This is the last test. Here I've installed a front baffle; i.e. a ring mounted in front of the mirror. It is masking off the outer 1/8" of the mirror, and also serves to deflect the air from the fan directly across the face of the mirror.
The Lightbridge mirror measures 9-3/4" in diameter. It is now operating at 9-1/2" clear aperture.
@sport2175
Sorry to say I have not really tested it fan on / fan off. I will make sure to test it this summer. Here in winter I only use smaller refractors.
slgarris666 1 month ago
Thanks for making these videos, I am about to do this to my 12" dob.
Have you tried observing without the fan running, and then switched the fan on to see if image quality improved?
sport2175 1 month ago in playlist Uploaded videos
@Cyber0Bill
Yes - I decided to mask the outer edge - the mirror was tested and has a very slight turned up edge. The actual mirror diameter is 9.75", and my steel rings inside diameter is 9.5", so I'm masking only 1/8" of the edge.
The tube rings were powdercoated black by me, but Meade has now changed the color to black on new units.
slgarris666 1 year ago
This is really neat!! I have a couple of questions though.... You say that the baffle's opening is smaller than the mirror, so you're masking off the outer 1/8"... Why? Do you have a turned down (or up) edge on the mirror or something?
I'm also curious if you painted the rings black? I've got a 16" lightbridge and all of the rings and the back plate of the telescope are white. I'm in the process of painting them black, but I'm curious if they come black on the 10". Thanks again!
Cyber0Bill 1 year ago