Been doing some major surgery on my C11 with some help from a mate for machining a few things. I added a couple of handles, 3 mirror locking bolts and fitted the back of the mirror with 3 corresponding leveled aluminium plates sealed with steel compound on the glass. Also mounted 2 fans with a 12V DC jack input.
I'm about to flock the tube now. Is there any point flocking the inside of the baffle tube right down to the focuser? Or maybe just spray paint it?
I've noticed it's threaded all the way and picks up light on the edges of the thread.
What do you think? Overdoing it?
Comments/tips most welcome. Thanks.
Nice one Marc.. These are mods I definitely had on the to-do list for my C11.. the fans should make a big difference.. as should the mirror locking bolts... That will definitely sort out any flip flop you may be experiencing..
Flocking the tube is a great idea too, but as far as the baffle tube is concerned, I'd be hesitant to spray paint in case of any overspray ending up on the primary (can you remove the baffle tube from the mirror?)
If the baffle is removable I would definitely give spray paint a go, I figure if you're already there with the scope in bits, might as well go all out, as I dare say you won't want to be pulling that bad boy apart too often!
Tell me, do your fans blow in alternate directions? or do you plan to have the air channel back out through primary baffle
Egadds, major surgery, you are brave, LOL.
If you asked me, and you did, I would spray it first and see. If not then try flocking, but if I was flocking the inside of the baffle tube I would opt for some stick on thin as black stuff, as every millimeter that you sit on the inside "chokes" the inner diameter a little.
Good luck, great project.
Gary
... but as far as the baffle tube is concerned, I'd be hesitant to spray paint in case of any overspray ending up on the primary (can you remove the baffle tube from the mirror?)
Yep... everything is apart Alex. Check the picture. Of course I had to take the primary out to machine the back cell
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexN
...
Tell me, do your fans blow in alternate directions? or do you plan to have the air channel back out through primary baffle
Nope. They both blow air in. They're mounted on 57mm holes, threaded in and have removable filters/grilles. Just clipped in on the back. Air flow's back through the primary baffle.
Egadds, major surgery, you are brave, LOL.
If you asked me, and you did, I would spray it first and see. If not then try flocking, but if I was flocking the inside of the baffle tube I would opt for some stick on thin as black stuff, as every millimeter that you sit on the inside "chokes" the inner diameter a little.
Good luck, great project.
Gary
Thanks mate. Yeah, you're right. Matte paint might do. It's narrow enough as it is. Just wondering if the big boy's RCs are baffled in or painted.
you're come courageous than I am, I hardly breathe on my C14 and C9.25...
I wouldn't trust myself to open them up myself
I admire people with the skill to do what you're doing
you're come courageous than I am, I hardly breathe on my C14 and C9.25...
I wouldn't trust myself to open them up myself
I admire people with the skill to do what you're doing
frank
Hi Frank, if it's all working for you don't even bother opening things. The only reason I did all this is because there were numerous problems with the scope to start with including mechanical alignment. So as I had to go inside it I took the opportunity to do all those changes. I wouldn't do it again that's for sure. Lot of work. Did a star test last night and quickly looked at the moon with a 6mm. Razor sharp. That was a relief . Had also a peek at saturn which was pretty low at 12:00am then to Eta where I could spot the homunculus. A CCD test will tell me if it was worth it. Next time I'll open it will be flocking then that's it for me
I've just "aquired" a 10" LX200 f6.3. The previous owner has used what looks like one of those thin black plastic dew shields as a flocked interior cover.
It just sits, tightly, inside the tube and provides a perfect dull, non reflective surface. Looks like a neat and easy job to do; no major surgery or glue on the inside of the tube....
I already have a 10" LX200 f10 OTA without the flocking and the difference is truly amazing!! A noticable improvement in contrast!
I'd have to say, I'd recomment it to any SCT owners.
Yes, not to many of those around! The x0.63 reducer can now be used to get it to f4!!!!!!!!
Downside, is that the secondary is a bit larger in diameter than the one on the f10... but for spectroscope....who really cares! I just need light!
Just wondering if the big boy's RCs are baffled in or painted.
What did you do? Squeeze the corrector plate? 
. Had also a peek at saturn which was pretty low at 12:00am then to Eta where I could spot the homunculus. A CCD test will tell me if it was worth it. Next time I'll open it will be flocking then that's it for me 
