Mods on an ETX

I'm using an ETX125 and considering some modifications for dew controller
and focuser controller lines. There is a 9v line from transformer to
electric focuser (otherwise I always end up forgetting to disconnect and get
out somewhere with a dead focuser battery). And there is a line to the dew
strap and a second to the sensor for the Dewbuster. The problem is line
wrap.

I'm considering opening the base and making some modifications:

1) Insert jacks on the non-rotating portion of the base.

2) Place jacks on the top of the base, between the two arms.

3) Connect them with wire, and either allow enough wire to twist full
rotation both ways, or place the top jacks in the hole in a way that leaves
them free to rotate as the scope turns on the az axis. Does anybody know
someone who makes a jack that is already set to rotate?

I'm not sure if I want then velcro the Dewbuster controller to a leg or
between the mount arms. Either way, I will need three lines running from
rotating to nonrotating portions of the mount. If I put the controller
between the arms, I need a 12v feed to it, a 9v feed to the focuser and a
line back from the Dewbuster down to the eyepiece box for the heater in it
(I live less than a mile from Puget Sound---dew capital of the world).

If I put the controller below I need 9v to focuser, 12v feed from controller
to dew strap and line to the sensor for the dewbuster.

I'll probably end up using the arrangement that puts the Dewbuster
controller
on the leg of the scope so it is accessible for running lines to another
scope at a later date. If so, I may go ahead and rig up an extra line incase
I later want to use a heater on the eyepiece as well.

Has anyone here done a modification like this? How did it work? What would
you change or do differently if you were doing it again?

Anybody know a site with good pictures of the inside of an ETX base?

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor

Hmmm,

There's not nearly as much room for a loop as I thought there was in there.
Somewhere I thought I'd seen pictures that showed more room. I guess my
memory isn't working any better than Spirit's.

:-(

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************
"CLT" not@thisaddress wrote in message
...
I'm using an ETX125 and considering some modifications for dew controller
and focuser controller lines. There is a 9v line from transformer to
electric focuser (otherwise I always end up forgetting to disconnect and
get
out somewhere with a dead focuser battery). And there is a line to the dew
strap and a second to the sensor for the Dewbuster. The problem is line
wrap.

I'm considering opening the base and making some modifications:

1) Insert jacks on the non-rotating portion of the base.

2) Place jacks on the top of the base, between the two arms.

3) Connect them with wire, and either allow enough wire to twist full
rotation both ways, or place the top jacks in the hole in a way that
leaves
them free to rotate as the scope turns on the az axis. Does anybody know
someone who makes a jack that is already set to rotate?

I'm not sure if I want then velcro the Dewbuster controller to a leg or
between the mount arms. Either way, I will need three lines running from
rotating to nonrotating portions of the mount. If I put the controller
between the arms, I need a 12v feed to it, a 9v feed to the focuser and a
line back from the Dewbuster down to the eyepiece box for the heater in it
(I live less than a mile from Puget Sound---dew capital of the world).

If I put the controller below I need 9v to focuser, 12v feed from
controller
to dew strap and line to the sensor for the dewbuster.

I'll probably end up using the arrangement that puts the Dewbuster
controller
on the leg of the scope so it is accessible for running lines to another
scope at a later date. If so, I may go ahead and rig up an extra line
incase
I later want to use a heater on the eyepiece as well.

Has anyone here done a modification like this? How did it work? What would
you change or do differently if you were doing it again?

Anybody know a site with good pictures of the inside of an ETX base?

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor

Hmmm,

There's not nearly as much room for a loop as I thought there was in there.
Somewhere I thought I'd seen pictures that showed more room. I guess my
memory isn't working any better than Spirit's.

:-(

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************
"CLT" not@thisaddress wrote in message
...
I'm using an ETX125 and considering some modifications for dew controller
and focuser controller lines. There is a 9v line from transformer to
electric focuser (otherwise I always end up forgetting to disconnect and
get
out somewhere with a dead focuser battery). And there is a line to the dew
strap and a second to the sensor for the Dewbuster. The problem is line
wrap.

I'm considering opening the base and making some modifications:

1) Insert jacks on the non-rotating portion of the base.

2) Place jacks on the top of the base, between the two arms.

3) Connect them with wire, and either allow enough wire to twist full
rotation both ways, or place the top jacks in the hole in a way that
leaves
them free to rotate as the scope turns on the az axis. Does anybody know
someone who makes a jack that is already set to rotate?

I'm not sure if I want then velcro the Dewbuster controller to a leg or
between the mount arms. Either way, I will need three lines running from
rotating to nonrotating portions of the mount. If I put the controller
between the arms, I need a 12v feed to it, a 9v feed to the focuser and a
line back from the Dewbuster down to the eyepiece box for the heater in it
(I live less than a mile from Puget Sound---dew capital of the world).

If I put the controller below I need 9v to focuser, 12v feed from
controller
to dew strap and line to the sensor for the dewbuster.

I'll probably end up using the arrangement that puts the Dewbuster
controller
on the leg of the scope so it is accessible for running lines to another
scope at a later date. If so, I may go ahead and rig up an extra line
incase
I later want to use a heater on the eyepiece as well.

Has anyone here done a modification like this? How did it work? What would
you change or do differently if you were doing it again?

Anybody know a site with good pictures of the inside of an ETX base?

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor

Hmmm,

There's not nearly as much room for a loop as I thought there was in there.
Somewhere I thought I'd seen pictures that showed more room. I guess my
memory isn't working any better than Spirit's.

:-(

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************
"CLT" not@thisaddress wrote in message
...
I'm using an ETX125 and considering some modifications for dew controller
and focuser controller lines. There is a 9v line from transformer to
electric focuser (otherwise I always end up forgetting to disconnect and
get
out somewhere with a dead focuser battery). And there is a line to the dew
strap and a second to the sensor for the Dewbuster. The problem is line
wrap.

I'm considering opening the base and making some modifications:

1) Insert jacks on the non-rotating portion of the base.

2) Place jacks on the top of the base, between the two arms.

3) Connect them with wire, and either allow enough wire to twist full
rotation both ways, or place the top jacks in the hole in a way that
leaves
them free to rotate as the scope turns on the az axis. Does anybody know
someone who makes a jack that is already set to rotate?

I'm not sure if I want then velcro the Dewbuster controller to a leg or
between the mount arms. Either way, I will need three lines running from
rotating to nonrotating portions of the mount. If I put the controller
between the arms, I need a 12v feed to it, a 9v feed to the focuser and a
line back from the Dewbuster down to the eyepiece box for the heater in it
(I live less than a mile from Puget Sound---dew capital of the world).

If I put the controller below I need 9v to focuser, 12v feed from
controller
to dew strap and line to the sensor for the dewbuster.

I'll probably end up using the arrangement that puts the Dewbuster
controller
on the leg of the scope so it is accessible for running lines to another
scope at a later date. If so, I may go ahead and rig up an extra line
incase
I later want to use a heater on the eyepiece as well.

Has anyone here done a modification like this? How did it work? What would
you change or do differently if you were doing it again?

Anybody know a site with good pictures of the inside of an ETX base?

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor