Help!!!!

[OzStarGazer]

Ah, the first night with stars I took out my dob and the secondary is extremely loose.... The problem is it STAYS loose no matter what I do. It is almost like a pendulum!!!
I don't know what to do!!!! I have tried everything!!!
Thanks for any tip!!
:sadeyes:

[OzStarGazer]

I'll go to Bunnings tomorrow. I think the jam nut is sort of screwed up (no pun intended), although the threaded part of the holder is a bit smooth too, so I don't know... Maybe I need a new one and I hope SW will give me a new one under warranty... But it probably won't happen before Christmas... :(

[glend]

Isn't there a spring on the main vertical lock bolt - most have one and it prevents wobble and provides resistance for the adjuster screws?

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks for the reply, Glend. It looks like this:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p7158_Skywatcher-Replacement-Part---Secondary-Mirror-with-holder-for-Heritage-130.html

And the nut wobbles. The threaded part of the holder is a bit worn out, so no wonder... Bunnings said it is a cheap metal because threaded parts should last much longer. They said it should certainly be covered by the warranty, so I am going to contact them... But I don't know how long it will take. Any experience with SW warranties?
It has ALWAYS been loose, so maybe I should have contacted them at the very beginning, but now it got much worse.

[barx1963]

Oz
Just a hint, when asking for help it often helps to specify the type of scope you are talking about as they often have different structures.

With the secondary, where exactly is it loose? Is it the mirror itself, the mirror holder or the stem that connects the holder to the tube that is the issue?

Cheers

Malcolm

[mental4astro]

Oz, I am guessing that the secondary mirror of you Heritage scope isn't quite centered either in the focuser too? Such modest little scopes can be poorly put together just to save a few bucks. Some even skimp on screws, using a shorter one instead of the correct length if it means cents being saved, and to hell with the customer.

I would suggest you try to remove the secondary mirror, that is, remove it by removing the stalk from the tube, and have a closer look at the mechanism that holds the secondary assembly together. It will give you a better understanding of what could be going on. The solution could be a very simple one. If not, then you will be able to give us better info and take a couple of pictures. Sorry to say, but we are working rather blind here to give you the right information. I can't even verify if what you were told at Bunnings is correct as the problem isn't pinned down properly. Pretty much what Malcom has also said.

Alex.

[OzStarGazer]

Hi, Malcolm. It's the SkyWatcher Heritage 130p, and the secondary mirror looks exactly like in the link I provided in a previous post.
It is the arm that is loose. It has never been firm, but now it just won't stay in place. Bunnings said to contact the manufacturer, which I have already done.
It should be covered by the warranty (also according to Bunnings), so fingers crossed.
I am trying to be optimistic because I am not very happy as it is these days.

[OzStarGazer]

Hi Alex,

I think the problem is the threaded part of the arm which is a bit smooth, so obviously the nut won't hold very well. It looks like worn out, but I actually always had that problem. It just got much worse.
Thanks everyone!

[Monstar]

Mmmhh, mine did come loose months ago and it's a bugger trying to do the nut up with its position. Since yours has been loose for some time I take it that you've been continually fastening it and with it being soft metal you've stripped the thread. I'm thinking this as I thought about that when tightening mine.

Maybe it's just the nut that is buggered?

Anyway try this. Keep the mirror pointing at 90 degrees to its true position and hold it there. Tighten the nut up as tight as you can with your fingers, then hold the nut in position with some pliers and screw/tighten the mirror and stalk. It might take a couple of tries to get the starting position so the mirror ends up central.

If the thread is stripped or too far gone you really have no alternative but to replace but you could try out the above when you get a new one.

[OzStarGazer]

Thanks, Johnny. I am afraid it is too far gone. :(
A search on the net reveals that many people had this problem from the very beginning and got a replacement. Maybe I should really have told them back then. Hopefully they won't blame me now.. I have been unhappy with it from the very beginning.
Luckily it is not terribly expensive. It costs just over $40 in Germany, and the SW itself is more expensive than here in Germany, so logically the replacement shouldn't be more expensive than in Germany.
Anyway, Bunnings basically said it is very cheap metal (they didn't say "rubbish", but I think that's what they meant - they looked at it in disgust!)
Unfortunately I have to wait for their reply now... And there is not even an indication of how long it will take. I wasn't even given a case number. After submitting my request I did get a message that it went through, but no reference number or how long it will take. Nothing.
I'll try what you said when I have the new one. :)

[OzStarGazer]

Does anybody know who sells SW replacement parts in Australia? I just wanted to have an idea of prices in Ozland (also for the future), although I should get this replacement for free. :thanx:

[cometcatcher]

How does one collimate a scope like that? Or is that a silly question? :)

[OzStarGazer]

Oh, I just bought a laser collimator. First I adjusted the secondary mirror until the red dot was in the centre of the primary mirror (this never happened 100% anyway because the secondary mirror has always been a bit loose); then I adjusted the primary mirror (the red dot must be in the centre of the collimator itself - I hope you know what I mean! I am very tired today as I have been thinking about this all night....) It has always driven me crazy exactly because of that stupid secondary mirror which has always been a bit wobbly... Maybe it is a blessing in disguise if I now get a good one, although as many people complain I wonder if the arms of their secondary mirrors are just "cheap".

[cometcatcher]

I bought a laser collimator recently too. The laser needed collimation! The cheshire eyepiece on the other hand worked like a charm.

[OzStarGazer]

Mine was fine. I remember that I checked it following instructions I had found online. I am not sure now though. When my new baby (the new secondary) arrives I will check it again.