2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

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Solarhound
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2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by Solarhound »

I had been looking for a Coronado SM90 II etalon for a while now and was lucky enough to find a gently used one . I made an adapter ring to fit the threads in the end of the retractable dew shield . I just removed the stop ring and installed the etalon so my mod is double stacked now .
As you can omagine this made it difficult to reach both etalons for adjusting and still be able to view the live view and I needed a solution . I was using a Moonlight DC motorized focuser for this mod so I purchased a second motor made a small bracket and mounted it to a couple of existing tapped holes in the Moonlight body . For the drive I used a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner belt and it works like a charm . My hand controler has 2 channels so this puts focus as well as internal etalon tuning on one remote control . Now I can set up with the external etalon within easy reach and adjust everything easily and maintain a good view of the screen . Here is the Moonlight with the additional motor for etalon tuning , this can also be used in my 150 Istar mod as well .
IMG_1294.JPG
IMG_1294.JPG (85.51 KiB) Viewed 2389 times
IMG_1296.JPG
IMG_1296.JPG (65.09 KiB) Viewed 2389 times
Here is the scope fully equipped and double stacked
IMG_1298.JPG
IMG_1298.JPG (114.26 KiB) Viewed 2389 times
I have only had a couple of opportunities to use this double stacked due to consistent cloud cover , these are some first light double stacked images from November 10 - 14
Nov 10 j3m.jpg
Nov 10 j3.jpg
Nov 10 j7i.jpg
Nov 10 j12m.jpg
Nov 10 j12.jpg
Nov 10 j13m.jpg
Nov 10 j13.jpg


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marktownley
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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by marktownley »

Very very nice! That works well! :)


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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by Valery »

Impressive small setup! Very good contrast and good evenness across FOV.


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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by Carbon60 »

Nice bit of engineering. Looks great. Nice images too.

Stu


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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Mike

congratulations on the mod and the first lights which came out very fine


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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Mike,
The external (original) SM filters I found matched well to the internal PST etalon.
I used a 60mm DS system and was very impressed.
I think your results show similar results!
Well done!


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Re: 2 Additions to my 100mm Skywatcher Mod

Post by Solarhound »

Thank you all for the kind comments . It has been the fine modders on this site that have inspired me to do this and of course Stephens open mindedness for providing all of us with a place where mods can be freely discussed .
If there are any Moonlight users out there that are considering remote etalon tuning I would be happy to duplicate the bracket I used to mount the motor and include a belt. The bracket will mount to existing tapped holes in the Moonlight body.

I was very lucky to find the 90mm etalon , it was on a Double stacked SM90 II that was purchased this spring so this is a later model SM II etalon with the Rich View tuning . I was able to convince the seller to sell me just the external . I don't believe that the seller had ever seen what the external could do because I had to move the stop pin 2 holes to bring it fully on band .
Merlin66 you are quite correct this SM 90 II does mate well with the PST etalon . Another piece of good advice came from Mark , I chose to mount the etalon to the dew shield so I coukd easily rotate the etalon , and yes it does make a difference . Thanks Mark and everyone else here who have offered their knowledge and inspiration .

Mike


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