Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

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mclane70
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Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

Good morning,
I hope that someone can resolve this issue happening with my Lunt60Tha BF1200
I used to image sun with a 174 mono camera and a barlow 3x. Sometimes a full disc image without barlow. no issue with the sweep spot.
After a couple of month of inactivity i take out my scope from the case and try a full disk image but something was wrong... multiple white spots all over the field. :evil: Tilt tuning does not help.
Blocking filter and blue filter in the diagonal are both very clean.
What is going on? :?:
Please see the attached flat frame and full sun in focus
Any suggestions are welcome.
Attachments
flat frame
flat frame
sole2.jpg (82.76 KiB) Viewed 2623 times
full sun in focus
full sun in focus
sole1.jpg (79.31 KiB) Viewed 2623 times


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by marktownley »

Can you post a picture of the external faces of the filter elements in the blocking filter, also of the camera chip please also.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by Martin_S »

Have you tested your lunt Visually? , can you send us a cell phone picture through the eyepiece?. If that checks out ok the fault could be in the camera, the cable , chip and AR window are possible things to check out.

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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

Thanks for your replies. Camera and cable is OK as I use it regulary for deep sky images. However I tried with another camera and another cable, QHY290M with same results...
I took pictures of both filters in diagonal. They are OK, clear with no marks or spots.
I took also picture pointing at the sun without the diagonal, and there seems to appear light spots.
Attachments
without diagonal
without diagonal
IMG_4096.jpg (110.49 KiB) Viewed 2594 times
without diagonal
without diagonal
IMG_4095.jpg (97.96 KiB) Viewed 2594 times
without diagonal
without diagonal
IMG_4094.jpg (135.23 KiB) Viewed 2594 times
blue filter
blue filter
IMG_4089.jpg (145.13 KiB) Viewed 2594 times
blocking filter
blocking filter
IMG_4086.jpg (110.02 KiB) Viewed 2594 times


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by marktownley »

Blocking filter has failed, you need to contact Lunt.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

marktownley wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 3:27 pm Blocking filter has failed, you need to contact Lunt.
do you mean the blocking filter in the diagonal?


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by marktownley »

Maybe it's just the light, but the green side (ITF) on the blocking filter looks blotchy to me.

Where are the dots on looking up the tube? What does it look like looking down through the objective?


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

marktownley wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 3:48 pm Maybe it's just the light, but the green side (ITF) on the blocking filter looks blotchy to me.

Where are the dots on looking up the tube? What does it look like looking down through the objective?
Both ITF and blocking filters are clean! I think that something happened inside etalon. I'm thinking about opening the tube to see if something has to be cleaned, but i'm scared to mess all up! :|


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by DeepSolar64 »

It looks like the etalon in the tube has something on it. Moisture maybe? Where was the case stored during the time the scope was not in use?

I myself would be afraid to open up the tube. Etalons are very fragile. I would call Lunt.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by Martin_S »

Why not try tracking the sun all day with the blocking filter removed to see if you can get rid of whatever is on the optical surfaces, That should allow some air to circulate around the etalons. If it makes an improvement , do it a few times and see if it clears before you dismantle your telescope.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

DeepSolar64 wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 5:13 am It looks like the etalon in the tube has something on it. Moisture maybe? Where was the case stored during the time the scope was not in use?

I myself would be afraid to open up the tube. Etalons are very fragile. I would call Lunt.
Yes it looks like something is on the elalon. It was stored in a photohraphic alu case during winter
Martin_S wrote: Wed May 26, 2021 6:05 am Why not try tracking the sun all day with the blocking filter removed to see if you can get rid of whatever is on the optical surfaces, That should allow some air to circulate around the etalons. If it makes an improvement , do it a few times and see if it clears before you dismantle your telescope.
I will try before calling Lunt. Can reapair be made in US only or Europe has service too?


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

Hello mclane70.

WARNING:- You may already know this, but a reminder that using any optical-device pointed at the Sun, without having ======== an approved Energy Rejection Filter, Lunt60Tha BF1200 etc., or Hershel Wedge fitted to the scope, could allow significant focused Sun-light to burn or cause a fire and/or injury...

This certainly has occurred recently to one of our Solar-Imager's, although luckily nothing too-serious - this time...!!!

PLEASE TAKE CARE
Terry


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

EGRAY_OBSERVATORY wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 12:30 pm Hello mclane70.

WARNING:- You may already know this, but a reminder that using any optical-device pointed at the Sun, without having ======== an approved Energy Rejection Filter, Lunt60Tha BF1200 etc., or Hershel Wedge fitted to the scope, could allow significant focused Sun-light to burn or cause a fire and/or injury...

This certainly has occurred recently to one of our Solar-Imager's, although luckily nothing too-serious - this time...!!!

PLEASE TAKE CARE
Terry
Thank you very much. For this reason i have not tried to visually test it using an ocular!
I have also found an intersting thing, just google "Etalon Peaks and Safety" and may be similar to my problem. I need to check the system using an addictional UV-IR


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by SimonM »

The etalon has two parallel surfaces which are very close together. When you use the pressure tuner, you vary the air pressure but don't change the spacing. So if (as suggested) there is moisture between the two plates, the bubbles won't change their size. Perhaps if you use it (and ignore what you see) it will sort itself out. The patent on the etalon, used a sheet (mica or similar?) that is diced up and used to provide the separation. There isn't much that holds these things together (or apart), so fixing them is definitely a job for Lunt Solar and any DIY attempts to fix things would probably invalidate a warranty. That said, there is a company in Germany that specializes in fixing these things?

Simon


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by Simon2940 »

Your front ERF optics has failed coatings. You can see it in the image where your looking thru the tube.

How is this scope and where did you get it from?
mclane70 wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 3:05 pm Thanks for your replies. Camera and cable is OK as I use it regulary for deep sky images. However I tried with another camera and another cable, QHY290M with same results...
I took pictures of both filters in diagonal. They are OK, clear with no marks or spots.
I took also picture pointing at the sun without the diagonal, and there seems to appear light spots.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

Simon2940 wrote: Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:41 pm Your front ERF optics has failed coatings. You can see it in the image where your looking thru the tube.

How is this scope and where did you get it from?
I got it used on december but the problem came out just now!


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by Ivan »

Hello,
Did you solve the problem?

Ivan


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

Ivan wrote: Fri Jun 25, 2021 9:31 pm Hello,
Did you solve the problem?

Ivan
Not Yet :oops:


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by Rusted »

It has been suggested that the etalon has moisture trapped within it.
There is a very safe and simple trick for removing trapped moisture:
Place the item in a sealed polythene bag with loose, uncooked rice.
Dry rice is highly absorbent and can do no harm.
Though this will not repair optical coatings if the problem lies there.

Have you contacted Lunt for advice?
I had a very quick email response only recently.
That was just a speculative product enquiry.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by RKBerta »

One of my Ha scopes is a Lunt 60 with pressure tuner. When my ERF failed in the Blocking Filter I called Lunt and they just sent out a new filter and I installed it myself. If you have a lock ring device to remove install it is an easy fix. Tool cheap and available from Amazon. No charge from Lunt.


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by mclane70 »

UPDATE

Just received a quick response from Faye Roman from Lunt.
Lunt confirms that i need a new blue glass for blocking filter diagonal.

I'm going to get it from bresser europe and i will let you know as soon i will replace it!


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by EGRAY_OBSERVATORY »

That's excellent news from an excellent manufacturer who cares..

Terry


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Re: Lunt 60Tha sudden problem

Post by marktownley »

Good to hear the road to recovery is imminent.


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