DIY stuff and getting ready...

[man1]

Finally I got my Telescope last Friday and I have been busy doing some of the DIY stuff that I wanted to do. What better way to learn how to collimate than by removing the complete spider....LOL. I installed the Flocking board that I had ordered and darkened the back of the mirror and my Fosuser tube. Doing the Focuser tube was also a combination...since I had to remove it anyway to install my dual speed add-on. Works like a charm! At the same time while all was apart I marked the tube center on the Flocking board with a dot. I finished wiring some of my heaters at least all the major once, the toughest part was sewing all the seems by hand. I tested them and all work great. Then I drilled and installed the lid of a 5 gallon bucket as my fan support using Velcro to hold all in place. I installed my camera and installed all the software to my w10 laptop. I will have to make a laptop stand yet... something that mounts to the telescope base and turns along with it. I am not sure if I will turn the AZ base from the laptop or if I make a separate manual left-right type of button setup. Moving the base (AZ) I don't care for an optical or magnetic encoder since I have no need to track or to go back to a certain AZ point. All I want is a super smooth rotation.

Yesterday it started raining...and still raining today..... All I was able to do was align my guiding equipment from the deck since there is a roof over it.... there was Corn and Soybeans as far as the eye looked...LOL.... no neighbors!

All is clear as mud...LOL, but I am still not sure what to do at -20C with the scope..... food being grown all around. There are lots of mice and I don't want to leave my stuff in the garage or shed. If I bring it in the house, what then... I heat with wood and the house is at a steady +20C. Any ideas.... It was so much easier having used my binoculars and my target spotting scope for so many years.... but to be able to see more detail - will be a thrill..!!!!!

Cheers, man1

[bladekeeper]

Just set the scope out about an hour, hour and a half, prior to observing time to allow the primary mirror time to acclimate during cold weather. Leave the tube uncapped so the warmer air inside can escape to reduce tube currents. You'll know when you have tube currents. A defocused star will appear like a nest of writhing snakes.

Nice mods!

[Lady Fraktor]

Good luck with the first viewing session

[man1]

Just set the scope out about an hour, hour and a half, prior to observing time to allow the primary mirror time to acclimate during cold weather. Leave the tube uncapped so the warmer air inside can escape to reduce tube currents. You'll know when you have tube currents. A defocused star will appear like a nest of writhing snakes.

Nice mods!

Thanks for your advice to give enough time to let the mirrors cool down enough. I am planing to run the fan all the time and just vary the fan speed as needed. Now..., you are very experienced what do you recommend when I bring the scope back into the heated basement. My winters are average -20C outside and +20C inside. I am curious... I heard some folks stand their telescope on end primary up, some say horizontal so that the moisture runs of the mirrors. I was even thinking putting a removable felt liner on the outside of the big tube. Your advice would be very much appreciated...

btw.: I really liked your moon pictures that you posted. Awesome pictures, - you have a very nice telescope setup! I was googling to see what your scope looks like - very cool!

Cheers, man1

[man1]

Good luck with the first viewing session

Thanks.... Today it is still raining and I have to wait a bit longer. Funny everyone told me, the weather will not be good as soon as I get the scope..... ;-)

Cheers,man1

[bladekeeper]

Thanks for your advice to give enough time to let the mirrors cool down enough. I am planing to run the fan all the time and just vary the fan speed as needed. Now..., you are very experienced what do you recommend when I bring the scope back into the heated basement. My winters are average -20C outside and +20C inside. I am curious... I heard some folks stand their telescope on end primary up, some say horizontal so that the moisture runs of the mirrors. I was even thinking putting a removable felt liner on the outside of the big tube. Your advice would be very much appreciated...

btw.: I really liked your moon pictures that you posted. Awesome pictures, - you have a very nice telescope setup! I was googling to see what your scope looks like - very cool!

Cheers, man1

I store my dobsonian OTA on its base and typically park it at around a 45° angle or so. When I stored it inside a warm house, I typically had the dust cap and focuser dust plug installed prior to bring it inside. With the open mirror-end of the scope, condensation still forms. Usually removing the dust cover for a while would allow the glass to clear nicely as the mirror warmed, then I'd replace the dust cover.

I'd be inclined to store the scope horizontal and on the base. My buddy John has a rack in his garage where he stores his OTAs in padded and zippered bags.

I would be leary of storing the OTA with the mirror end up in a standing position. That is the by far the heaviest end of the scope and would be easily knocked over inadvertently. That just scares me.

Thanks for the kind words on the lunar images!