Telrad died. Fix it or buy new (or other)?
Lawrence Sayre
a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
---------------------------------------------
Man's mind is his basic tool of survival!
(a quote from the famous 'John Galt' speech
in the equally famous book "Atlas Shrugged")
Lawrence Sayre <lsa...@stratos.net>
---------------------------------------------
Thomas Massey
diode can be purchased at Radio Shack for a few cents, and easily replaced
if you can use a soldering iron carefully, with a heat sink.
Tom
RMOLLISE
Hi Tom:
I agree! And it's probably not even the LED which has gone wrong with his
Telrad (though it could be the dimmer/switch). A visit with an
electrically/electronically inclined friend should prove illuminating, and will
likely reveal nothing more critical than corrosion/loose connection, etc.
Peace,
Rod Mollise
Mobile Astronomical Society
http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html
The Home of _From City Lights to Deep Space_:
The Urban Observer's Guide to the Deep Sky
*********************************************************
Ratboy99
>Telrad (though it could be the dimmer/switch). A visit with an
>electrically/electronically inclined friend should prove illuminating, and
>will
>likely reveal nothing more critical than corrosion/loose connection, etc.
>
I'm with you. I dropped mine on concrete and it was rattling for a while, but
it just turned out to be the battery that was knocked loose. I am embarrassed
to say it because I don't want to sound like I don't observe much (well I do
use 2 scopes so I'm not giving it all away), because I get out quite a bit, but
I still haven't had to replace the batteries yet after 2.5 years! Maybe that
should be a measure of experience; what set of batteries you're on in your
Telrad.
rat
~( );>
Capella
>
> >There are no substitutes for Telrad, clunky or no clunky. A light emitting
> >diode can be purchased at Radio Shack for a few cents, and easily replaced
> >if you can use a soldering iron carefully, with a heat sink.
> >Tom
>
> Hi Tom:
>
> Telrad (though it could be the dimmer/switch). A visit with an
> electrically/electronically inclined friend should prove illuminating, and will
> likely reveal nothing more critical than corrosion/loose connection, etc.
>
I suggest a third possibility:
A pro-magnified finder advocate in this ng snuck over and sabatoged
it. Will these people stop at nothing?? :^)
Capella
>qnet.com
>My roughly 5-6 year old Telrad died (not just dead batteries). Is there
>a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
>one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
>
radio parts place and replace the old one. Heck, even Icould do
that in about an hour max.
Frez
that
>should be a measure of experience; what set of batteries you're on in your
>Telrad.
>
>
>rat
>~( );>
Still using ten month old original batteries, and they
were left on 24 hrs straight a couple of times.
Paul Rest
If you can figure out what is wrong with it you might have to only spend
a few bucks rather than $30-40. However I don't have any info on how to
get parts for the Telrad, so maybe someone else can help you out there.
Hope this helped some.
-Paul
Lawrence Sayre <lsa...@stratos.net> wrote:
> My roughly 5-6 year old Telrad died (not just dead batteries). Is there
> a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
> one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
>
JosephB41
there so long they leak and do some nasty damage. I had to replace the battery
holder on mine because of that. It's smart to look at them once in a while.
Joe Bergeron (JABer...@aol.com)
MitchAlsup
>there so long they leak and do some nasty damage. I had to replace the
>battery
>holder on mine because of that.
I just had this happen to me, however, I put two dimples on a piece
of 1/4 by 1/16 by 1" brass and a small strip of double sidded tape,
and presto, repair complete--for the next ten years.
Mitch
Mitch Alsup
Mitch...@aol.com
RMOLLISE
>The only drawback to the long battery life of a Telrad is that they can be in
>there so long they leak and do some nasty damage. I had to replace the
>battery
Yep:
Happened to me too. I replaced the battery holder in that particular Telrad
with an enclosed box type holder I bought for a dollar or two at Radio Shack.
RMOLLISE
>
>A pro-magnified finder advocate in this ng snuck over and sabatoged
>it. Will these people stop at nothing?? :^)
>
>
No doubt you are correct, sir! :-)
I do admit however to having a 50mm finder mounted on my 12" too...having a
'scope' type finder DOES help a bit when working in light polluted environs...
wa...@my-dejanews.com
like they were put together in someone's garage in the first place.
In fact, Radio Shack sells a blinking LED with the resistor built in. You
might be able to up date it at the same time you fix it.
(If you decide to get a new one, send me the old one. I have disassembled and
ruined lots of equipment in the interest of science.)
In article <36b0f...@news.qnet.com>,
Starlord@<*>qnet.com (Slc.Dennis Bishop) wrote:
> On 28 Jan 1999 13:43:38 , Lawrence Sayre wrote:
> >My roughly 5-6 year old Telrad died (not just dead batteries). Is there
> >a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
> >one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
> >
> If it's the red LED that burned out, you can get those at any
> radio parts place and replace the old one. Heck, even Icould do
> that in about an hour max.
>
>
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Lawrence Sayre
>
> On 28 Jan 1999 13:43:38 , Lawrence Sayre wrote:
> >My roughly 5-6 year old Telrad died (not just dead batteries). Is there
> >a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
> >one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
> >
> If it's the red LED that burned out, you can get those at any
> radio parts place and replace the old one. Heck, even Icould do
> that in about an hour max.
I finally pulled the LED and found it to be dead (and boy was it hard to
pry that bugger out of it's nest). I headed to the local Radio Shack,
but they only had 12v LED's in stock, so I got adventurous and installed
a 12V LED, and also converted to a 9V battery. It works fine, but the
pot must be cranked up nearly all the way to get a reasonable light
output (due to the 9V battery vs. 12V LED). At least I'm back in
business, and for only a few dollars (the 9V battery cost was most of
this). Now I wonder if I'll be chewing up 9V batteries left and right,
vs. only one battery change that I can remember with the original set up
in all the time I owned it.
A big thanks to all who helped out with this! I easily could have been
out $35 to $40 for a new one (plus shipping).
Capella
>
> >I suggest a third possibility:
> >
> >A pro-magnified finder advocate in this ng snuck over and sabatoged
> >it. Will these people stop at nothing?? :^)
> >
> >
>
> No doubt you are correct, sir! :-)
>
> I do admit however to having a 50mm finder mounted on my 12" too...having a
> 'scope' type finder DOES help a bit when working in light polluted environs...
Agreed. I have discovered a limited ability to do CCD imaging in
the city and hence from lack of naked eye stars available I have
resorted to using setting circles to get close to my target and
my 8x50 finder to land it on my CCD chip. There are just not enough
stars visiable in my Dallas suburb to use the Telrad on most shots.
My poor Telrad meanwhile is getting neglected in between
country visits. :^)
Capella
Stard...@webtv.net
had 12v LED's in stock, so I got adventurous and installed a 12V LED,
and also converted to a 9V battery. It works fine, but the pot must be
cranked up nearly all the way to get a reasonable light output (due to
the 9V battery vs. 12V LED). At least I'm back in business, and for only
a few dollars (the 9V battery cost was most of this). Now I wonder if
I'll be chewing up 9V batteries left and right, vs. only one battery
change that I can remember with the original set up in all the time I
owned it.
I once hooked 3 12v LEDs to a single 9v battery. I did this to
illuminate the black tripod legs on my Tasco reflector, cuz I kept
kicking them in the dark. I changed the battery twice in 3 years. Also,
try Tech America for electronic parts etc. It's the same company as
Radio Shack and most anything you need is there, as well as stuff you
didn't know you needed : ) Also, a while back I saw advertised a L.E.D.
that clipped onto a 9v battery, Anybody know if they're still available?
Stard...@webtv.net
More tears have been shed from answered prayers than those unheard-----
rigelsys
rivet/contacts often corrodes (turn green) and act as an insulator. If
you crimp the rivets/contacts to get continuity with the copper strap, then
it will start working again.
best regards,
Rigel Systems (manufactuer of QuikFinder)
Lawrence Sayre wrote:
> My roughly 5-6 year old Telrad died (not just dead batteries). Is there
> a way to get it repaired, or would it be cheaper/easier to buy a new
> one, or go with a Rigel, Daisy, or other sight?
>
Paul Taylor
>
> I finally pulled the LED and found it to be dead (and boy was it hard to
> but they only had 12v LED's in stock, so I got adventurous and installed
> a 12V LED, and also converted to a 9V battery. It works fine, but the
> pot must be cranked up nearly all the way to get a reasonable light
> output (due to the 9V battery vs. 12V LED).
More likely your "12V" LED has an internal current limiting resistor.
Regular LEDs need a resistor added in series to limit the current; the
resistor value depends on the type of LED and voltage used. Most likely
the Telrad already has a series resistor in the circuit, so you are
getting more resistance than you need. You could replace/short out the
existing resistor with a wire link, or replace the 12V LED with a standard
one.
"Resistance is futile; you will be illuminated."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Paul Taylor Veni, vidi, tici -
bir...@ozemail.com.au I came, I saw, I ticked.
RMOLLISE
>the city and hence from lack of naked eye stars available I have
>resorted to using setting circles to get close to my target and
>my 8x50 finder to land it on my CCD chip. There are just not enough
>stars visiable in my Dallas suburb to use the Telrad on most shots.
>
>My poor Telrad meanwhile is getting neglected in between
>country visits. :^)
>
>Capella
Hi Capella:
Poor little thing! Maybe you'd better buy it a nice Daisy BB sight to keep it
company! :-)
Dale Evans
He is right,, I live in Irving and my Telrad is good only for getting
close.... There just aren't enough stars...
--
Dale E. Evans
notth...@hotmail.net
RMOLLISE
>
>He is right,, I live in Irving and my Telrad is good only for getting
>close.... There just aren't enough stars...
>
>
>--
Actually, I find a Telrad/50mm finder an excellent combination even under dark
skies. The Telrad gets you in the neighborhood, and many deep sky objects are
visible in the finder. If not, you've got so many guidestars visible in a 50mm
finder that starhopping is simple. And the Telrad does definitely increase my
speed in locating objects over just the finder alone.
Dale Evans
Next to my drive motor battery my Telrad is the most important accessory on
my scope.
RPrestonic
>that clipped onto a 9v battery, Anybody know if they're still available?
The Ohio company that makes the "Dob-Driver" goto system for Dobsonians
makes these. I think they advertise
in S&T. Can't recall their name, sorry.
Votumfoa
trash and get a REAL finderscope; one that has light gathering power and can
show you faint stars. If you all were smart enough to realize it a finder does
EXACTLY!!!!!! the same thing that a Telrad does and it does it better, PERIOD.
Try using a Telrad to find some of those faint objects in empty parts of the
sky. I know it can be done, but how long does it take someone to star-hop to a
faint fuzzy in a empty part of the sky? Telrads are fine for bright naked-eye
targets but you would be absolutely utterly amazed at how easy it becomes to
find even the faintest, most obscure deep-sky objects using a real finderscope
with just a little practice. No kidding, it really is sooooooooo easy. Now
kwitcherbichen and get out there and observe and start posting observing
reports and turn this newsgroup into a useful tool for sharing astronomy, not a
chatroom about gadgets and useless accessories. Get out there and do some
observing for a change..
Michael A. Covington
>I wouldn't even give a Telrad a decent burial. I'd throw the damn thing in
the
>trash and get a REAL finderscope; one that has light gathering power and
can
>show you faint stars. If you all were smart enough to realize it a finder
does
>EXACTLY!!!!!! the same thing that a Telrad does and it does it better,
PERIOD.
Now, now, there are those of us who know how to use a Telrad :)
It is no substitute for a finder, but it has its uses and in some
applications is much easier to use.
Votumfoa
preference of a finder over a Telrad and I often get strange looks when people
ask me why I don't have a Telrad.
My advice is use whatever it takes to get you to enjoy observing. Whatever
makes your experience under the stars enjoyable is what it's all about.
Clear skies to all
Abel van Weerd en Piet Dekker
incredibly handy to use the Telrad to pick up a more or less bright 'lead
star' to start a starhop. And it's incredible too how many fuzzy DSO's you
can catch from that point with a careful starhop (and a good finder).
Planetaries magn 13 are obtainable even from down town sites !
In my case I use a combination of an 8" SCT as main scope, a telrad to
start a starhop, and a Orion ST 80mm, mounted on my SCT, as finderscope. A
perfect trio !
Abel van Weerd.
Michael A. Covington <covi...@mindspring.com> schreef in artikel
<7a46t9$ijo$1...@camel0.mindspring.com>...
b.alex.pettit.jr.
about a year. I use my OrionEZFinder to get close to
the object by triangulation off of bright stars,
and then scan with a wide angle EP until
it is located... I rarely even uncover that nice 7x50
finder scope !!!! In my light polution, you cannot
see any DSOs in that finder, and the inverted image
just makes the search even that much more difficult...
Regards,
B. Alex Pettit Jr
Orlando Fla
Jim Harkins
kid busted mine over Thanksgiving and, while I've got a servicable fix in
place, it's not as good as new.
jim
--
vi vi vi - The Number of the Beast
Jim Harkins jhar...@netcom.com
San Diego, CA.