18" Rebuild

[gmbfilter]

I’m finding my NGT-18 too hard to travel with.
Its great around home just wheel it out and I’m observing.
Getting it on the ute is not for the faint hearted.
The NGT has a rotating secondary cage to keep the focuser in a comfortable position, but it’s a bit high to begin with.

I’ve ordered a kit from http://www.dobstuff.com/ and a ServoCAT

Dennis from dobstuff has been great to deal with. He has had some good ideas about the build and some practical suggestions about freight. Gary from StellarCAT has also being great, he sent Dennis some stuff to go with the ground board.

I’ll be installing the ServoCAT. How hard can it be?

I’m going to reuse my mirror, Argo Navis and some other stuff and end up with an ultra light-ish scope with go-to.
One of the things I love about the NGT is tracking, ServoCAT and Argo Navis will take care of that!

Funny how when you pull your telescope apart you get clear sky's

PS The first picture is GTB from Mangrove Mountain Pony Club:rofl:

[bmitchell82]

Sounds like a great little project to get your fingers all twitched up with and i look forward to your finished product. :) though i do have to comment on its pot plant like apperence :) maybe some painted stars down the side might help it a bit?

Brendan

[gmbfilter]

Thanks mate

The pot plant like thing is the old scope :thumbsup:
Actually a planter box for the old scope is not a bad Idea



The NEW ONE'S BEAUTIFUL i hope

Here is a pic of a finished one

[gmbfilter]

The Latest
Since our last date at Pony Club
The Primary Cell was loose I didnt glue it down properly
I hadn't installed the spider correctly. The curved 3 vane Destiny Spider is actually very easy to install. I just kept over thinking it!

ServoCAT, Argonavis and even wifi are all up and running.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Geoff,

Good to hear you finally got it sorted out and everything is working as it should.

I am sure this set up will be a big improvement over the NGT.

Cheers,
John B

[Deeno]

Looks like some impressive upgrades!

Do you have a cover so your bourbon doesn't spill onto the primary when you doze off.......

[gmbfilter]

Thanks John, Deeno its a big change
Deeno the Bourbon has its own holder on my observing chair.
I'm trying to get it ready to take to Lostock

[gary]

Looking good Geoff! :thumbsup: