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DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 12:24 am
by Merlin66
Anyone still using this obsolete TS-1 Daystar H alpha filter?
If so, what are the issues????
Let me know,
ken
http://www.company7.com/daystar/products_old.html

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:57 am
by mdwmark
Well I know of a few that are used. I converted them to a TEC controlled ovens so they will work all year long.
Mark

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:12 am
by mdwmark

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:52 pm
by Valery
mdwmark wrote: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:57 am Well I know of a few that are used. I converted them to a TEC controlled ovens so they will work all year long.
Mark
What is the cost of such an upgrade?

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:57 am
by Merlin66
I don’t know about the ION update costs, but Daystar quoted >$850 for blocking and trimmer replacement- No guarantee

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:28 am
by mdwmark
HI group,
The cost of converting the TS-1 to TEC is not that much. But I like to check them out first to make sure the etalon is still good.
If you are in Europe they will be ship through Baader Planetarium. So you can contact them about shipping.
In the US they would go through Alpine Astro.
The blockers are usually in the $600 range with an 5 year warranty.
The one disadvantage with the TS-1 is that the peak could be on band at 5-10C. So if you are where there is a lot of humidity. You may only be able get the bandpass closer to Ha then use the tilt to bring it on band. You don't want to have dew forming on the back of the filter because the temperature is to low.The standard minimum setting on the control chip is 15C.
If we need to go lower then 15C. I would use the B-1 controller instead.
I am using a new high efficiency TEC controllers that are rated at 4 and 6 amp depending on the power needed.
So if you have one you want look at, the only cost for checking it out is the cost of the shipping.
Mark W.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:30 am
by Merlin66
Mark,
I’m in Australia.
Can you confirm the size and design of the filter tilting screw?
I’ve just received it - it looks promising and is mounted on a 2” diagonal bur the tilt screw is missing.....
Looks like a 3/16” thread??
Appreciate any input.
Ken

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:52 pm
by Merlin66
The details I have:
Unit is a Daystar Solar Filter model TS-1
Serial # TS-697
Operating temperature - Ambient
Power - Not applicable
Cw - 6562.8 A
HW - 0.7
Daystar TS-1.jpg
Daystar TS-1.jpg (109.4 KiB) Viewed 7886 times
I'd like to at least try it in a f30 beam (with upfront ERF) but need to solve the tilt screw problem.....
(EDIT: Tried a 3/16"w and a 5mm screw in the tilt adjuster threaded hole - close but neither of them go in.... OK I think it may be a 10-32 UNF thread, I'll try to find a local supplier...)
)

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 11:38 pm
by mdwmark
Hi Ken,
The screw is a 10/32 thread. If you have to change the threads to metric, Take off the back plate with the spring. You should have enough room to run a tap with the cell tilted.
Mark W.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 11:51 pm
by Merlin66
Mark,
Thanks for that, appreciated.
I’ve managed to source a 10-32 set screw, Is the end of the screw just a domed end where it interfaces with the tilter?
I haven’t obviously dismantled the filter. The front gold element looks pretty clear and the rear red element has a couple of small bubbles.
I think the 2” diagonal isn’t an original part of the filter, added later by the previous owner.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2018 8:15 am
by mdwmark
HI Ken,
The normal screw was a plastic knurled-head thumb screw.We would smooth the bottom of the screw so it would not dig into the cell of the filter stack.
The easiest way to check the filter. Is to put on the scope, point it at the sun, and without an eyepiece look into the back(red side). Be back about a least 300mm. It should look clear. This is just to see if the ITF has failed or the etalon is still good. If it looks dark the bandpass blocker may have shifted or degraded. Just because the front blockers is gold doesn't mean that it is still good.
If you need anything , contract me direct. I don't have an dealer in Australia.
Mark W.
PS: I have changed old ATM's to 12 volt dc with an low cost controller and also changed the ATM's to TEC controlled ovens.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 3:14 am
by Christopher
I have a 0.6A version that Mark reconditioned and upgraded to TEC oven. I’m quite happy with the result. His diagnosis after checking it will let you know if it’s worth your while. In my case I felt the results were very economical I.e. price vs. performance. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Hope that helps.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:56 am
by Merlin66
Mark,
Thanks for the feedback.
If we ever see the sun again I'll certainly apply your test...
I'll contact you Re inspection/ repair/ upgrade.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:54 pm
by Merlin66
Mark,
I've sent you an email......

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:02 am
by eroel
Ken:
Missed the thread at its beginning, but I just want to say that I have an old T-Scanner bought many years ago from Del Woods, it had the same housing as the one you show.
Some years later Del passed away and I had to change the blocker and trimmer, so I sent it to Daystar and Jen told me that she could house the etalon on a heated housing that also had the tilter knob, so I did that and still use this 0.45A° etalon, it works really good, I use the heater and also use the titer to adjust it to the red or blue wing and also to get the best and even image posible.
Do not know which model of Daystar filter this housing belongs, but it performs nicely.
Best regards,
Eric.
T-scanner 1.jpg
T-scanner 1.jpg (183.68 KiB) Viewed 7572 times
T-scanner 2.jpg
T-scanner 2.jpg (225.99 KiB) Viewed 7572 times

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 4:14 am
by mdwmark
Ha Ha ha, That's the old TS-2 housing. I came up with that for the etalons that run around 30-40C(the ATM worked poorly there). Del quit using them when I left. They where larger so that a standard rubber strip heater would fit inside. They must have been with the stuff when the new Daystar took over. They still have the problem as any strip heated filter, they will drift red unless your using a good ERF like a D-ERF.
Mark W.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 2:50 pm
by eroel
Hi Mark:
You are right, when my T-scanner was upgraded and back in México, I did not like its performance, so started to tweak step by step the heater pot once a day until I got the best place, from then on, it performs very good, the tilter use is just for fine adjusting the etalon.
Bet you remember those days many many years ago, when Gordon Garcia´s photos and images were the goal to reach, so Del one day he told me, I am going to make you a filter so you can compete with Gordon, so I got my 0.45A° ATM,
After some years, I had to change the blockers and trimmers so I sent it to Jen, she told me that my etalon was incredibly even and good, so it looks like Del really meant he was going to make me a special filter. :-))
I still use the 5.1" diameter red Schott glass ERF that Del sent me, as also a Yellow ERF got from Daystar a few years ago. Also have the Aries 10" ERF, that still have not tried it on my 10" Mak, due to some mount and tuve problems. :-((
Best regards,
Eric.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 1:20 am
by mdwmark
Gordon Garcia, That's a name from the past. I haven't talk to him in years. I hope he is still around. He did some great stuff with film. SO-410, I wonder how many remember that film. Kodak changed the name later, but I don't remember what it was.
Using the tilt for fine adjustment is what I had in mind with your housing. It is also what I shoot for with the TEC conversion.
Mark W.

Re: DayStar T scanner TS-1??

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2018 3:10 pm
by eroel
Mark:
I never met Gordon, but we wrote letters and were in touch all the time, hope he is still around.
Those days without emails passed very slow waiting for the answer of your never ending questions.
I used 2475 film for he Sun and Moon, it was a very slow but contrasty film.
We used to buy from Kodak some spectroscopic emulsions but do not remember the names, I still have my dark room at home, so I will see what were those films, Oh, one I think it was the 106AO or AF, I still keep some reels in a fridge.
Best regards,
Eric.