TS20 Upgrades and Modifications
The Club has a range of equipment to help with our hobby. First amongst all of this is our 20″ Dobsonian Mounted Newtonian Telescope – the TS20
Built almost 25 years ago, refurbished in the 2020s, the TS20 has undergone some recent minor improvements.
2023: New bearing and Azimuth setting circle
The azimuth bearing of the scope is made up of three large rubber roller bearings. In 2023 we removed the central locating bolt and replaced it with a 20mm bearing.
We also installed a 600+mm diameter setting circle.
The bearing and setting circle were an improvement, but further improvement is possible.
We also added at this time a digital inclinometer and bracket to allow us to accurately set the altitude of the scope. Accuracy was aided by having an adjustable levelling table for the scope to sit on.
2025: New Azimuth bearing.
December 2025: A 18″ Lazy Susan Bearing was fitted. This replaced the three large rubber roller bearings (1) with a slimmer ball-type bearing.
The aluminium Lazy Susan bearing is attached to the lower base with 6 x 25mm stainless screws. The bearing attachment to the upper base is by means of 4 x 6mm stainless. There are 6 mounting holes, but 2 of these are unsupported (see photos). The bearing has been tapped (3) so the bolts are firmly fixed in place (4), allowing easier fitting of the upper box assembly. The fixing is finished by four butterfly nuts (5).
Proposals for 2025/26.
- Replace the central bearing and three roller bearings with a lazy-Susan bearing. DONE.
- Replace the DIY azimuth circle with a professionally printed aluminium and rubber composite circle. Awaiting final designs.
- Replace the full-contact (480mm) altitude bearing strips with either shorter strips or Teflon blocks.
- There are issues with this as the TS20 Alt bearing is NOT angled. See photos 1 to 5.
- Seek permission (from the site managers) for a permanent, level, weatherproof base for the TS20 to replace the levelling table.
- Improve the wheelbarrow handles by replacing the slide-in sockets with bolt on connectors.
2025 Proposals Costs etc.
- A lazy-Susan bearing around £60
- Professionally printed aluminum and rubber composite circle approx. £30
- Reduce size of bearing contact surfaces £0.00
- Permanent, level, weatherproof base for the TS20 to replace the levelling table. £10.00
- Replacing the slide-in sockets with bolt on connectors. £10.00