Joined the Lightbridge Club

[astronut (John)]

Congratulations on the impending arrival Graham You won't be sorry!!!
I'm here to if you need it.
Martin, the order of buisiness is 1. remove the two screws holding the socket for the fan power supply. 2. remove 6 screws holding primary mirror in the tube(don't worry, nothing will fall off and break. trust me I'm an astronomer )
3. gently lift off the tube, this will reveal the mirror sitting on its cell and end ring. 4. remove, one at a time the collimation bolts steading the mirror as it is sitting on the springs. 5. finally, remove the mirror off the springs to reveal the lower ring.
You will find that the mirror is still attached to its cell, leave this alone!!
Find somewhere safe for your mirror, springs and screws to live, until they are all reunited
That's it!! Just reverse the procedure for reinstalling.
The best advice I can give is "take your time"
Once you've done it, you'll wonder what the fuss was about. I still use the socket for the fan, instead of going to the battery pack, it goes to the control box, then the battery.

[astrocoast]

Thanks John - really appreciate your time and help.

the steps make it much easier, so will give it a go. Now it's just timing, since no doubt I'll be without a scope while this gets done - so I'll choose a quite period

Again, thanks for all your help - it is a great scope and really happy with the purchase.

cheers
Martin

[Lert]

Hey Astronut, John, Your avatar seems to show a lenthened hood on your LB.. would you care to elaborate on that..

BTW I used to live at Campbelltown about 30 years ago.. how are things going over that way these days..

Cheers

[astronut (John)]

Graham,
The shield is made of H.I.P.S. High Impact Polystyrene Sheet.
It's light, flexible and very strong. You can use other materials, I've just found this works best for me.
I've lived in Campbelltown for 20 years. It's a great city, regardless what the politicans would like to do to it.
As with other cities, the night sky has deterioted. Our club meets at The Oaks to get a good dark sky, and at Berrima.
I've downloaded a few images to show how I've mounted the shield.
Since installation I haven't had one dew interupted night, it works very well.

[Lert]

Thanks for that shroud info John, I hadnt considered the dew issue, I was more thinking about keeping stray light away.

Ok on Campbelltown. I lived up the top of Broughton st.. and liked the place a lot. The trip to the great city was the killer. I will remember the Southern Highlands express for the rest of my days.

Graham

[astronut (John)]

Graham,
Speaking of shrouds ( the one on the end is a shield )
I would suggest that you buy a shroud for your LB. I bought mine from www.astrozap.com it was about $100Aud, or if your handy with a sewing machine make your own.

[bkm2304 (Richard Brown)]

Hi, Has anyone on the forum received the 16" Lightbridges from Meade in yet and if so how do they shape up?