 Equatorial platform upper assembly pieces. |
 Upper components assembled in the jig. |
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Someone wiser than me once said that there is no perfect telescope, for each type is a compromise of some sort. I have owned and used different types of telescopes, but I always come back to the simple reflector design (preferably on a Dobsonian mount). For me, this is the best possible compromise. However, there is one element of a Dobsonian telescope that bothers even me - the inability to track celestial objects. Sure, you get to the point where the periodic stair-step nudging becomes second nature, and that's fine for low to mid power observations. But it soon renders high power viewing an exercise in futility. And just forget about critical observing or sketching...
But no more... Not for me. I have decided to add an equatorial platform to the TK-13
Equatorial platform: After evaluating all of the commercially available equatorial platforms, I noticed one feature that I felt was a necessity: the ability to quickly reset the platform. Some systems reverse the direction of the motor, at a higher speed, to move the platform back to the starting position. Other systems utilize a mechanical means to disengage the drive to allow the platform to be quickly reset. I decided that I would like a system that made use of the latter.
My search ran all over the internet, and right back to my own backyard, so to speak. A fellow club member made one for his 15" scope. It worked quite well, and he made one for another member... and another... and a local equatorial platform business was born. My platform was completed in June.
The Red Oak Astronomy equatorial platform performs wonderfully in the field. It is ruggedly constructed, yet remains quite light. It is easy to deploy and will see lots of action!
The platform is aligned using its built-in compass, adjusted to account for my local 12° East of North declination. The bubble level makes short work of adjusting the feet to account for uneven surfaces on the observing field. Thad (at Red Oak Astronomy) modified my ground board so that it sits securely on top of the platform - no need to remove the ground board from the rocker box. A groove cut into two of the ground board feet accommodates the north equatorial bearing, while a pin on the south end of the platform fits into a nylon bushing on the other foot. Thad also modified the azimuth brake adjustment lever, by adding a brass extension, to simplify the process for increasing or decreasing azimuth friction. The platform provides 71 minutes of tracking time, interrupted by a reset process that literally takes a couple of seconds. The reset procedure consists of pressing a couple of buttons on the Sky Commander, flipping the reset lever on the platform, and positioning the table back at the starting position.
I cannot imagine observing without my Red Oak Astronomy equatorial platform!
Equatorial platform upper assembly pieces. |
Upper components assembled in the jig. |
 Platform base pieces cut out... |
 ...and assembled in the jig. |
 Top frame components welded. |
 Base frame components welded. |
 Almost finished drivetrain...Just need to make a coupler and motor mount, and this part's done. |
 Qwik reset finished...The qwik reset mechanism after polishing and assembly. |
 Facing drivewheel...Squaring up the round stock so I can start turning down to size. |
 Turning drivewheel to size...This part is critical because it determines the tracking rate. |
 The finished Red Oak Astronomy equatorial platform. |
 Ground board modification for use with platform. |
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© 2002, 2003 Peter Argenziano, all rights reserved.
Page last updated on 16 November, 2003