loose, tried all kinds of tape.

100% if all the tape crap fails use a bolt always works for me not the best looking but works and its for ever