DIY Heritage p130 solar filter.

[KBMack]

Hi all,

I got myself some Baader solar film but wanted something a bit more robust than a diy cardboard filter so looked on ebay and found 150mm air vent. All that was needed was to cut some grooves out so it could slide in to the top of the scope and glue in the filter film. Unfortunately after ordering the vent i noticed there was another one with just a little lip going round the outside instead of a big square which i should have got but i`ll maybe cut this one down so it look`s a bit better. Hope this come`s in useful for someone else.

[CraigT82]

Nice idea with the vent, I think the big square could be handy as a sun shade, what are you going to do about the open truss?

[KBMack]

Cheers. I`ve made a diy shroud out of a yoga mat but havn`t used it yet while viewing the sun. I`ll give it a go once the cloud up here shift`s, see if it makes an improvement.

[Joseki]

For safety I'd use the shroud - less chance of any sunlight getting to the mirror without going through the solar filter first.  e.g. http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/246417-solar-film-an-open-dob-safe/?hl=%2Btruss+%2Btube#entry2679745

[KBMack]

Right enough lol i never thought of that, just aswell i never got blinded.

[KBMack]

Nice idea with the vent, I think the big square could be handy as a sun shade, what are you going to do about the open truss?

There`s just been a break in the cloud and your right the square bit helps stopping any sun getting through any gap`s in the shroud. Don`t think i`ll be cutting it down at all. 

[David Smith]

Always good to see ingenious use of items freely and cheaply available. As per above, definitely need a shroud for the scope.

[KBMack]

Yeah it`s just aswell i was using the shadow of the scope on the ground to get it lined up to the sun before putting my eye to the eyepiece. Could have been a trip to a+e.

[laudropb]

Very nice bit of improvisation.

[Sporadic Dobstronomer]

I don't see anything to guarantee it will stay in place.

Pleeeeease make sure there is a string or piece of elastic or something, and preferably two independent

somethings, so you, your cat, or the wind can't knock it off <down on bended knees with hands clasped smiley>.

[KBMack]

Thank`s. I think i`ll need to come up with something to stop it being acidently knocked of or being blown of by the wind though. I`ll have a gander on ebay or something for some kind of clips.

[KBMack]

I don't see anything to guarantee it will stay in place.

Pleeeeease make sure there is a string or piece of elastic or something, and preferably two independent

somethings, so you, your cat, or the wind can't knock it off <down on bended knees with hands clasped smiley>.

haha u must have posted this while i was still typing

[JamesF]

Even a couple of hooks on the end of a piece of elastic would do the job.  They could go around the truss poles and hook into the nearest hole in the corner of the vent.

James

[JamesF]

It's a neat solution though.  Well done

James

[KBMack]

Thank`s. I`ll have a look in my fishing box for some small hook`s and crimp the barb`s lol