Original Mantis microscope - what to check? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 09:57:37 pm
content: I've just nabbed an original model Mantis stereo microscope for £435 on ebayIt's described as fully working the last time it was used, and comes with 4x and 8x lenses, although it's missing the desk mounting clamp.Terms are cash on collection, so can any Mantis aficionados on the forum offer useful tips on what to check when I go to pick it up? Can alignment and optics be checked on an unmounted scope and are there any gotchas?Thanks.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 10:25:20 pm
content: There is nothing to align in the original mantis. The desk mounting clamp is a problem though. That one is frequently missing and unobtainium....if it is only the C-clamp that is not a problem. It's mostly the turret base itself that is missing... and then you have a serious problem as you can't install it. the turret base holds the arm up and lets it pivot. it is a conical construction and very difficult to make, even if you have a lathe.I had the same problem. luckily i was able to 'borrow' one from work , make a cast of it in silicast material. i then used some plumbing pipe and a mounting flange to make an inner support structure , hang that in the mold and fill the remaining space with urethane resin.100% copy. it even replicates to marbled surface of the original. and its much stronger due to its iron innards. it costs about 80$ in parts and resin to make.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2013, 10:42:04 pm
content: Thanks, free_electron, that's good to know.This is a picture of the item. I've managed to grab a copy of the manual and from the pictures it looks as though the base is present and I can use a bog-standard C-clamp or screw it directly to the bench.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2013, 07:25:24 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 12, 2013, 10:25:20 pmThat is because when your lab is broken in the thieves grab everything that looks valuable but don't take the time to find tools and take the mount. No points for guessing how I know.(Sorty about a threadjack but can't resist: Those thieves took also a resistor decade box because it had so many knobs but left a precision reference oscillator valued a few ten grands since it only had one BNC connector.)

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2013, 09:08:37 pm
content: Quote from: JuKu on March 13, 2013, 07:25:24 amSorry to further hijack the thread, but ...... That's why every good crime team should have a tech guy!!!! You need at least the leader , the muscle, a driver, AND THE TECH GUY!! Learn from the movies people!Good score on the scope. Sounds like you made out if all you need are some bolts. I built a custom boom stand for an AO stereo scope head I got for cheap on Ebay as well. After the materials and especially labor you better enjoy making things because it would probably cost less to just buy something if you can. Good thing I enjoy making things. It's kind of insane how cheap you can get finished metal parts from china considering the cost of just some bar stock from the local metal shop.

author: sdim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 06:20:17 pm
content: I just got an original mantis. It came with x2, x4 and x10 lens with protection lens.Everything works fine but the lights, they do not turn on.I measured the voltage on the power plug that connects the arm with the body. My multimeter shows 0V (DC and AC) so I guess that the power supply is dead. I also tested the fuse, it is OK (measured resistance: 0?).Is there a way to disassembly the arm so I can replace the transformer?If not, what is the voltage on the power connector that connects to the head?There are two halogen lamps (12V, 20W each). Are they connected in series or in parallel?Should I use AC or DC power supply? 24V or 12V?If I should use DC, which part of the power connector is the ground?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 07:40:52 pm
content: parallel.the top grey plastic plate on the arm pop;'s off.then there is a spring you need to unhook. after that the backplate slides out.these things are a bitch to disassemble.

author: sdim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 05:38:06 pm
content: Thank you for the answer.I made an adapter and I connected a 12VDC/4A power supply to the power plug on the mantis head.Everything works fine now (light & fan).The fan is a bit noisy for me (I can even hear the inverter of the computer monitor) so I will replace the light bulbs with led light bulbs, I will make a simple PWM dimmer and I'll disable the fan.