meade 12" ACF collimation with OCAL

[h0ughy]

i need to get some information if i could from the brains trust of IIS. i recently bought a collimation device from http://www.ocalworld.com/en/ and i set it up. the learning curve was unique however i couldn't work out how i align the secondary. i would be most happy if a knowledgeable person could very simply explain how you do adjust a Meade secondary? i know celestron scopes are different ?

[toc]

Adjusting the secondary is the same as Celestron - you have three screws that you tighten, depending on the direction you need the secondary to move.

In the photo I can see that 'Bobs Knobs' have been used. If you just look up a guide on SCT collimation you should find everything you need to know - its the same for Meade or Celestron.

[h0ughy]

Thanks for the comments but apart from the obvious that wasn't what I was asking, I wish to know how you adjust the secondary in its position to line up optically

[gb44]

David,
I know that at the factory they rotate the corrector plate and shim it. They do it live using that test star.
Maybe the plate has been out and not replaced correctly?

You could use this principle to rotate the plate with liveview.
Shiming, not so easy.
Mark the plates position first of course.

I'm not aware that the secondary could be physically shifted in its housing hole. Anyone removed it?
The guy thats selling the Meade 14inch with Fastar adaptor should be able to answer.

Is there no reduction of error response to the collimating screws?

Odd to try a collimator made for newtonians. There is another type made for RC scopes.
Did you try AlsCollimation Aid?

GlennB

[h0ughy]

Als collimator is gold and yes i have . look on the website again and you will find the use with a sct

[toc]

Yikes, sorry for that :rofl:

My non answer is that you will probably need to remove the corrector plate and see how the housing is attached - if its held on with a retaining ring there might be some thing you can play with (unscrew, reposition and tighten - but I doubt it.

[h0ughy]

yeah was thinking about that but seems fraught with impending doom;)

[toc]

So looking at the images I can see a slight decentering - is that enough to cause a noticeable problem with collimation?

[h0ughy]

That's what I am thinking

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

Just along the lines of measure three times and cut once. Are the tube and laser etc bits all be double checked for alignment on all the axis's. You could be a little low and at angle on one axis with the laser for example.

The images are too low rez to check, but do not align equally in the 3,4/6 photo against the inner purple ring and the cross hairs.


Steve

[gb44]

Lasers... Yes they need to be checked for collimation too. One cant simply rely on the manufacturer. Maybe Howie Glatter ones are ok.

Looking at the OCAL website and the SCT coll video this system isnt a laser but rather its more a virtual set of circles like AlsCollimationCircles but with crosshairs thrown in.

It looks like the secondary in the video is rather loose at the start, so maybe you should loosen your secondary as per a restart.

GlennB

[h0ughy]

In the back of my mind is how much to loosen, and how much wiggle room is there. Always interested in real life experience

[gb44]

Did you see the adverts for the Meade14in I refered to?
The ads are gone now but the seller would have the info you seek.
He'd made the Farstar adapter too so tolerances he will know.

GlennB

[h0ughy]

yes:thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Hmm, I just followed the http link Dave, and it took me to the OCAL Website but when I selected the Purchase option is opened up an Amazon US window which said they do not ship to Australia?

How did you get around this?

It also looks like they have a Pro Model available as well.:shrug:

The video tutorials are a little weird with what appears to be bird sounds in the BG.:confused2:

Thanks

Dennis

[h0ughy]

I bought it through Alibaba

[Dennis]

Thanks David, should I be nervous because of the historical context of his involvement with the 40 Thieves.;)

Cheers

Dennis

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

Alibaba is more like an online umbrella site, while they do vet the vendors you can still get some duds.

Just make sure the shop you are buying from offers returns, customer resolutions, check the reviews etc.


Steve

[Dennis]

Thanks Steve, I might just visit The Dog House and utter the magic words "Open Sesame" and then plunder Houghy's treasures.:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

I heard that :rofl:

[h0ughy]

Have sent you the link Dennis

[mura_gadi]

You'll never make it past the boarder, they'll have road blocks setup!

[h0ughy]

Take enough clothes for 14 days

[RB]

Dennis has the ability to convince them - "This is not the Droid19 you're looking for..."

:lol:

[Dennis]

My passport to anywhere in the Universe, is simply my introduction "I am the Emissary of The Hough".

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

:rofl:

[Dennis]

Also noticed the OCAL Electronic Collimator PRO on the Artesky Italy website at:

https://www.telescopi-artesky.it/en/ocal/telescope-collimation/5414-ocal-electronic-collimator-pro-8055517139318.html

Price = Euro 237.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

It looks like Sidereal Trading is now a local distributor, although at the time of writing this, they are not yet in stock.

https://www.siderealtrading.com.au/p...r-pro-version/

It looks like Sidereal Trading will be supplying the PRO version of the OCAL Electronic Collimator.

Just to keep up with the H0ugh, I have now put my order in.:)

Cheers

Dennis

[Sitt]

I'm wondering how good these are at collamating an SCT, would love to hear some feedback from those who have

[h0ughy]

Well I have tried it but can't mount the scope yet due to covid, my main mount for the observatory is in lock down in Sydney and the temporary setup i have is g clamped. So I can't swing the weight around. Soon, very soon this year.......