Truss Tube to String Telescope Conversion

Home Page:  dbpeckham.com

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This webpage shows how to convert your truss tube telescope to a string telescope by bolting on the string assembly with minimum modifications to the mirror box.  Drill mounting holes in your existing mirror box and bolt on the string assembly.

Advantages of String Telescope:

• Easier setup (easier setup in the dark by one person)
• Quicker setup
• Fewer loose parts (Struts are the only loose parts.   Everything else is attached to the mirror box.)
• Lighter weight (four struts instead of eight)

Design #1 -  is an 8" F6 truss tube telescope with eight 3/4" diameter struts (trusses).  Here is the telescope.

• Loose parts include:

Design #2 - is a "traditional" string telescope with four struts and eight strings.

• Upper ring is attached to mirror box by strings
• Struts are only loose parts, no loose hardware

Design #3 - is a stacked string telescope.  Here is the telescope.

• Upper ring and middle ring are attached to the mirror box by strings
• Struts are the only loose parts, no loose hardware

Design #3 may be more appropriate than Design #2 for large F-number telescopes.  See String Telescope Concepts for more details.

Item Design #2 Design #3 Number of Struts 4 8 (4 two-part struts) Turnbuckles in Strings yes no Number of Strings 8 16 Middle Ring no yes Strut Compression Force (see telescope concepts) 2X Design #3 force more rigid (heavier weight) struts 1/2X Desgin #2 force less rigid (lighter weight) struts Upper Ring Standard Self-Adjusting Flex Ring

The choice of Design #2 or #3 is not addressed on this webpage.

• The mirror box is rectangular and moderately rigid
• A four strut string telescope design is used

• Drill three holes in each corner of the horizontal member of the mirror box:

 

• Pairs of aluminum plates are shown

 

• The aluminum brackets are shown bolted to the mirror box member.

  

The string attaching detail is very important to minimize bending moments in the upper ring and mirror box.  Click this link for a string anchor study.

The string attachment at the upper ring is similar to the string attachment at the mirror box.

• Drill three holes in each corner of the upper ring

  
   

The design works because the strings attach at the tops and bottoms of the struts, which means bending moments in the mirror box and upper ring are essentially zero.  For a description of how string attaching location impacts bending go to the "String Anchor Location Impact on Bending Moments" heading.

12.5" F4.5 String Telescope    
Two Cylinder Equatorial Platform with Floating South Mount     
Flex Ring (Flexible upper ring used with four strut string telescope)  
String Telescope Concepts  
8" F6 Stacked String Telescope
Greg's Right Angle Telrad