Orrery Referbishment

November 2017

After some judicious soldering the Sun is now shining again.

Further, I've dismantled the earth axle and taken a hammer to it. Thankfully we came to an arrangement, so we now have a spinning earth.

I've been trying to figure out how to configure the Tellurium, once everything is fixed. The Earth and moon location is straightforward to determine, but the tilt is a little more difficult. Where are we in the 18.6 year moon cycle?

Also, I've been thinking about replacing the drive motor with a stepper motor and simple controller, I could then keep the Tellurium run all the time, so it will always show the correct date, and additional buttons could let it run forward/reverse in high speed mode (as it does now).

November 2017

The item was in better and worse condition than described. The moon is missing as described, and it looks like there is a healthy aftermarket on Tellurium moons - I'm just going to have to pay out a fair amount.

The motor and electrical are in perfect condition, and the brass work is clean with little tarnishing.

However the Suns lights and battery compartment are totally destroyed. But, worst of all, the Earth axle is completely bent, and the moon arpeggio gear is free-wheeling on the main axle. Not major deals, but extra to work on.

October 2017

I picked up an absolute bargain Orrery on eBay. Listed as "BIG Planetarium Orrery Sun Earth Moon Solar System SOLID BRASS Mechanical Model", with the description of:

"You are viewing an eagle moss planetarium.selling as spares repairs as the moon is missing and the sun needs battery's.in used. Condition,though very nice.does work though not as fast as I imagine it should,so will need a service and clean.some wear round edges though doesn't detract from the look.no power supply.thanks for looking at my item."

An Orrery with just a Sun, Earth and Moon is usually called a "Tellurium". It looks like I'm going to have to strip it down, polish up all the wheels and sprockets, fashion a moon and moon follower pin and maybe service the motor/electrical.

Sounds like an ideal winter project. A quick check on eBay shows instances of this model in good condition go for 10x the price I paid, so well worth an investment.