How to handle a huge telescope OTA | One person Celestron C14 Assembly
Watch me defy the laws of gravity and my own strength 💪✨! In this epic field setup, I mount my Celestron C14 Edge HD telescope (20+ kg of pure astrophysical power 🚀) on the Rainb...
Very interesting procedure but one that could not work with many other mounts than yours. I personnally find that using rings helps a lot. You move the mount to an horizontal position, open the rings and just lift up the C14 into the craddle. Quite easy as a one-person job.
I'm personally not able to lift up the C14 high enough to lay it down horizontally. But I don't really understand why this approach should only work with my mount? It will work with any mount that can support the C14, and if it cannot, you wouldn't want to put it on there. Surely on traditional GEMs you have to add the counterweights before lifting but you'd do that either way.
I have an evolution 8 I can carry in one go but seeing the C14 when you carry makes it think I shouldn’t probably get a C14 unless I kept it outside 😂
This got me to thinking . A one ton capacity engine lift may just be the solution. They cost around 300$ but would definitely save your back and scope . Also a used would be much cheaper .
and then I just need another engine lift to move the engine lift in place :D
@the_space_koala😂 Nah they are on wheels and move about very easily Luca.
I use a Meade 12-inch telescope, and when I attach the telescope tube, I have made a custom jacking device to do so.
So dreams really can come true! :)
This was an ingenious idea. I have a 10" Refector and that will work great for me. Thank you.
Thanks for the video. When do add the counter weights? Which mount are you using?
I don't use counterweights but if you do you would add them before you start lifting with the mount. This is the rainbow astro RST-300
@the_space_koala Thanks Luka but isn't that scope more than 30Kg?
I don’t know the RST-300 has the miniature Welsh Rugby team inside.
the scope is 22kg (+additional equipment). The mount is suggested for up to 30kg w/o cw
Thank you. I just built an observatory & need to mount a C14 OTA. Your method is awesome!
Wow, what a job to do. Two things that struck me. You Luca, handling such a big scope on your own ( i would not do it myself i guess) and second, what mount did you use? Amazing how a harmonic mount can handle such a weight without CW's
The mount is an RST-300 by Rainbow Astro
Geniale!
How’s the performance of that system overall? It’s hard to look at it and not think it’s under-mounted for the size of the scope.
the mount carries this beast like a champ :)
That was awesome! I never thought of using a table or chair and the mount motor to handle the alignment. I have an EdgeHD 11 and I'm not young anymore. Also, the OTA weighs 28 pounds and has very few places to use as handles. So, I really struggle to match up the dovetail with my AM5 mount and hold it in place while I tighten the clamps. In the RASA configuration, the Starizona would be in the way. However, I could leave it off until the OTA is on the mount and then install it and the dew shield.
I mount the EdgeHD without issues if I turn the dec axis horizontal (in fact I mount all my scopes like this apart from the C14)... It takes a second to lift it up and then it can rest on the clamp while you tighten it
@the_space_koala Total Facepalm!!! I never even thought of that. Which makes me wonder whether or not my neurons are on speaking terms with each other since it is now obvious that the horizontal position is better--and/or your method using a supporting table, stool, chair. I always started with the mount in its native "Home" position, which, at my latitude, is about a 47 degree angle up toward the North Pole during the "attempted" installation of the scope on the mount. And, of course, the OTA wants to slide backwards during the process of lining it up and tightening the clamps. And, working from the front, there is no visibility. Duh! Your video and suggestions will be so helpful. Also, based on an EdgeHD 11 configuration that I viewed today in "Martin's Astrophotography" channel, I plan to install a Losmandy bar on top and add an ADM handle. The extra handle on top should be very helpful to anyone wanting to stabilize the mount while tightening the clamps. And I could use a Losmandy bar to mount a power controller and mini-PC.
I use a similar method, but use the Televue Air-chair, which has a spring-assisted adjustable height.
that sounds cool! they should've really called it ChAir though ;)
Wow!!! I admire your effort that is one giant telescope! I’ve seen many people do it this way which is a pretty reliable way to do it. And wow I’m surprised by that mount! Which one is it? It looks like a compact but super capable mount.
it is the Rainbow Astro RST300. it is extremely powerful, and it is also the single reason I am able to use this telescope on my own. Lifting up the scope is one thing, but I wouldn't be able to lug around an EQ8 to support the weight of this tube!
@the_space_koalaoh wow! Nice it definitely looks powerful I think the minimum cheapest mount that could handle it is a CGE or CGE pro. But otherwise yea it needs a big mount, how much does the tube weigh like 46lbs? I remember the C11 I used to have was about 65lbs so maybe I could totally lift it up. But the C14 is giant in size and I’m a short man 😅 haha so maybe I’ll prob struggle with it 😂. I’ve actually never seen a C14 in person now that I think of it 🤔 but it must be GIANT! But the views must be extraordinary. Have you seen Christopher Go’s and especially Damian Peaches pictures!? Insane!
una bella eq 8
in america siete ricchi sfondati
non sono in America e purtroppo non sono ricca sfondata
@the_space_koala ma sei italiana
no, sono in Ticino (Svizzera)
un telescopio di questo devi avere un tre piede con ruote avere una macchina grande cosi non conviene, o tenerlo nel giardino con na cupola , sono tanti soldi se ti cade ciao ciao ciao
sì è scomodo spostarlo, ma proprio un telescopio così sarebbe veramente sprecato se lo utilizzassi solo da casa dalla città sotto Bortle 7
@the_space_koala be se si abita in citta c è molto inquinameto
😘😘
This is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤.
thank you!
Wow, that is a hefty beast for field astronomy. How does the collimation hold up when you drive it around? Usually places with dark sky are pretty remote and mostly with bumpy roads. My Skymax 180 (that looks like a toy compared to the C14) is in a padded bag and I usually wrap it in a thick blanket when I have it in the car.