Cant focus??

[Liz]

Had a clear night here last night ..... put scope out the back a few hours earlier, and when dark I set out to view a few objects with my still very new 10" collapsible dob. Then couldnt bloody focus on anything - tried a couple of eyepieces, checked the main mirror and looked fine?? Bother covers were off.
Tried and tried (not sure if its a Crayford) focus in and out, then turning the little screw on bottom of focuser. Very frustrated,hot and sweaty!! gave up in disgust.
I've been using Dobs for about 12 years, so wouldnt think I was a dummy Dobber
Then, woke about 3 am, so outside to try on the Moon - had Moon in the eyepiece but still couldnt focus at all!!
If the collimation was out, would it cause this problem .... or any other ideas?
Prob something simple I have overlooked
PS .... I did have a quick look through about 4 weeks ago, with no problems - gorg view of Orion Neb.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Colmination would cause a problem, possibly a small jolt happened to cause it to go out, I noticed mine went out, recently and was able to acheive focus it seemed to work but never gave a picture I was happy with.

Although if you have a focus limit ie: comes into focus but stops prior to acheiving focus then this is not collmination but something else.

[Liz]

Thanks Malcolm ... am the worst collimater in history (could never get my head around it) .... I will get someone from our group to help me.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I know nix about collapsibles, but is it possible that it wasn't fully extended??

[Liz]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I know nix about collapsibles, but is it possible that it wasn't fully extended??

Hmmm .... dont know too much about them either ... but that is possible, I will go and check ............. Holy Moses jjjj, no it wasnt fully extended .... about 6" under the tightening screws ... feel like a dill.
Will try again tonight, and let yous know tomorrow ... hopefully problem fixed by Ms Fixit from Kilcoy

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Hi Liz,

Collimation is a cinch, Liz. Don't be deterred by all the faff written about it. It's made much simpler with a Laser-type collimator though.
I could never get up the courage to do it then finally HAD to or buy a new telescope. Took about five minutes including tea-break.

If that doesn't help, I recommend an extension tube in the focuser(Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this one!). About 35mm should do.

Another possibility, if you can't reach focus after collimation and with an extender tube in the focuser, is that he OTA is too short. Mass-market Newts can't all be perfect. I had an 8" Skywatcher dob with the same issue and it turned out the OTA had been assembled incorrectly.
Fortunately SkyWatcher has pretty good customer service, so you don't be shy to give them a call.

Peter

[Waxing_Gibbous (Peter)]

Oh!
Just saw your last post.
Yes. You are a dill!

[Liz]

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

Oh!
Just saw your last post.
Yes. You are a dill!

Yes ... unfortunately so, 'Dill of the Day' for me

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

reckon this one needs to go straight to "the biggest Doh moment" thread.
Cheers Liz.

[richardda1st (Richard)]

Good one Liz.
Ditto JJJ

[erick (Eric)]

Join the club Liz, we've all been there!

Mine was with a borrowed 13mm Ethos. Trying to be extra careful. Fitted it into the 2" focusser - image all cloudy! OMG, what have I done to his $1k eyepiece??!!! Finally found the cap was still on the 1.25" barrel. I wish they'd use dark plastic so they weren't partially transparent.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by erick

Join the club Liz, we've all been there!

Mine was with a borrowed 13mm Ethos. Trying to be extra careful. Fitted it into the 2" focusser - image all cloudy! OMG, what have I done to his $1k eyepiece??!!! Finally found the cap was still on the 1.25" barrel. I wish they'd use dark plastic so they weren't partially transparent.

Alas, clouds have returned here for awhile so cant test it out, but pretty sure jjj was right.
Another day though, so not a dill anymore

[Chillie (Henry)]

Originally Posted by Liz

Hmmm .... dont know too much about them either ... but that is possible, I will go and check ............. Holy Moses jjjj, no it wasnt fully extended .... about 6" under the tightening screws ... feel like a dill.
Will try again tonight, and let yous know tomorrow ... hopefully problem fixed by Ms Fixit from Kilcoy

Liz, you should hear a "click" sound when it is fully extended. Make sure you tighten the clamping screws before it slips down again.

BTW I'm a bit slack. Haven't had my scope out this year yet.