Guest Ryall Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Heya folks I was gifted a http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/skywatcher-dual-speed-low-profile-1252-inch-crayford-focuser.html for my 300p this year and was excitedly trying to fit it this morning! It doesn't come with an instruction manual but I thought it'd be pretty obvious how to fit it. but it doesn't seem to be a happy straight fit. I removed the old focuser including base plate and tried to fit it in with/without the standard baseplate but it just doesn't look right. Is it meant to look awkward / leave gaps or have I gone and gotten the wrong kind of focuser for my dob? any help would be appreciated! Ryall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 I have bought the same focuser as you for my 300P and will be fitting it tomorrow so I'll let you know how I get on. According to FLO it's a direct replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Hope you have more luck than i did with the Tak and a direct fit of a new focuser LOL After 2 months, and lots of queries it actually now fits No instructions with mine either. I sad lack on astro equipment, none of it seems to come with instructions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Looking at the picture I would expect a small gap with this one and would be tempted to line it with flocking material. But I would deffo expect it to fit the existing holes as indicated in the advert. It'll be interesting to see how you get on with this Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 (edited) As per above, gap expected (i made a layer to go under the base plate out of carbon fibre to prevent light ingress) but screw holes should align Edited December 26, 2012 by Kheldar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Thanks for the tips everyone! glad I wasn't being a spoon (that much of a spoon) Might wait until Mick does his then re-attempt fitting it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Yup - good idea - Mick usually comes up with a very professional (and usually the best) solution where dobs are concerned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Maybe just make a square gasket with a round hole for the focuser in it out of black foam. This will fill the gap perfectly and not need too much mucking about to fit it. Don't forget to check the focuser is square after you have fitted it. Dion from AstronomyShed.co.uk has done some really good tutorial vids which are both on the forum and Youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Well fitted it today and all went fine, holes lined up and the focuser sat very square. I agree a little light ingress at the edges but I cut some packing and it all fitted very easy. Ryall not sure what you did and why yours doesn't fit, if you can post up some photo's. Here's some of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 TWO Telrads.....That's just greedy! Looks nice Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 One for the Telrad riser and one for the wixey and dew controller. Just needs tidying and secondary heater mod and a bit of paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Oh, very nice. You always do a tidy job Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 What did I tell you Ryall..... very smart Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 And here I was thinking it was a Telrad for each eye Nice neat job Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Grand thank you! so no baseplate needed from the looks? I was only concerned that went fitted it didn't appear flush with the OTA. I shall take a page from your book and use the packaging around the edges. I'll fit it tomorrow and take some pics as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 You can use the base plate but you will need longer screws. Not tested though. It has been collimated with both sighttube and laser. But to many clouds for testing, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Have tested it on Jupiter and being a low profile focuser I need a little extention, luckily I had one. With the extention inserted the focuser works wonderfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Installed it fine now, no problems but not tested. Dont have an extension however Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Nice one Ryall. Feels good modding your scope doesn't it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Nice one Ryall. Feels good modding your scope doesn't it! Makes me scared! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I had my first go with the new focuser last night could get any focused image out of it is there a specific extension tube I need to buy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 I have the 50mm one shown here: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adaptors/two-inch-focus-extension-tubes.html But any one will do. With your eyepiece in the focuser loosen it and withdraw it slowly until it reaches focus. If it's like mine it will be just on the lip of the focuser then measure the gap. You do know that the foucser has it's own drawtube you pull out to aid focusing, but it's still not enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryall Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Ordered, thanks for the help again! Yeah I did discover the drawtube with a bit of fiddling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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