From: "doobisary" <tjp314@pacbell.net>

Date: November 1, 2009 2:41:19 PM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: How to mount a filter wheel


Isn't the SX filter wheel mounted via pentax threads?  Or t-threads?  (which might be the same thing, I think).  If so, you could check if your LX200 has a camera t-thread adapter that then screws onto the visual back.


-Tim.


--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Terrence Redding <tredding@...> wrote:


Don, that is right.


Nothing in the documentation describes mounting the filter wheel on  

the camera or the scope.  In my case I have an LX200R with electronic  

focuser.  I assume I mount the filter wheel after the focuser, and  

before the camera.  There is nothing that says which side of the wheel  

is towards the scope and which is towards the camera.


The filter wheel has no mounting hardware.  Assuming the labeling  

faces out, than it would appear some form of threaded coupler must go  

between the wheel and the scope.  I assume a 2" adapter of some type.


The side of the wheel I assume must attach to the camera does not have  

a way to couple to the camera - so some form of an adapter is required  

there as well to receive the nose of the camera.


But as you can see I have a lot of assumptions and no instructions, or  

even a picture showing the filter wheel with a camera.


I assume in a few days I will be among the many that know how to use  

the filter wheel with the LX200R and a variety of planetary imaging  

cameras.  But I hate to loose another week, after waiting nine weeks  

for the filter wheel, to figure all of this out.


That is why I am so thankful for groups like this which can lend  

assistance.


The Starlight Express Filter Wheel is finely crafted, very quite and  

quick.  I have the seven position filter wheel installed with the  

Baader LRGB-CCD-Filterset 1 1/4" installed.  I like the idea of  

software control and a single USB cable for power and wheel control.   

I believe Starlight Express has another winning piece of kit.  My  

serial number is SXFW-041 which implies it is only the 41st wheel made.


I have uploaded the manual that came with the wheel to the file section:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/starlightxpress/files/Redding%20Observatory%20South/


The question is how do I mount the wheel to the scope.  And how to I  

attach a camera.  I am using integraing WAT-120N+ cameras, and small  

DMK21 firewire planetary imaging cameras at this time.


I also have the DSI II and the DSI Pro II. The cameras all seem to  

need the same sort of mounting point - the same as an ocular.



Terry - W6LMJ - 14.287


Terrence R. Redding, Ph.D.

Redding Observatory South, West Palm Beach, Florida

http://olt.net/learningstyle/Site_2/Learning_Style_Research.html

How do amateur astronomers learn?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc

American Association of Variable Star

Observers (AAVSO): RTN http://www.aavso.org/







On Oct 31, 2009, at 3:53 AM, LX200GPS@yahoogroups.com wrote:


Re: How to mount filter wheel

Posted by: "Donald" djd521@...   astrojunkie52

Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:46 pm (PDT)




Terry,


Are you saying no instructions came with the filter wheel? I would  

think going right to the source would get you an answer quickly in  

the StarlightXpress Yahoogroup.


http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/starlightxpress/


Don