Cleaning/dismantling of ED80 optics.

[acropolite]

Had my ED80 in pieces tonight and I noticed what looks like small spots of mold inside the objective. I say inside, as I remember some years ago getting moisture inside the objective (between the elements) and taking a fair amount of care to keep the unit warm enough to dry it out. I suspact that my efforts weren't successful and perhaps some moist air remained in between the elements, hence the spots. Has anyone out there sucessfully dismantled and reassembled the front element of an ED80 and if it's a difficult job is there anyone in Australia who can dismantle, clean and re-assemble the optics?

[Tinderboxsky]

Hi Phil,

A thread earlier this month probably provides your best option if you do need to look for an expert to dismantle and clean your lens.
The title is <Best refractor "scopesmith" in Australia> by LewisM. Sorry I cannot get the active link to work.

Steve.

[acropolite]

Thanks Steve found the thread http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=111697 , I'll contact Roger and arrange to get it cleaned.

[Barrykgerdes]

I was going to suggest Roger but Gary already did. He is the real expert in this area.

Barry

[LewisM]

I ended up cleaning the DED108SS myself. Just made sure to mark positions first (these are EXCEEDINGLY sensitive to collimation, being a 4 element design). I used 6% hydrogen peroxide to kill and clean off the mold.

I did clean my ED80 once. Easy enough, but need to prepare well (suction cup holders etc.)

Roger is away to mid-October by memory. I may still need a slight collimation from him, as that is one area I am not going to fiddle with. His costs are reasonable (collimate refractor = $60, clean objective = $120)

[White Rabbit]

I had the same issue with mine about a year ago. I set up on nice clear summers day only to have rain roll in in the late afternoon and never notice it. Needles to say the optics took a bath. I had water between the lenses. I let it air dry for a couple of day but I would still get condensation building up between the lenses on occasion and I started to get a bit of mold as well.
I fired up the oven to about 100 deg C and left it in the oven for about an hour. Worked a treat, the mold is gone and so has all the moisture and there was no ill effect on the lenses either.

cheers
Sandy