Merlin66

Hmmmm Not the same mount, but I use the NEQ6Pro.. For the past ten years I've successfully powered it from a couple of Gel Cell batteries and a car voltage converter 12v to 15v at 120watt. No issue no drama it just works 100% I would NOT recommend increasing the voltage beyond the Skywatchers recommended 15v.

The Canon 1300D appears to have 4.3 micron pixels http://www.everyothershot.com/pixel-pitch-canon-dslrs/

I notice that Synscan V4 has the option of camera control (See Sect 11.4 of the manual). If your mount ( a newer AltAz or EQ8 version) has the SNAP port the camera cable can be routed from the SNAP port and controlled by the hand controller. Using an older mount (HEQ5 or NEQ6 etc) the camera can be wired to the hand controller and used that way...... Has anyone used this feature?? If so which actual cable and connections were used.

Introduced last year the SolarMax III was supposed to be "the latest and greatest" I haven't heard much, well nothing really about this series. Does anyone have any practical experience with the SolarMax III

Anthony, the black blocks which have the front clips at the mirror surface, usually also gently touch the side of the mirror to prevent it sliding within the cell. I don’t know your particular telescope, but I hope another user can comment.

Sounds like the radial (edge) supports are not restraining the mirror. Are there any adjustable stops around the edge of the mirror cell??

Anthony, No. The clips are there to stop an unfortunate accident happening. They prevent the mirror from falling out. The mirror should be resting on the rear supports and gently held by the edge supports - only. (Don't turn the telescope up side down!)

Fitting the SW motor - in the video he doesn't show how difficult it can be at times to re-fit those four small O rings on the housing mounting screws!!! Patience......

Kev, Have you considered installing a focuser motor? These can usually be controlled remotely from the PC - I have a JMI motor on my C11 and use the laptop back in the office to control the focus........

I’m impressed with the versatility of the simple SW motor. I’ve used it on the C9.25 and C11 as well as all my ED80 and TS102 as well as the spectroheliograph. I use MXL 6mm toothed belts and 30 tooth pinions. works 100% for me.

Which mount? What happens when you use the planetarium program with EQMod to move and sync objects?

[name?], Not the NEQ-R version, but the older NEQ6pro... I have around 17-18Kg telescope loading on mine - C11, spectrograph, five camera etc. with five (!!!?) counterweights. Been using the configuration for almost eight years - no issues no drama.

Caused by the “sweet spot” in the etalon tuning. Get the best balance you can....

Yes, but I was replying to Croz, Re manual focusing.......

If you want to manually focus the standard lenses on a modded camera you just have to add a clear clip in filter. That’s what I use on the modded 1000D. Works perfectly.

I use two 20Ah gel cell golf buggy batteries which are now 12 years old and still work 100%. You will need at least a triple stage charger.

I use an HEQ5 and a NEQ mount. For the past ten years I’ve successfully used a 12v to 15v converter rated at 120w to power them. No issues, no drama - no low voltage concerns.

I think these knobs are threaded, the shaft having a taper and thread end. I'd try holding one knob and then turning the other anticlockwise with a fair effort to get it to release.... I use the SW focus motor on all my telescopes - works well for me. (With the 10:1 versions I belt drive the 10:1 knob - 6mm xml belt, 30 tooth pinion on the motor)

Andy, I think you need more exposure to boost the signal. You can use a couple of images -one with line at 620 saturated to bring out the fainter ones and one similar to the above. Walker's atlas will guide you through the maze.......

Many of the amateur spectroscopists use both the Neon and Relco reference lamps. No major issues, no drama.

I did the same a few years ago..still very happy with the result. I need to fit a focus motor (I use the SW motors to belt drive the 10:1 knob on my other scopes) but haven't figured it out yet.

Possibly..... we’re still waiting on any current user feedback on performance.......

There’s not too many commercial spectrograph available. The sole suppliers are Shelyak in France and Baader in Germany. All the others have fallen by the wayside.....such is life.

Welcome to the exciting world of spectroscopy! Sounds like you're off to a good start. You might want to consider using other pre-processing software like BASS Project or VSpec. These packages contain some comparison spectra which can be used to produce an Instrument response curve and subsequent corrections to your spectra. Onwards and Upwards

What about a quick change over secondary? From Newtonian (F4?) to Cass f12 all in one OTA????