New member starting pst mod

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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All and Happy New Year! Its been a bit since I last updated. So, I have successfully disassembled my pst! I have also received my donor ota, Celestron 102 xlt, and should receive my Lunt 100mm erf this week. Im currently deciding whether or not to replace the stock focuser. I also have to work out the erf mounting. Im excited to complete this project so that I can start some imaging! Thanks for all of the assistance that ive received so far.

Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

great. Please pics ;-)


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Good work! Definitely, pictures 8)


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hello All!
Its been a bit since I last updated. I have everything completed except my choice of solutions for more in focus. As I see it, from my research, I can either shorten my ota, replace the focuser for one that is lower profile or maybe replace the bf diagonal for a straight thru solution. Im leaning towards the latter. Has anyone converted their Coronado diagonal bf to a straight thru version? A couple of other quick questions...how much tilt do I need to provide to the erf...ive read 1mm to maybe 2mm...is this correct? Lastly, since I have an external erf do I still need to use the mini-erf? Thanks for all of your help so far!! Im getting closer to first light!

Best Regards,
Ricky

What follows are pics of my setup as is...first up my Lunt 100mm erf.




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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Here's a pic of the etalon assembly...




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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Here's a pic of the front of the ota with the erf assembly...




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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Finally, here's a pic of the whole scope...




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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Ricky,
Looks good.
The front ERF just needs a small tilt to reduce reflections and ghosting - 2mm would be more than enough.
The "key" is to have the etalon at the majic -200mm inside the prime focus. Once positioned, IT NEVER MOVES. This then means that the final focus will be 200mm from the etalon. You will need some sort of focuser after the etalon.

The ITF in the Coronado BF diagonal adds "belt and braces" to the ERF by further reducing the UV/IR. There's no real reason to remove it - leave it in place.
Why would you want to convert the BF to a straight thru? There's usually more than enough space (in the 200mm) for the diagonal and your camera etc.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

fine pics a great mod. CS for the next days, we like to see pics from the sun


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Good stuff! Will look forward to seeing how you get on :)


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks for the suggestions! I have finally procured a used Coronado BF15...coming all the way from New Zealand thanks to my friend Gary Beal!

Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All,
Here are my latest mod pics...still waiting for my focuser.

Best regards,
Ricky
Attachments
pst_mod1_c102xlt.jpg
pst_mod1_c102xlt.jpg (120.94 KiB) Viewed 5000 times
pst_mod_etalon_placement_c102xlt.jpg
pst_mod_etalon_placement_c102xlt.jpg (118.73 KiB) Viewed 5000 times
pst_mod_1_c102xlt.jpg
pst_mod_1_c102xlt.jpg (120.75 KiB) Viewed 5000 times


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

The mod 2 simply replaces the pst black box with the focuser, extensions, and bf15...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

that looks great


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

TY! Do you think im close enough to the 200mm mark?

Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Ricky,
Probably close enough at this stage.
You'll quickly find out when you first use it. The focus position (at the black box eyepiece) should remain unchanged for what you had with the original PST.
Once correctly positioned you still use the focuser on the black box - not the one on the scope!


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks Merlin! Clouds have hampered my first light attempt...maybe next week sometime. Im still awaiting my JMI NGF-CM focuser w/DRO Controller. Currently, you'll notice in a pic or two above, I have a 2" sct visual back coming off the rear of the etalon. As has already been mentioned, the fit is less than perfect. I have wrapped Teflon tape around the etalon threads to snug things up a bit but its still not as solid a connection as I would prefer. Solarhound in a previous thread says the twist end of the Antares 2" twistlock threads on so I have a used one coming in. From whichever adapter I end up with I will attach a 2" to sct adapter which will in turn be attached to the focuser. The back end of the focuser will accommodate the BF15 (with the appropriate adapter)...this of course is the plan. LOL. As a side note, I accidentally stumbled upon a Point Grey Chameleon imager for a very nice price! We are getting close...

Best Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All,
First light! Not the best but its something! Im still awaiting my focuser. Thanks for all the help...its gotten me this far.

Best Regards,
Ricky
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First light...
First light...
103858.jpg (178.32 KiB) Viewed 5077 times


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

congrats on the new PGR Baby and a good start for the first light. The tuning of the etalon is a key next to the focusing


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks! I was playing with the tuning and was able to catch a very nice prominence as well!
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sol_103858_g3_b3_ap90_rs.jpg
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All,
Just received the last piece to complete my PST Mod2...the NGF-CM electric focuser! Looking forward to some sunshine now.

Regards,
Ricky
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IMG_3960.jpg
IMG_3960.jpg (258.97 KiB) Viewed 5006 times
IMG_3962.jpg
IMG_3962.jpg (247.11 KiB) Viewed 5006 times
IMG_3959.jpg
IMG_3959.jpg (223.6 KiB) Viewed 5006 times


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Ricky,
Certainly looks sexy, and probably overkill...
Watch the total length of the stack....
Based on previous builds the distance from the rear of the PST etalon to the front face the BF10 should be very close to 120mm (if you want to image) - this gives the final distance to sensor at 200mm.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks Merlin. I think I can shorten the stack a little. I got the focuser for cheap with dro controller. Crossing fingers.

Best Regards,
Ricky

PS I reprocessed my first light solar image and include it here...I like it much more.
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sol_104954_g3_b3_ap340_2.jpg
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

that looks great and congratulations on the rework. Now you are very close to good pics


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Ok..based upon some words of wisdom from Merlin here is a bit of rework on the rear stack of my ota. Fully racked in I get very close to 120mm to the bf15 diagonal from the rear lens; fully racked out I get 140mm. Now for some sunlight to test her out!

Best Regards,
Ricky
Attachments
IMG_3971.jpg
IMG_3971.jpg (197.49 KiB) Viewed 4994 times
IMG_3968.jpg
IMG_3968.jpg (198.47 KiB) Viewed 4994 times


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Argh...racked in looks closer to 125-130mm...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All,
Here is second light with the focuser installed...much easier to focus now!

Regards,
Ricky
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115145_g3_b3_ap412.jpg
115145_g3_b3_ap412.jpg (345.15 KiB) Viewed 4451 times
114036_g3_b3_ap103_2.jpg
114036_g3_b3_ap103_2.jpg (302.77 KiB) Viewed 4451 times
113743_g3_b3_ap483_2.jpg
113743_g3_b3_ap483_2.jpg (257.52 KiB) Viewed 4451 times


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Getting close - I can feel the heat!!
I'd pump up the exposure a bit.....
Onwards and Upwards....


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks Merlin! I will pump it next outing! Boy this is fun! Looking forward to the summer time when I can try using powermates.

Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

congratulations you move on fast :beanie:


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Great results!


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All,
I thought I would update the group on my imaging progress with some new pics.

Best Regards,
Ricky
Attachments
131759_g3_ap108.jpg
131759_g3_ap108.jpg (30.27 KiB) Viewed 4411 times
125901_g3_ap219.jpg
125901_g3_ap219.jpg (278.7 KiB) Viewed 4411 times
140001_g3_ap836.jpg
140001_g3_ap836.jpg (252.76 KiB) Viewed 4411 times
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

great progress :band


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks!!!


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Im curious about tuning...I guess the hot spots will always be there no matter the tuning? Im also considering the use of ND filters...I would like to increase exposure times but my gain setting is as low as it will go in FC. I think I read somewhere someone else doing this.

Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Try rotating the etalon assembly in the donor scope focuser, there will be a point that gives most even illumination across the field of view...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Ok! I will try that. Now I want a much larger aperature ha scope! lol


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Carbon60 »

Nice progress, Ricky.

Stu.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

Warning, it is not all about the opening, it is how you drive the car ;-)


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Starry Jack »

Ricky,
Is this post still active? How did you mount the ERF? My 100mm Lunt should be here this week and I have the Celestron Nexstar 102GT. I could not interpret the photo of the ERF you posted.

Best,
Jack


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi Jack,
I bought some 4" pvc plumbing parts and audio cables to mount, cushion and tilt the erf...ill try to get some detailed pics up later in the day.

Regards,
Ricky


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