mapstar

The slip rings drilled and ready for fixing To prevent tarnishing I will eventually put a thin smear of vaseline over both rings which will aid the copper brush gear whilst moving the az motion. Next the wiring route which would consist of an XLR socket inset on the outside foot of the ground board. A hole through the rear of the socket towards the centre and a routed channel to feed the wiring through to the slip rings.

It's been a while since I posted anything in the DIY section so I thought I'd post an update on the scope and where it is at present. The next scope build is a little way off so here goes. One thing I have wanted to do with the scope is put power up through the ground board. I had started the job several weeks ago but didn't manage to progress it much due to other tinkerings. With the Peak star party just around the corner I thought I'd try to get it done and give it a good run out. The concept involves making two brass rings, one for positive, one for negative and then two pick up brushes so that the az can rotate without a powercable to an external power supply. I cut two brass rings ( Sliprings) from 3mm thick material allowing enough space for fixings. Here they are positioned on the ground board ready for drilling This is they stage I was at for a few weeks.

If you use a cheap buck converter buy two and feed one with the other in a serial chain. If one fails then it wont then pass through 12v to the camera. Its cheap to do. Set the first to 7.4v and feed it into the second straight through at 7.4v.

Excellent stuff Marci. You did say it was copious and no joke. Must've taken a while and then some to write it all up

Damn knew someone would find it

Some nice detail in those Stu even though the moon isn't my favourite subject

Ha ha astro photography and lunar aint me but single unstacked frame of the moon through the eyepiece with a galaxy S6. Yes it's complete rubbish I mean who the hell wants to look at that all night!

Maybe a cap thats gone if its had the polarity reversed. Had it a couple of times on skywatcher mounts. Could as you say have affected other components on the boards

Big eye's for the Skye's Brotherhood of the dob!

The 200p will get a serious upgrade

Brilliant photos mate wish I'd been there

I bet Vicky will be pleased it's gone to a good home too.

Brilliant stuff Marci and nice to see what was a defunct mount making a come back as something useful. Thanks for the component descriptions too. Just hope that people look past the usual 3 threads at the start of the DIY section and see there is something interesting to read Carry on fella be good to see it at our local viewing spot when it's complete although till then I'll keep tabs on how you're getting on.

Maybe you could start a blog Gina as people will be able to follow your progress easier and maybe make suggestions and help? A better place for it maybe in the Imaging-tips/tricks and techniques as there are probably more people with the relevant experience to help in there as they probably don't look in the diy section?

Hi Gina Just been reading the thread and should this now be in the imaging section/discussion instead of diy section? Maybe the mods could move this to the appropriate place.

Any more pictures Mike

Think I'll struggle on that one Lee but I like your thinking that it'll be clear every night

Brilliant stuff Mike what's the nameplate made out of? Got a camera lined up for the Skye trip so loads of photos

Nice star testing results Mike and hope it went well. The Veil looked stunning through mine the other night and will have another glance in the dark skies of galloway tonight. It's been a long journey and glad its culminated finally in a stunning deep sky photon muncher.

yeah it's extortionate!!!!!

New spider is well under way, how's the new secondary holder looking Mike

FOC thought you'd already paid for a flat

Hmmmmm it's not looking too good for Elan mate. At least you'll have a great Strehl ratio with no central obstruction! Not much good for observing though

You lost that ages ago Mike

Shakes head in disbelief