Connecting large SBIG cameras: If you need to connect a SBIG AC4040 or AC2020 (or the STX/STXL series) camera to the PlaneWave series of telescopes, here are a few (imperfect) tips that may save you time. Bolt Hole Pattern: All Diffraction's large cameras and accessories use the same bolt-hole pattern. You can use 4 machine screws to bolt the adapter to any of the following items: AO-X adaptive optics SC-3E off-axis guider AFW series filter wheels FW7-STX and FW5-STX filter wheels AC4040, AC2020, STX, STXL series cameras. Standard Adapter Plate: Each large size SBIG camera comes with a 10018 adapter plate. It has 4 bolt holes that attach it to the camera with 4 machine screws. There is an Engineering Drawing with dimensions on that page. You can remove this plate and attach it to the SBIG accessory closest to the focuser/rotator. The adapter plate has 3-inch x 24TPI internal threads. Thread it onto the focuser draw tube if it has 3-inch x 24TPI threads. OR you can remove this plate, and use a different adapter that connects to the 4 bolt holes. PlaneWave hardware: We're not PlaneWave experts, please contact them for assistance. To get you started, here is a list of some of their adapters, commonly used with the SBIG large format cameras, and with many larger PlaneWave scopes. You need to verify if these are the right ones for your scope, focuser/rotator, and verify if the back focus distance is correct. IRF-90 or large 3.5-inch Hedrick focuser 600327 spacer 600328 spacer 200395-3 adapter for 3-inch x 24 to PlaneWave SecureFit 600337 replaces the SBIG 10018, adapter to 4-bolt pattern If you have the 20 or 24-inch PW, then the above are most of what you need. If you have a smaller PW, you will need the bottom two, and probably some other parts. (Contact PlaneWave). Backfocus Calculator - the +DOWNLOADS section of the camera page has a calculator for doing the SBIG back focus calculation. You need to cross-check that against your exact PlaneWave setup. Hopefully this gets you started in building up your system.
