SW 150 mac / cass

[Gordon]

I just ordered a SkyWatcher Skymax 150 along with a ZWO eaf and the corresponding bracket.

This is my first step into the world of long focal length so it should be an adventure. I've done a lot of reading so hopefully, I can get it up and running without too much trouble.

Wish me luck!

[JayTee]

Don't forget to match your guide scope with the new FL of your "long" FL main imager. Ideally, 4 to 1 but no worse than 10 to 1.

[Bigzmey]

Congrats on the new glass Gordon! I am a happy user of 180mm version, it has fine optics but came with lousy focuser. I have upgraded mine to Feathertouch.

[messier 111]

congratulations, I look forward to reading your impressions.
I had a 127 and I really liked it.

[Lady Fraktor]

Enjoy the new telescope Gordon, Maks are nice optics

[starfield]

Should be a great rig. Does this mean that the AZ monsoon season will come out for an encore in October?

[Gordon]

Should be a great rig. Does this mean that the AZ monsoon season will come out for an encore in October?

I sure hope not!

I'm starting to get some clear days and nights again.

[Graeme1858]

All the best of luck with the new Mak Gordon.

Looking forward to reading your reports and seeing your images.

Graeme

[Solsearcher]

Solar mod Gord ?
Baader makes an ERF that will fit that scope
I hope it doesn't come with too many clouds !!

[Gordon]

Well, getting closer, scope got here, nothing damaged. EAF (electronic focuser) and bracket got here Friday. I spent the day modifying the computer/power distribution box to be able to easily switch from the ES80ed to the SW 150. I updated the firmware on the EAF to allow for 600000 steps for the Mac Cas. I had to get a drill bit so I can enlarge the focuser adapter to fit the shaft on the new scope. It’s supposed to be here tomorrow and the I can do some daytime focus testing to get close, I all goes well, tomorrow night will be first light.

[Graeme1858]

Exciting stuff!

What filters are you going to be using?

Graeme

[Gordon]

Exciting stuff!

What filters are you going to be using?

Graeme

I will start out with the ASI553mc color camera with no filters, then play around to see what seems to work the best.

[sdbodin]

I will start out with the ASI553mc color camera with no filters, then play around to see what seems to work the best.

Does the 533mc have a built-in IR cut? Otherwise, the color will look $*it brindle brown and unfixable like my 1600mc.

Just asking,
Steve

[Gordon]

I will start out with the ASI553mc color camera with no filters, then play around to see what seems to work the best.

Does the 533mc have a built-in IR cut? Otherwise the color will look $*it brindle brown and unfixable like my 1600mc.

Just asking,
Steve

Hi Steve,
No it doesn't, I have one in my 'stuff' that I can add if I need it, so far the images I've captured have come out okay, so we will see with the new scope and planets.

[Gordon]

I finally got the focus dialed in. I spent a few hours yesterday attempting to focus using the EAF motorized focuser. I use a stand of trees about 200 yards to get a rough focus point. I just couldn't find it. The scope has 37 turns of range so using the EAF you are talking 194,400 steps! (I always "Pad" the stops so it's actually closer to 200,000), I finally gave up, removed the EAF, and manually focused the trees, then counted the full turns back to zero (12 turns), reinstalled the EAF, and ran it 12 turns out. I then attempted to focus on the trees and got it dialed in 69200 steps. My normal focus setting for my refractor is about 2500 with a full range of 10,000 steps.
Hopefully now that it appears we will have a clear sky, I can get a first light.

[Bigzmey]

You are getting there Gordon! Fingers crossed for the first light.

[helicon]

Hope the first light works out! How exciting!

[JayTee]

Thanks for that info and technique Gordon. An EAF is definitely in my near future.

Glad you got it sorted out too.

[Gordon]

Well, the grand experiment didn't work out so well. After getting close and then trying to dial things in for the focus, things kept getting worse. I then realized something wasn't quite right. I opened it up and the focus shaft attachment point was broken. It appears it had been damaged (it was kinda wonky binding every turn or so when focusing by hand.) so it appears it just snapped. I got a return authorization and will be shipping it back today. I haven't made a decision if I will replace it or not. It was very disappointing

[JayTee]

That's surprising that the ZWO product failed like that. That was the EAF I had planned on buying. I'm following your exploits with great interest.

Sorry about that,