Meade 102 FPL-53 hybrid

[COSMOPARADISE]

During collimation the middle lens chipped and now keeps flaking little pieces of glass in the sandwich between the middle and front lens. :(
:sadeyes: If anyone knows where I could get another lens please help.

[wasyoungonce]

Oh Dear. Was a radial grub screw tightened too much?

The only thing I can think of to try is to take the lens/(lenses) cell apart noting which lens goes where and marking orientation etc, clean out the remnants, blacken the chipped area with a black marker pen and put it back together. You will probably have to rotate the chipped lens a little so it is not sitting under the grubscrew where damaged.

This lens rotation may effect the optical resolution a little but the lens is chipped so this cannot hurt any more than current. Of course you have to re-align the optics which is not trivial in a triplet lens.

Other than that...this is the same scope as a Northgroup 102 triplet maybe you can purchase a replacement lens cell from them. Bear in mind the major cost of a scope is the glass so it may cost somewhat....no harm in trying.

You could try Meade...but...I don't like your chances. You will not be able to obtain the "middle" element by itself.

Good luck

Brendan

[allan gould]

Brendan is right, your best bet is to contact Northgroup directly. I'm afraid you have an almost impossible task to get the triplette back in optical order if you have taken it apart without marking all the elements. If you have marked them, make sure you know which surface goes to the front as well then you may be able to clean and rebuild it but it looks like you are up for a new lens.
Sorry

[COSMOPARADISE]

Thanks for the tips.
Meade seem to be completely useless in their response.
Ive been in contact with Northgroup and Explore Scientific regarding a new cell and they will get back to me.
I will keep it posted on the progress.
In the mean time saving up for an FSQ-106 seems like an eternity.

[wasyoungonce]

No problem...keep us update.

Some of the glasses used are are more like crystal...not withstanding that Fluorite glass is a crystal. Thus very susceptiable to fracture/shear.

:eyepop:

[COSMOPARADISE]

I have just purchased from TELSKOP SERVICE in Germany a 102mm triplet objective cell with FPL-53.
Whether this slots right in or will need an adaptor will be interesting when its delivered.
This could end up being the worlds first SUPERCHARGED MEADE 102 APO.:jump:

[blink138]

hope it is the same focal lenth!
pat

[COSMOPARADISE]

102mm F/7 FPL-53
;)

[ZeroID]

If you don't mind me asking what price was it from Germany ? Cost + Post etc. Just might be a nice way to build something.

[COSMOPARADISE]

sure brent,
it was A$990 delivered.
:screwy:

[Poita]

http://www.apm-telescopes.de/optical-sets_lenses-in-cell_proauswahl_115_1_5.html

Although if you weren't such a wuss, you would have hit 'add to cart' on this one.
http://www.apm-telescopes.net/en/product.html?info=974&x510ab=e06b1096d5e8cd997dbda5aa7092 f24a

[COSMOPARADISE]

nice find,
this is the lens cell I got.
http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5173_TS-102mm-F-5-2-Triplet-Flatfield-Super-APO-with-perfect-field-co.html

without the reducer.

[ZeroID]

:eyepop: Well that takes THAT off the 'cheap build' list.

Thanks

[COSMOPARADISE]

haha yeah not a change in your pocket build up.
I think it will give the meade the kick it really deserves along with a moonlite on the other end im quite excited, if all the bits play nice and fit snugly oh yeah.

[COSMOPARADISE]

WOW, its here, that was quick, 4 days from Germany. :party:
Well packed geez like its uranium, now what to do with it.
Literally wrapped up in cotton wool the first layer and huge bubble wrap layers 2 and 3.
Pics to come.

[Poita]

Don't drop it!

[brian nordstrom]

:D Good news ... photos for sure :thumbsup:.
Brian.

[FlashDrive]

Yeah Nick ...!!! Like the man said .... Photo's please. :lol:

[COSMOPARADISE]

my laptop is getting a new hard drive so as soon as she comes back i'll post them.

[COSMOPARADISE]

Sorry guys, computer man installed a new 500gb Hybrid SSD hard drive on the lappy over the weekend and its back in action now.

The new cell seems to be about 1mm larger diameter than the tube.
So a bit of engineering is to be had to mate the cell thread to the tube thread in a secure way. The tube is now at a CNC workshop in Southport.
So here are a few pics of the cell and tube before going to the shop today where it will be for about three days.
:prey:

[brian nordstrom]

:hi: Yes , looking good alright . Very nice .
:question: Dont know about it sitting there , posing for the photos unsupported tho ....
Hope it all works out , and I reacon I aint the only one waiting to hear how it performs? :thumbsup: .
Brian.

[FlashDrive]

Nick ... Looks good alright .... hope it all comes together for you ...:prey:
Flash :2thumbs:

[COSMOPARADISE]

Just an update, the adaptor ring has arrived from shop, RK ENGINEERING, and im very happy with the work Herman has done.
The ring twists beautifully and securely to the tube, and then the objective cell twists on to the ring very nicely.
A quick check up with my Hubble Optics Artificial Star shows a very nice and round airey disk and at high magnification shows just the slightest amount of flase colouring, i think, that is its not a bright white spot but slightly red green blue, however when slightly defocussed the concentric rings look quite even. So just to make sure and bring "FRANKENSCOPE" to life im sending it for collimation and test.

Not long to go now.

[FlashDrive]

Ahhhh !!! a real love affair coming together here ..!!
All ' she ' needs now is ' Mr MoonLite ' to show her off .

Flash :hi:

[brian nordstrom]

:D Nice , I do a little machining my self and to see a top job done ,and for a frankenscope makes my heart sing ( I machined an adapater for my Zeiss ) .
OH , dont worry about the tiny , little bit of colour , I guarentee it will disapare after 1/2 an hours viewing , moon light , yes :question: , What about a FT , well if you want to go all the way ??? , looks like that objective deserves it , its invisable in the photos ? :thumbsup:,
From a disaster comes a prize .
Thanks for the update .
Brian.

[COSMOPARADISE]

Yeah nice job done with the ring. I really thought it was a lost cause at one point when there was no reply from MEADE.
I already have a moonie with motor, if you look at the pics half way down the page its the orange thing at the end of the white tube.
Ive also ordered a roll of flocking felt from U.S. and am thinking of going CF tube while Im at it.

[COSMOPARADISE]

ETA CARINA NEBULA last night from Surfers trying out a new scope and camera combination and HUTECH IDAS Light Pollution filter. TS102 FPL-53 f/5.25, WO P-FLAT4@86, ORION PARSEC 8300M, HEQ5PRO 300s x 5 all in MaximDL

[Poita]

Must be lovely to be imaging after all that drama!

[COSMOPARADISE]

Hey Peter,

Yep its a great relief to be finally using it. Its turned out better than I thought.

The WO P-FLAT IV is working best just need to fine tune the distances.

Ive also just received the adaptors to mate the ATIK EFW to the PARSEC and WO FLATTY, next clear night the 2" DONS are coming out.

Heres another quick test run on the Horsey 5x300s.
:cheers: Heres to everyone involved and those that followed the journey.