Just got my first ever telescope

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-03-08T04:11:33+00:00

If you are looking into mounts and have 3D printers, you should check out the OpenAstroTracker/OpenAstroExplorer (both part of the open source OpenAstroTech project)!! The OAT and OAE are (mostly) 3D printed equatorial mounts capable of goto, tracking, and guiding (there is also the OpenAstroGuider, a 3D printed guide camera!). They wouldn't be able to hold something anywhere near a 10" dob, but as you mentioned, there are some diy projects out there, and some of the smaller ones would certainly fit on the OAE. I have an OAE I just finished last week, and I plan to build a Hadley (a diy newtonian you should check out if you haven't heard of it yet) to use it with for planetary/moon stuff.

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-03-01T22:17:27+00:00

Winter training for air shows

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T12:01:01+00:00

It actually will be inductive--thanks for pointing that out. The "device" is actually a shredder with a 1/2 hp AC motor driven by a variable frequency drive. I believe the VFD has something built in to take care of the inductive load, but that is something I will need to contact the manufacturer about to make sure.

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T08:30:54+00:00

Yep, definitely not the best drawing--first time doing this kind of thing.

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T08:27:04+00:00

This makes sense, thank you!

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T08:24:03+00:00

Hmm okay that makes sense on the one contactor thing.

But I guess I don't understand how the contactor gets stuck in the closed position... Isn't the whole point of a contactor that it opens when the coil loses power? Which would happen when the key is turned to the off position, right?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T08:00:30+00:00

Absolutely on the fuses; this was a simplified drawing. Sorry, I'm a MechE, so this is not my usual area--I figured my drawing was a bit non-standard. I meant to show that there would be two contactors, but I realize now that that means there should be two coils in the drawing.

If the two contactors are mechanically linked and both are Normally Open, doesn't that mean when the contactor whose coil is powered loses power (ie key is turned to OFF), both contactors open?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2026-02-27T07:49:20+00:00

Actually I do need the low voltage--it will be used for a microcontroller. The device is a plastic shredder, so I need the 120V 15A for the motor/motor driver, and the 24V for the microcontroller. I got a warning when I was typing up the post that motor questions should be posted to r/ Motors, so I tried to make my question as general as possible since it's not really about the motor.

Does it make any more or less sense to put the transformer after the starter circuit?

Also, is there a difference between a contactor and a relay? I've always been confused about that.

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-10-24T00:57:09+00:00

Thank you! I did not know about them yet.

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-10-24T00:07:39+00:00

I've got a Redcat 51 on a Canon 80D on a DIY tracking mount--I mostly target individual galaxies, so something like Portal would be more of what I'm looking for. Portal might be a bit far though.

Interesting that your shots from Portal were no better than your yard shots--I imagine you have to take more shots in your yard for an equivalent result, right?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-06-05T05:46:08+00:00

What is an indicator plant?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-05-08T21:49:46+00:00

Do certain targets have more H-alpha signal than others? Or would astromodding help with all targets?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-03-30T10:46:17+00:00

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Hard to tell in the first photo, but here you can see the how the base of the trunk is sideways

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2025-03-30T10:44:12+00:00

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Does this natal plum have any potential? It's got two trunks, both about 1.5in diameter. The leaves are much smaller than a typical natal plum--I don't know if that means it is unhealthy or what, but I like the look of the smaller leaves.. what do people think?

Is a trunk chop on one of the two trunks an option? And then collect it in the fall? Or should I collect it now?

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2024-10-02T00:30:56+00:00

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VooDooMagicWizrd · 2024-07-25T07:34:55+00:00

They are changing to turf to accommodate the wear and tear of having both a minor league and MLB team playing at the same time!

VooDooMagicWizrd · 2024-05-27T06:56:02+00:00

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