Powered-Truss-System™.
Markless Astronomics Powered-Truss-System™ for Obsession Telescopes™
Introducing the Powered-Truss-System™. Finally, here is a robust, integral harness and power transfer system to get electrical power to your Obsession’s Upper Tube Assembly (UTA) using your Obsession truss poles as power conductors. Once installed, there is no need to run a power cable inside or outside of a truss pole to reach your UTA. If you already use your truss poles as conductors, our Powered-Truss-System™ will provide you with an excellent, long lasting connection to your truss poles at the mirror box and at the UTA. This product takes all the hassle out of getting and keeping power to your UTA.
The kit includes all components you need to transfer 12 VDC (from your 12 VDC power source in your rocker box) to your UTA’s dew controller. In most cases, there is no need to search for a connecting cable. They are all included in the kit. You supply a 12VDC RCA Phono connection in your rocker box (e.g., ServoCAT Power Rail) and a power distribution panel or a dew controller mounted on your UTA. Everything needed between those two items is in the kit. Most dew controllers have a cigarette lighter style connector and will need a converter cable or a connector modification. The kit includes a replacement heavy duty, RCA Phono connector for you to install on your dew controller cable, if desired.
Very simple installation! Requires drilling only four 9/64” diameter holes. No soldering, unless you replace your dew controller connector! Once installed, it virtually disappears. The Cu-Be (copper-beryllium) fingers reside inside two Obsession clamp blocks! The blocks are used as-is, and are unmodified. Fits Obsession 12.5", 15", 18", 20", 25", and 30". Sorry, it does not work on the 18" UC.
Kit includes:
Once installed, connect the supplied mirror box cable to your 12 VDC (only) power source or Power Rail inside your rocker box. Connect a short Phono cable to your power distribution panel or connect your dew controller to the UTA connector. Assemble your telescope and 12VDC power is on your UTA, automatically.
Prices:
PTS-12.5, -15, -18,-20, and -25: $69
PTS-30: $89 (due to mounting ring)
including shipping to anywhere in the contiguous USA. (Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and ROW – email us for shipping costs.) North Carolina residents please add 8.25% sales tax.
Specify your size Obsession and when ordering. Compatible with ServoCAT™ Power Rail. Write for more details, or to order.
cs(at)marklessastronomics dot com
Made in U.S.A.
Spider Wiring Kit™.
Markless Astronomics Spider Wiring Kit™ for Obsession Telescopes™
Introducing the Spider Wiring Kit™ or SWK, for short. This elegant solution is in response to a perceived need gleaned from posts on Big Dob and Obsession Yahoo Groups. It is based upon the tried and true method of a single enamel coated wire for one conductor and using a spider vane as the other conductor. The similarity to the old method stops there, however. Instead of messy glue, a special tape is used to hold the wire in place. The tape is strong, black, only 0.0019 inch thick, and is rated to perform in a temperature range of -60F to 300F. The wiring connections require no soldering and no sanding of the enameled wire.
The kit includes an angle bracket and Phono connector to make connection to your 12VDC supply easy. It also includes an additional 9V battery clip and mechanical splices in case your DG-1, -2, or -3 dew heater has the new battery box instead of the smaller 9V battery clip.
The SWK comes with every component required to complete the installation. No need to search Lowes or Home Depot to find a part. No need to waste hours trying to adapt something to make your installation acceptable.
Price is $31 postpaid USPS First Class, or $36 if you desire USPS Priority Mail. Please send me an email to order and specify your telescope model or size.
Specify your size Obsession and when ordering. Write for more details, or to order.
cs(at)marklessastronomics dot com
Made in U.S.A.
Read what customer Bill Warfield had to say about the SWK:
"Charlie, The installation was easy and quick. The directions were good and the photos helped. Now I just have to wait until good weather and a new moon to test the secondary dew guard to make sure all works. I put everything away before I thought of using my multimeter to test it. The powered truss system works fine. Also an easy install. ... Bill"
"Charlie, I finally got my scope together to do the autocal, and took the opportunity to test the the spider wiring per your suggestion. It worked like a charm. What a neat and elegant system. Thanks. ...Bill"
Dew Heater Controller Bracket, BDDB™ Bracket.
Dew Heater Controller Bracket
Do you have a dew heater controller with a power cord/cigarette lighter combination connection cable? Not exactly Big Dob-friendly, is it? Markless Astronomics and DewBuster.com have collaborated to deliver a dew heater controller and mounting bracket combination that is Big Dob-friendly. It is called, appropriately, the Big Dob DewBuster (BDDB) Controller.
One of the more useful and unique attributes of the BDDB, besides its many other attractive features (as indicated on the accompanying photograph) is its input power RCA Phono jackwhich permits the user to use his/her own RCA Phono cable to power it. This eliminates the need to replace the cigarette lighter plug with a RCA Phono plug - a big job for many people. In addition, the BDDB has three 12VDC unmodulated (straight-through) RCA Phono jacks to power your devices on the UTA that do not require modulated power, eliminating the need for a separate distribution panel on your UTA! (Hey, whose bright idea was THAT!!? See the DB-3,-4, or -5 on this page.)
Contact Ron Keating at www.DewBuster.com for the BDDB Controller.
Contact me for the BDDB Bracket.
BDDB Bracket - $10 postpaid via USPS First Class Mail to the 48 contiguous States. If you are in North Carolina, please add 8.25% for NC sales tax. Please contact me for S&H to AK, HI, PR, or ROW.
Markless Distribution Bar™.
Markless Distribution Bar
The Markless Astronomics Distribution Bar can be used in several different locations on your big Dob or other telescope. It can be mounted with the Phono connectors pointing vertically as shown, or mounted with the connectors horizontal. Typical locations (and uses) include
The Distribution Bar is designed for 12VDC only. It comes with a terminated wiring stub to connect to the positive cable of a Markless Powered Truss System (PTS). If not needed, the wiring stub can be left in place or removed. One Phono connector serves as the connector to the source of 12VDC, the rest serve as output connectors to the devices on your telescope. Comes with stainless steel mounting hardware.
Models are available with 3, 4, or 5 connectors. Please specify which model you desire when ordering.
There also is a model called the DB3S2, which is a switched Disti-Bar. It has one input jack and two output jacks. Each output jack has its own ON-OFF switch. It is perfect for mounting on your UTA ring for control of a MallinCam or LCD monitor.
A new model has been added called the DB1S1DC1. It's purpose is to limit the current from a DC to DC converter to a laptop. It is internally fused with a 3 amp PTC resettable fuse. Email me for additional information.
Prices:
S&H is $3 via USPS First Class Mail, or $5 via Priority Mail to USA 48 contiguous States. Please contact me for S&H to AK, HI, PR, or ROW.
North Carolina residents, please add 8.25% for NC Sales Tax.
Introducing the
Many Obsessions and other big Dobs arrive from the factory with a mirror fan installed, but not connected to power. The Markless Fan Connection kits are designed to complete the connection.
Features:
Prices:
S&H is $2 via USPS First Class Mail, or $5 via USPS Priority Mail. Please specify.
North Carolina residents, please add 8.25% for NC Sales Tax.
Email me at cs(at)marklessastronomics dot com to order.
Charles Starks, Charlotte, NC
Astrocrumb Filter Slides - a "MUST HAVE" accessory for your Big Dob. Roger builds 'em RIGHT!
Copyright 2003-2009, by Charles Starks, Charlotte, NC, All Rights Reserved
6:32 PM 12/6/2009