Skymax 127 Problem

[banjaxed]

Having successfully fitted motor focusers to 2 of my telescopes I decided to try and fit one to my 127 max. To find out the diameter of the focusing shaft I loosened the 2 Allen screws and removed the knob only to see the focuser shaft slowly disappear into the OTA 🤭 not being very familiar with the workings of these scopes I thought it would be best to ask advice before I proceed. The scope has not been moved since my unintentional sabotage so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edited October 27, 2021 by banjaxed

[michael8554]

The "Leap before you Look " school eh ?

Might be something helpful in these:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/135260-127-mak-motor-drive-focuser/

http://www.tanstaafl.co.uk/2012/02/skywatcher-127-mak-focuser-motor-drive-conversion/

With the OTA pointing skyward you might be able to fish for the focus rod.

Be careful handling the OTA now that the mirror is free to slide at speed.

Michael

[banjaxed]

28 minutes ago, michael8554 said:

The "Leap before you Look " school eh ?

Might be something helpful in these:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/135260-127-mak-motor-drive-focuser/

http://www.tanstaafl.co.uk/2012/02/skywatcher-127-mak-focuser-motor-drive-conversion/

With the OTA pointing skyward you might be able to fish for the focus rod.

Be careful handling the OTA now that the mirror is free to slide at speed.

Michael

Thanks for your reply. I am not normally in the leap before you look school but I must admit to a mental aberration with this project 🙄. The scope is presently situated in an upright position and the focusing shaft is about 5/10 mm from the back of the scope so gravity appears to be working. My thought is if it is left in this position it may eventually emerge from the OTA sufficiently for me to coax it out fully so I am keeping my fingers and legs crossed 😀

[banjaxed]

Looks like my patience has paid off as the focuser shaft made its way back to the rear of the scope enough for me to tease it all the way back out and refit the focuser knob. After a quick daylight test the images are as clear and in focus as before my (silly) mistake. Hope my experience will be of use to anyone else who is unsure about removing the focuser knob with the tube the wrong way up 😀