Part II.
After I arose on Saturday, I cruised the web looking for a really good pic of the tension system and found one. On Sunday I was going to put the OTA on the base and hook it up. I was still concerned about having 3 spacers and 4 screws. Then I found the missing 4th spacer, attached to the OTA. I was going to set it up Sunday arvo, but it was windy and hot and I didn't feel comfortable in those conditions. I did work out that according to the pic, my suspicion on Friday was right. The large-round-knobbed screws go on the OTA, with the spacer thin-end next to the OTA. The ordinary black screws go on the base, spacers fat-end to the screw (thin at the base). This allows the springs to fit snugly between the base or OTA and the screw, going on the spacer.
After I got home from work, washed, ate and relaxed, I went outside to work on the scope at 2am. It was cooler and there was almost no wind. I felt comfortable working with an OTA at rest on the curve of the base. When I did this initially, I screwed the screws in and then worked out that to put the springs on you thread it on the screw / spacer of the OTA and then screw in as far as it goes. I also discovered that there was indeed a small space, as there had to be, that allows the rope loop to go on, and that indeed the spring did extend. I had had some concern that it would be difficult to get the rope on the screw, but when I applied downward pressure, the spring moved without too much resistance. I was able to put the rope on the screw / spacer of the base. One side did twist a little, which I attribute to putting the spring possibly facing the wrong way, but I don't see it having any affect.
With this out the way, I gingerly pushed the scope back and forth to see how easy it moved and how it stayed at rest. Then I looked at the finderscope. Now, the standard finder is a straight-thru model, but I ordered the RA one for an extra 20 dollars. As a result, there was already a dovetail? (base or bracket) attached with two screws. And there was also on on the finderscope which had been boxed separately. I put the two brackets together and they were identical, so I am assuming that I had a spare. The instructions referred to installing the bracket with two screws and I took that to have been done, so I unscrewed a small thumbscrew on each bracket, removed the one from the finderscope and slid it UP the bracket on the OTA. I had expected to slide down, with gravity, but it only moves up, and then you tighten the thumbscrew to secure it in place. I consider it leaves the tiny but possible chance of it falling, gravity and all, but that is the manufacture.
Having secure the finderscope, I took out the cover of the eyepiece focuser? and saw a big hole, where you put the eyepiece in fully. At least that is what I did. I took out the 9mm GSO Plossl and put in fully into the hole, which I take to be a 1.25in focuser. There is one screw on this part, which is the set screw I believe - ie. you loosen it, put your eyepiece in, then screw it a little to secure the eyepiece. There is another ring, with 2 screws. I believe this is the actual focuser, a 2in girth. I did not play with this. Then I looked through the eyepiece. I hadn't dilated, the scope probably needs collimation, and there were clouds (at least I couldn't see any stars naked-eye where usually I see something. I could tell that there was a change - I could see the starless sky, which is a start. If only I could have started with the skies I'd been having earlier in the week while waiting for the scope
Any how, the scope is pretty much assembled now, so I can start looking through it. I just need to begin the black art of collimation
, and work out how to attach the Telrad (which most people seem to put between the finder and focuser) so that it can be moved to best position for me, and then put the batteryholder somewhere. Or at least that's the feeling I got when I looked at the dew shield, a batter holder, and the telrad itself, packet separately. Then it's AN, shower cap and knobs and odds time.
All in all, after a shaky start, it's worked out ok. For the newbies, it's not that difficult, though there may be stumbling blocks, it's all a learning experience.
One question I do have for the veterans, and that is, about the fans. I haven't looked at the underside of the OTA, where the mirrors are, but I did not notice a fan or pieces to power it (unless, as I have just realized, the battery holder I thought was for the telrad may be for the fan). How did it come for you? It was my understanding that provision of a fan and Crayford 2in focuser were longstanding elements of the Premium packages.
Also, I just remembered. I was feeling the tube and I noticed some indentations in the middle of the scope toward the eyepiece side. Not very sharp, but still about 1-2mm in and 5 wide. It seems a little thin. Also, on the other side it seems to not be perfectly round but slightly teardrop ie. sharper. Should I be at all concerned about this. It may be normal wear and tear from transport and lying down in the box, as I wasn't sure which side was the top (and if I put it upside down the mirror would / could fall out), and also thought wind might knock it until it was attached to the base. Thanks.
So Good Night and good luck to all
Phil