[SJAAboard] C11-Compustar

[Rich N]

Hi Lee,

Thanks very much for checking out the C11 Compustar and your report.

Clear skies,
Rich

> Hi all,
> Please forgive the mysterious question marks that show up in my emails.
>
> ?After working on the C11 Compustar SCT and?reattaching 3 wires on the?Declination axis,?it appears it has outlived it's 
> usefullness in it's present configuration.? In my opinion we need to make changes in order to make it a practical loaner 
> telescope.
>
> ?Optical coatings seem okay and I've heard this particular OTA?is good optically,?but the mount is a real problem.
>
> 1.? The overall condition of the OTA and mount is mediocre, which by itself isn't a problem, but there is lots of play in the 
> Declination axis of the fork mount.
>
> 2.? It requires so much power in order to function that is totally impractical to operate in the field as a loaner telescope.? 
> If a typical 12V source is used, the drive motors quiver from lack of power and the computer display warns of "Low Battery".? 
> When a strong 12V battery is used, the power cord quickly blows it's own inline fuse.? Since Celestron provided this telescope 
> with a massive power converter as big as a shoebox, it was aware of the power consumption issue.? I can't imagine how this 
> telescope could erver run on? remote battery power for more than an hour.? I suppose if it were using 120v wall power and some 
> kind of 12V converter that might provide for it's power needs, but that's not for us and even then, I'm not sure it can be made 
> to work properly.? It's like an old car that gets 5 miles per gallon of gas- and should be retired.
>
> Some possible options for new mount using existing OTA:
>
> 1.? Find older C11 fork mount.? This would be the cheapest, but would require a power converter as the old mounts were made to 
> run on 120v.
>
> 2.? Find a newer C11 GOTO?fork mount
>
> 3.? Find a medium duty GEM, either non GOTO or GOTO and convert OTA to fit.? I don't know of any suitable GEMs in the loaner 
> program.
>
> OR:
>
> 4.? Sell the whole thing with a warning that it needs help.
>
> Lee
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