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Originally Posted by gbeal
I'm off in a different direction.
If nothing is loose, and little has changed (which doesn't sound correct from your post) then I would use it as is, but with an extension tube. I use them all the time, as the infocus for imaging is just not there normally.
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Gary Beal,
I collimated and star tested Irish's scope at the June Kulnurra star party. I had plenty of travel either side of focus, after fighting the focusing knobs. I think the eyepiece I had in was Louie's Tak LE. The scope has an outstanding mirror for a mass produced mirror. Since that time Irish has removed the mirror to center spot it and then re collimated the scope himself.
One of several things has happened since I tested and collimated the scope:-
The scope had the worst focuser I have ever used on any telescope, I could hardly turn the focusing knobs but when I finally fought it to where I wanted it there was plenty of in/out travel. The focuser was not right, something was definately broken or very badly adjusted/aligned with it. I told Irish he needed to pull it apart and clean it and check it all out in the daytime as I wasn't going to do it in the middle of a paddock in the dark. The problem with the focuser could well be a damaged or burred tooth on the rack or the pinion and through use this has caused further damage which is now restricting the amount of travel in the focuser itself. I think this is the most likely cause of the problem. If thats the case, it may be able to be fixed or the focuser may need replacing under warranty.
The 2nd possibilty which a couple of others have suggested is that through repeated collimation adjustment the mirror has crept up the tube and now restricted the outtravel. That's easily fixed by re-collimating the scope with the primary lower in the tube, or higher, whatever is needed to compensate for the focuser travel problem.
Gaz (Irish),
If you want me to look at your scope prior to the next Kulnurra observing night (6/8/05) I would be happy for you to come to my house early to mid Saturday afternoon. I can do this in my workshop where I can see and have the necessary tools. I can pull your focuser apart and fix/adjust it as necessary. I can't do this at the observing site in the dark.
I live about 25 to 30 minutes east of Kulnurra so its not too much of a detour from Sydney.
CS-John B