New setup with a 300 mm lens and a EQ6 mount

[Astrofriend]

Earlier when I tested my Canon 300 mm L f/4 lens mounted on my Star Adventurer I found the load on the mount too high. Now I 'm adapting it to fit my EQ6 mount and include an auto guiding camera too.

Here are drawings and photos of my rainy day project:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

Have anyone seen a power regulator to USB heating bands ?

 

/Lars

Edited December 4, 2020 by Astrofriend

[Astrofriend]

I found a lot of USB heater on Ebay with a power control module. It's almost standard today and cheap too.

 

Lars

[Alien 13]

16 minutes ago, Astrofriend said:

I found a lot of USB heater on Ebay with a power control module. It's almost standard today and cheap too.

 

Lars

I use this one, works well with my lenses and will fit my Mak too.

Alan

[Captain Scarlet]

On 04/12/2020 at 20:37, Astrofriend said:

Earlier when I tested my Canon 300 mm L f/4 lens mounted on my Star Adventurer I found the load on the mount too high. Now I 'm adapting it to fit my EQ6 mount and include an auto guiding camera too.

Here are drawings and photos of my rainy day project:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

Have anyone seen a power regulator to USB heating bands ?

 

/Lars

Really? A 300mm f/4.0 is essentially a 75mm refractor, they don’t come much smaller than that. I’m surprised it overwhelms a star adventurer unless seriously unbalanced. I have one by the way, a lovely lens.

M

[Astrofriend]

@ Alan,

It looks to the same as I bought. It will be delivered in February.

 

@ Magnus,

Yes I have read about people that have a 500 mm focal length telescope on the Star Adventurer. Sure I can have it perform better, but I will use that mount for shorter lens. For 250 mm and longer focal length I want a GoTo function and better oportunities to autoguide.

 

This evening I have tested out an extender between the guide camera and the Pentax lens.

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

It's ready now for a first test, I just have to wait for a clear sky.

Lars

[Astrofriend]

@ Magnus,

I have always found it a bit strange why some people by a small APO refractor when there are lenses like these. Today they are very cheap on the used market, no need of the expensive stabilizing version. Built into the lens is a field flattener that handle full frame sensors. Not a general flat field flattener. There is  also a built in focus motor that maybe can be used.

Okay if your economy is unlimited, then you buy the best you can get, but for a normal person that's not the case.

 

By the way, I did some update of the text and added a couple of extra photos.

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

 

/Lars

Edited December 7, 2020 by Astrofriend

[Astrofriend]

Today I have made a new power cable, I bought a new power full USB Hub and need to do some rewiring.

 

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

 

Now waiting for new components I need to proceed.

 

/Lars

[Astrofriend]

Today I noticed something interesting. My mini PC that have an input terminal for 19 Volts can be powered by much lower voltage. I have also installed an instrument with a Volt and Ampere meter. Now I can have more control of which of the devices that consume most power. Important when on battery power.

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

I need to solve the mechanics of the motor focuser, have ordered some parts for that.

/Lars

[Astrofriend]

Is there something so exiting as when you can test something new that you have built ? I could do my first indoor test of the focus motor with it's 3D printed parts today. It's the USB-Focus and I control it through APT and ASCOM driver. Have a look at page 7:

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-300mm-setup/01-300mm-setup.html

The gear ratio I could achive let me use 30'000 steps of the 65'500 availably. There is also an instruction how I calibrate the focuser.

/Lars