New member starting pst mod

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New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi All!
My name is Ricky and have been following these pst related mod threads for a bit. Ive decided to attempt it myself! So far, ive procured a brand new Celestron Omni 102 xlt ota. Thats it! lol Ill probably pu a new pst since they are currently on sale. Ive decided to go with a Lunt 100mm erf. I think ill also just start by using the included bf5 as some of the solar images look awesome using it. I saw an earlier thread in regards to mounting the erf...im thinking about p/u a white light solar filter and mounting my erf into it; it seems like a relatively inexpensive way of doing it. Im still looking at the optical train between the focuser and ep/ccd. I hope to keep y'all updated as to my progress. And by all means let me know of some of the tricks of the trade that may help me!

Best Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

Ricky,
Welcome to the best solar forum on the web!
I have a pdf document on PST mods available. Just drop me an email for a copy.
kenm(dot)Harrison(at)gmail(dot)com


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Welcome! Lots of people here to help ypu with that mod :)


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Richy

welcome to that wonderful site. Have sun, fun and mod ;-)


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

I hope everyone had a nice holiday period! Now back to the work at hand...I picked a used pst and am having a dickens of a time trying to get the etalon off as well as the blocking filter. I knew going in that some of the older psts had locktite added to the threads. Ive been using a strap wrench but to no avail. Is there another method or is brute force the only option?

Best Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Generally brute force is pretty much the only way. Can you hold the body of the PST in a bench vice while you twist with the boa?


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

I have a small vise...ill give it a go. Thanks.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

wrap the body in some cloth so as not to mark it...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

I used the super trooper hair dryer from the lab to soften the loctite


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Allcart »

Also try wrapping some masking tape round the part where the strap wrench grips. It provides more grip for the rubber strap.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Lets try this again...the blocking filter and erf modules are free. I just broke my strap wrench trying to free up the etalon assembly from the black box...lol My goodness its on tight! Will adding heat (<200 F) to the etalon assembly damage the etalon?


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by Merlin66 »

I assume by removing the eyepiece/ blocking filter assembly you're going for a Stage 2 mod.
What do you have in mind for the final focuser?


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi Ken,
Larry Alvarez gave me a very nice drawing of the pst stage 2 mod. According to those plans I can use the stock focuser on the donor scope.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Is it all disassembled now as you need then?


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

So far ive only released the rear assembly. Im still working on getting the etalon assembly off the black box...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Have you taken off the rubber tuning ring?


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

I have removed rubber tuning ring. Id like to apply approx. 200F heat via a heat gun to the etalon assembly to try to break the Loctite seal but I don't know if the etalon itself will be damaged...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by solarchat »

just a note.. while you are not breaking any rules here as we don't have many...but I would strongly suggest that perhaps you don't destroy your solar scope unless you know what you are doing. This forum is designed to promote solar astronomy outreach and I am glad to have the mod forum here because some people are obsessed with this stuff, but I, as the owner of this forum, do NOT under any circumstances recommend forcibly disassembling a perfectly good, or damaged for that matter, solar telescope for any reason.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Hi Steve,
I fully understand where you are coming from.

Best Regards,
Ricky


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

I have removed rubber tuning ring. Id like to apply approx. 200F heat via a heat gun to the etalon assembly to try to break the Loctite seal but I don't know if the etalon itself will be damaged...

Have you also taken off the metal collar that it goes onto? This has a single retaining screw.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

I have removed the metal collar as well...it slipped right off. I think ill try brute force again with a different strap wrench as I really don't want to expose the etalon to heat. My donor ota will arrive next week. Im still in search of a 100mm erf. I also need to order the rest of the parts needed for the final after focuser assembly.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Yup, I think I would go for the brute force approach rather than heat, especially so close to the exposed etalon. Or, as a radical idea, if you are not using the black box anymore take off the side panel and apply the heat to the threads from the inside of the box...


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Ricky

you can always release the etalon from the housing, then use the heat and reasssemble it again later


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by dgcclubmaker »

Thanks for all of the suggestions...im going to try brute force one more time then consider removing the etalon before applying heat. I have just contacted Lunt to order up the 100mm erf.


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Re: New member starting pst mod

Post by marktownley »

Make sure you clamp the body in a vice when you use brute force...


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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 4998 times
pst_mod_etalon_placement_c102xlt.jpg
pst_mod_etalon_placement_c102xlt.jpg (118.73 KiB) Viewed 4998 times
pst_mod_1_c102xlt.jpg
pst_mod_1_c102xlt.jpg (120.75 KiB) Viewed 4998 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 :)

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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 5075 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 :)

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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
sol_103858_g3_b3_ap90_rs.jpg (41.09 KiB) Viewed 5016 times


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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 (258.97 KiB) Viewed 5004 times
IMG_3962.jpg
IMG_3962.jpg (247.11 KiB) Viewed 5004 times
IMG_3959.jpg
IMG_3959.jpg (223.6 KiB) Viewed 5004 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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swisswalter
Way More Fun to Share It!!
Way More Fun to Share It!!
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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 :)

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dgcclubmaker
Oh, I get it now!
Oh, I get it now!
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Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2013 6:03 pm

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
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