Solar filter

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

This is my version of a solar filter for the Orion 80mm scope.
I wanted to make something a little more robust than making the filter holder out of paper and cardboard so I went to the local plumbing supplies and bought a 90mm storm water cap and threaded tube (cost $6.80). The tube fits inside the dewshield on the scope, but the dewshield is about 3mm bigger than the stormwater tube, but no problems.

Step 1 find a piece of cardboard about 1-2 mm thick and mark out 2 discs OD 97mm and ID 80mm. Cut out. Make sure the rings fit inside the storm water cap then remove.

Step 2 Drill the Storm water end cap with a series of holes. I just put the storm water tube and cap together and used the tube as a guide to drill the holes. Knock out and use a file to smooth the edges.

Step 3 Use a piece or emery cloth and roughen up the inside of the storm water tube and paint matt black. I used Pot Belly Stove paint as this was what I had lying around.

Step 4 Using the instructions that came with the AstroSolar Film use the 2 cardboard discs to make the filter element. The instructions call for double sided tape to mount the film to the discs but I used a little silastic carefully applied to the rings instead. Works OK.

Step 5 While you are waiting for the silastic and paint to dry go have a beer.

Step 6 Carefully place the filter element in the end of the Storm Water cap and screw in the tube. But not overly tight.

Step 7 Raid your wife/girlfriend/mums sewing basket and find a piece of felt and cut 4 strips about 10mm wide and approx 50mm long and glue to the filter casing (the part that goes inside the dewshield) at 90 degree intervals.

Step 8 When glue is dry push into the scope dewshield. Viola a quick solar filter.

The felt on the storm water tube makes the completed solar filter firm in the dewshield and will not dislodge easily I have held the scope with the filter downwards and it had shown no signs of falling off.

Here are the first 8 pictures the last 2 are in the next post.


Adrian

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

The last 2 picures.
The sizes can be adjusted to suit what you need but will be limited by the availability of the parts required.
The filter film isnt as tight as it looks in the picture.
Total cost of the filter including the filter film approx $10


Adrian

[Dennis]

Hi Adrian

A very neat job.

Here is one that I made earlier using a couple of PVC pipe fittings that fortunately, didn’t require any drilling as they fitted my 80mm WO OTA nicely.

Cheers

Dennis

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Adrian

A very neat job.

Here is one that I made earlier using a couple of PVC pipe fittings that fortunately, didn’t require any drilling as they fitted my 80mm WO OTA nicely.

Cheers

Dennis

I did a search for Solar Filters and I didnt find your thread. Yours looks simpler than mine. I didnt find any of the flange fittings in our local plumbing supplies but I am going to Toowoomba this weekend so I will try Bunnings.
The girls at the local shop thought I was strange walking around the shelves with the scope under my arm trying every fitting I could find.
I also like the one for the C9.24.
I start a machining course at TAFE tonight (the teacher becoming a student ) so was considering making a filter element holder with the lathe as my project for the ED127. I will see how I go.

Adrian

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by AdrianF

The girls at the local shop thought I was strange walking around the shelves with the scope under my arm trying every fitting I could find.
Adrian

Hi Adrian

Yes, we astronomers do attract strange looks some times, although a few people have shown a real interest and fascination when I explain what I am trying to do when looking for DIY bits and pieces!

I also find that various stores have different stock items and when there is a rush on e.g. water tank fittings during the water tank rebate period in SE Qld, the shelves can empty quite quickly of certain items.

Good luck with the TAFE course.

Cheers

Dennis

[Bloodbean (Troy)]

Hey Adrian,

Very useful post thanks. I'm just about to undertake a very similar project for my 20x80 binos and was thinking storm water drain end caps. I take it you've had a look through and all is well? I've read some conflicting reports on how tight the film should be. From what I gather the idea is to not have it super tight but somewhat tight?

Troy

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Originally Posted by Bloodbean

Hey Adrian,

Very useful post thanks. I'm just about to undertake a very similar project for my 20x80 binos and was thinking storm water drain end caps. I take it you've had a look through and all is well? I've read some conflicting reports on how tight the film should be. From what I gather the idea is to not have it super tight but somewhat tight?

Troy

No leave it loose (not stretched) apparently the film tightens(?) during use, not sure about this tho. Read the instructions at http://www.baader-planetarium.com/so...nleitung_e.htm

Yes I have looked through the scope with the filter on and it works well. Although I have only managed handheld with a 25mm eyepiece and not very stable.

Adrian

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Adrian

Yes, we astronomers do attract strange looks some times, although a few people have shown a real interest and fascination when I explain what I am trying to do when looking for DIY bits and pieces!

I also find that various stores have different stock items and when there is a rush on e.g. water tank fittings during the water tank rebate period in SE Qld, the shelves can empty quite quickly of certain items.

Good luck with the TAFE course.

Cheers

Dennis

Oh good, I'm not alone . I've had those funny looks too when searching through the pvc pipe fittings for "something that will do the job"
"Can I help you, what are you looking for". "Dunno, but I'll know it when I see it "
Bill