Newer model PST Mod

[Forgey]

I have a newer model PST that i'm looking at modding for solar imaging.
Is there anyone who has modded the newer PST's that might be able to point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

[JB80]

Is there a great deal more difference in the newer models?
Anyhoo, Ken(Merlin66) is your man. Send him a PM and I'm sure he can help you out.

[Merlin66]

Which "newer" model PST?
I have modded almost 100 PST's successfully and have a PST Mod write-up available, just drop me an email address for a copy.

[Forgey]

Thanks Ken, PM sent :)

[Poita]

Ken's document is extremely useful, I found it a bit confusing at first, but got there in the end.
The hardest bit really is getting the parts unscrewed, the rest is pretty straight forward.
As long as you get the right Energy Rejection Filter, (ERF) then the rest is pretty easy.
Ken's guide has all the nitty gritty, but basically, get the sodding thing unscrewed, get a donor scope to replace the objective and tube you remove from the PST. Put the ERF up in front of the new objective, attach the PST body the correct distance from the objective of the new scope, and you are away.
You can then ditch the black box and it's horrid focuser as well, transferring the blocking filter into a celestron 1.25" diagonal, and replacing the black box with a crayford or helical focuser.

I found the bintel SCT crayford focuser a good cheap alternative to the 'black box', but would have preferred to get the helical focuser if I could have found it.

Anyway, that is the gist of it, Ken's document is the 'bible' to follow.

Be careful of course, if the ERF and blocking filter are not securely attached and in the right places you could lose your sight or damage your gear. Check everything thrice, make sure it is all nice and secure and ask if in doubt!

[Forgey]

Thanks for the tips Peter. Have had a read though Ken's guide and its a lot to take in, will have to re-read it a few more times to get the jist of all it i think. Hubby is good with projects like this so this will keep him busy!

Also thanks for the write up Ken, much appreciated!