SN6 Restore

[moonpie4594]

I'm looking for advice on restoring a 2002 SN6 that has been stored away for 17 yrs. At the time I got so disgusted with the drive problems I mothballed it. Due to renewed interest and the fact that I have heard some positive reports on the OTA is it really worth messing with? Even though it was put away with all covers in place it now has spiderwebs inside and will have to have the optics removed. Any advice will be appreciated.

[Gordon]

Typically older meade optics are good so It's probably worth the effort. Do you have any photos?

After doing some poking around it appears you can find them used for about $100.00 so it has some value.

[a100171]

I have all three of these (6" 8" 10") and have nothing but good to say. The 6" is light, and does not present a large wind target. I have had it out at -17 degrees looking at M42, which looked amazing, and almost 3D.

I spent more on the focuser (Moonlight) than the scope. And it is still in very-good shape, and was made very well.

I actually bought a special polymer ("First Contact Polymer) to try and thoroughly clean a hazy corrector on the SN-10. Brush-on and peel. Just haven't gotten around to it.

[StarBru]

I think the Meade SN's are an amazing design with great optics! I still can't believe they are no longer in production! The 6" would be nice because it is the lightest of the three, but Gordon can tell you a lot more about it since he owns one. Just be aware that the front and back optics come perfectly aligned and need to be marked with the tube before you take it apart. I can give you a copy of the file on how to do that along with other upgrades/maintenance if you need it, and it's also still available online, I think.

I currently own two of the LXD55 10" versions. I bought the 2nd one because it came with the JMI hard case, vixen style finder base, and an upgraded JMI motorized crayford focuser. I plan to sell one of them in the near future.

As for maintenance and upgrades I have taken both of them completely apart, cleaned the primary mirrors and front correctors, changed all the hardware to stainless steel, tightened the secondary assemblies because they come loose over time, added Scopestuff's secondary collimation screws and dovetail replacement bars, and added a GSO 8x50 RACI Finder with the Vixen style dovetail base to the first scope, and added home-made Wilson rotating rings.

The LXD mount that my first scope came with cannot handle the 30 pound OTA weight. I have converted my original scope to a Dobson mount until I can afford a larger mount. Here is a photo of it:

[moonpie4594]

Thanks for the replies. It is very helpful to get advice from members who have been there. Sometimes there might maybe could possibly be some misinformation out there on the web. Yes?

Gordon,
I will try to post some pics tomorrow.
If the scope is only worth $100 I will keep it and make it my next project.
I'm presently recuperating from a ruptured quadriceps tendon resulting from a fall. Happened in the house, not out in the dark!
So I have plenty of time for this project.
And, one more thing - Do you play guitar left handed or is your avatar flipped? Ha

a100171,
This sounds very encouraging. If your 3 SNs are good mine should be worth cleaning/upgrading.
The "First Contact Polymer" sounds like a good way to clean the corrector. Less chance of scratching/sleeking.
But maybe you can go first and let me know.

StarBru,
Shame on you for hording SN10s! I went for the TP. I have the disassembly instructions from the Weisner LXD55-75 site. Can you verify this is the correct one?
My budget won't allow me to do all the upgrades, but cleaning and collimation are within my reach now.
Love the photo. The SN10 looks right at home on the SkyQuest rocker box. Also the home-made rotating ring is great to get that eyepiece in the no-contortionist position

[Gordon]

I'm a lefty.

[StarBru]

StarBru,
Shame on you for hording SN10s! I went for the TP. I have the disassembly instructions from the Weisner LXD55-75 site. Can you verify this is the correct one?
My budget won't allow me to do all the upgrades, but cleaning and collimation are within my reach now.
Love the photo. The SN10 looks right at home on the SkyQuest rocker box. Also the home-made rotating ring is great to get that eyepiece in the no-contortionist position

Thanks, and yes, the Weasner site is the correct one. At one time Ocean Pacific Telescopes (OPT) had some good hints & tips, I don't know if it's included at the Weasner site or not. It helps to be able to add on upgraded focuser or a vixen style finder base if needed when you remove the back and front optics from the tube, otherwise you will have to remove them again when you add those items down the road.

[moonpie4594]

Thanks StarBru
Maybe I should hold off on the teardown until I at least have an upgrade for the focuser on hand. I will consider this.

[StarBru]

Thanks StarBru
Maybe I should hold off on the teardown until I at least have an upgrade for the focuser on hand. I will consider this.

I actually didn't install an upgraded focuser on my original OTA when I took it apart to clean and tighten up the optics, I didn't want to wait. I have taken it apart several times since then to perform the Ultimate Collimation procedure and for other reasons. Once you get past the nervousness of tearing it apart the first time, it's no big deal after that.

[moonpie4594]

Ok, I have completed my considering. It's time for me to have at it!

[moonpie4594]

Pics of Meade SN6's current condition.

[StarBru]

Yep! Both the front corrector front and back, the primary, and probably the secondary mirrors are going to need a good cleaning! Looks like spider webs in the tube as well! Did you get the front cover with it to protect the corrector?

Whew! I thought mine was bad before I cleaned it! Be careful with taking it apart and cleaning it! You can probably Google info on how it should be done unless you already have it. Unless you have cleaned telescope optics before?

[moonpie4594]

Hey StarBru

It did come with the front cover. Both it and the focuser plug were in place when I stored it away. Also I added a few packs of desicant and wrapped it in plastic. Placed in one of those Rubbermaid bins that I lined with foam. And there it sat in the corner of the observatory for 17 years. Seems time wins out over the preparations made.

I have cleaned the optics in my 6" f8 newt following the instructions in the Meade owner's manual. Running water, mild detergent solution, and then alcohol to prevent spotting. But I've never cleaned a corrector so I need to research that.

BTW I always wondered why the Meade LXD55 mount didn't come wtith hearing protectors?

[StarBru]

I carefully cleaned my corrector, secondary, and primary on both my SN10's by blowing off loose dust using a combination of canned air and a photographer's air bulb without the brush attached. Then I used Zeiss liquid optics cleaner and Zeiss wipes and finished with a lens cloth often provided when buying eyeglasses or other optics. It worked really great but yours looks like it will need the same cleaning you gave your 6" f/8.

Lol, Meade motors are so loud my neighbors' dogs start barking! To be fair they bark whenever I am observing in my back yard without using the LXD55. No complaints from the neighbors yet.