Looking after a Dob and Argo Navis question

[chrissara]

Hi all - I just purchased a 12" Southern Cross Dob and was wondering what is (or are) the best (or better) way(s) to look after it.

For example, I received good advice from my local astronomy club member that when the Dob isn't in use to take it off the mount and lie it carefully down on the floor (something to do with the mirrors).

What I was wondering is what one can get away with and what you cannot - for example can I leave the Dob on the mount, or is this a no-no?

I recognise that my question is fairly open, but I suppose I am getting a tad weary of lugging the Dob out from my bedroom where it lies on the carpeted floor to the front of the house and placing it on the mount, observing for a couple of hours, then lifting it up, struggling to the bedroom again (via two doors!!). Can you leave it on the Dob permanently or does this affect the springs, mirrir etc?

I am reluctant to leave it outside in case (a) it gets nicked and (b) weather, dust etc gets into the scope.


Finally I am looking at getting an Argo Navis - does this require the Dob to remain on the mount permanently, or can you easily lift the Dob off the mount still?

[astro_nutt]

Hi chrissara,
Yes it is ok to leave the tube indoors on the mount in a horizontal position so as to minimize dust settling on the primary mirror..but it would not be good to leave it outside unless you have a shed with a rool-off roof so it can be secured and locked!!..
What I can suggest is make an insert for the tube from the original packing boxes...glue a sheet of 4-ply on bottom of the inside and then glue the styrene moulding on top of the ply (liquid nails works best)...you can place the tube in this and secure it in place wiith a couple of ocky straps onto a handtrolley (with pneumatic tyres)...which would make it much easier to move around!..
Also, it's a good idea to smear a film of silicone on the bare particleboard edges, holes, etc..this will prevent any swelling from absorbing moisture.
Spray some Mr Sheen onto a cloth and give the outside of the tube and the base a wipe and shine every so often.
Hope the info helps!

[gary]

Originally Posted by chrissara

Finally I am looking at getting an Argo Navis - does this require the Dob to remain on the mount permanently, or can you easily lift the Dob off the mount still?

Hi,

The system is designed to make the scope easy to transport.

The Az encoder is kept in place and the Alt encoder and its associated
tangent arm bracket is designed to be quickly and easily removed so that the
OTA can be removed.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[netwolf]

chrissara, i can vouch for that Gary was kind enoug to help me get the right mounting kit for my GS10 Dob. Its dead simple to undo the altitude so you can remove the OTA.

Link to the Mounting Kit for 12" GSO Dob
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com...._describe.html
Take a look at the linked PDF files under Installation. And you can see the mounting. Its a swing free design..

Regards
Netwolf

[gbeal]

Can't praise the Argo enough, nor it's after sales service.
The Argo unit can be easily, and quickly, removed from it's mounting cradle, and all that is required is to unplug the encoder plug, and power cable (assuming you power it from a portable battery rather than use the in-built batteries). I leave the encoders, and cables on the dob base full-time, and also have a set on the GEM. I use the same Argo unit with both systems. OK, a separate unit for each would be better, but the system is so simple to change across.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I have an old Orion/Kendrick encoder mount kit on my GSO dob.

The altitude bracket is held to the dob base with a magnetic strip and the encoder in place with a thumbscrew which allows for easy no-tools dissassembly. I beleive the other kit has the alt bracket screwed to the mount making it a bit more hassle to remove the ota from the base.

[cjmarsh81]

I store my 10" dob in the upright position as I don't have the room to store it horizontally. If you keep the caps on I don't find it collects too much dust on the primary. If it does I have one of those hand blower things that I can take the primary out and blow it off.

[JimmyH155]

Is it possible to mount the encoders on a Lightbridge deluxe? The Az instructions for the GSO dob seem to indicate replacement of the central bolt that holds the roller bearings.

[JimmyH155]

In answer to my question above. HEY ALL YOUSES Lightbridge 12" freaks.
Arvo Navis are bringing out a kit in July for us. Start saving