Had to do it.

By way of introduction here, I'm a relative newbie to astronomy, and even newer to Dobsonians. I've got an 8" Lightbridge, maybe not a light bucket but at least a pail...

wohooo! lol an 8" is a good pail especially a nice Lightbridge. I was lucky enough to own a Skywatcher dobsonian 10" but unfortunately I have it in Canada and its been 2 years since I looked through it...

Just joined the group. I have an Orion XT6 Dob. Have had it for almos two years. Am currently trying to make my way through the Messier catalog.

Hi! Glad to join too! I have a 12.5" Discovery Truss scope. It really is the biggest scope I can manage on my own. Before that I briefly owned a "department store" refractor, then, for about 7 years, an 8" Celestron SCT. I've had my current scope for about 5 years and am thoroughly happy with it. I did do a lot of "tinkering" with it which was part of the fun.
Maureen

Hi Maureen, those 12.5" Discovery Truss scopes are very nice! What mods have you done to the scope?

Hi Guys,

Someone was foolish enough to invite me to join the Dob Group. Thanks!

I do have a light bucket. It was used to post signs and notices during star parties, and is still used now and then. One of my favorite ones was when it said, "This is a Light Bucket" during a Winter Star Party maybe 15 years ago. While it did get a few chuckles, it did little to get astronomers to stop calling Dobsonians 'light buckets'.
I think the term must have been invented by some of those guys with little tiny telescopes that look more light pencils than telescopes. I guess they are the ones who first developed aperture envy, you think?

Here is a picture of my pride and joy. It is a 5 gallon size, and uses a 7 watt red bulb mounted on a dimmer.

OK, so I was going to post a photo, but can't find the button…

Hi folks,
In response to your question about modifications - will have to do it in two posts:
1. My model came with a five pound weight at the end of the stem that holds the secondary. I removed the weight and cut the stem back so that it doesn't extend beyond the UTA.
2. Replaced short collimation screws with 2" long thumb screws so no need for tools to collimate.
3. Replaced standard JMI focuser with Feather Touch Focuser.
4. Replaced small washers under spider veins with much larger ones. This has helped scope maintain collimation at different altitudes.
5. Added Argo Navis DSC's.
6. Added cooling fan.
7. Replaced Discovery light shroud (which fit loosely and got into light path) with form fitting one.
8. Added plastic "corners" on mirror box to keep ambient light from intruding.
9. Added power rail and bracket for 12v 7 amp hr battery to run fan and AN (which uses loads of batteries in cold weather.)

Part two:
10. Stripped, sanded and refinished entire scope in deep cherry stain. (Yes it was a tremendous amount of work but I love the new look!)
11. Added decorative brass corners (the way Rob Teeter does to his scopes.)
I'm sure I've left out some of the mods but these are the major ones to date.
Maureen

Thanks everyone for the joining and posting exciting info on their light buckets !

Maureen those are great modifications would love to see some pictures if you have any.

Tom, Sorry but you can add pictures you can click here:
http://www.astronomyforum.net/astron...ploadphoto.php

And then you can click "Insert Image", the yellow button on top of the quick reply post to paste in the image link into a post.

Was planning on taking a series of pictures of the various mods when it gets warmer outside! I also forgot to list another one. I added a sliding weight balance system. I used to use a heavy chain but this is so much easier.
Maureen