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Eq5 problems with star trails when imaging

Perrywarburton

By Perrywarburton
in Discussions - Mounts

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Perrywarburton

Perrywarburton

Posted
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Hi all, I'm new to here but could REALLY do with some help!!! I have an eq5, skywatcher 200p with tracking. I've had really good images in the past with 3 min exposures unguided, but for some reason I'm getting trails in my images now. I've set up the same way I always have, polar aligned and balanced. I've checked the reticle and that's spot on. The reticle did come out once! Would that make a difference? Maybe my motors are struggling. It all worked fine and now I can't even image :( I'm really at a loss so plz help. Thanks p

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Stargazer33

Stargazer33

Posted
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Hi Perry, first off, welcome to SGL. Lots of helpful people on here so I'm sure you'll be able to work out your problem.  Would it be possible for you to post one of your images where the star trailing has occurred?  Might give members a clue as to what could be going on. :smiley:

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JemC

JemC

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HI,

Not sure if this will be of any help to you, are you running it from a power tank or just the handset with batteries? i would of thought if the latter and the batteries are getting a little drained maybe this could account for it?

Regards

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Stargazer33

Stargazer33

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It doesn't look like a polar alignment issue as there is a bright spot and then trailing either side of that.

post-21511-0-05514000-1429732447.png

If my memory serves me well there was a similar post not too long ago and Olly thought it looked like backlash. Not wanting to teach my grandmother how to suck eggs, but are you doing up your clutch levers? It's easy to forget basic things some times. I know I've done silly things before! :embarrassed:

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SteveA

SteveA

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I would definitely go back and check your polar scope reticule is aligned correctly, it would be great if you could just drop it in and expect it to be perfectly aligned....but it won't be. It's an easy enough procedure, you can do it during the day by using a distant terrestrial object rather than Polaris. Have you checked for excessive play I the RA axis? Again a fairly easy one to check and adjust. In my experience it's best to eliminate the basic stuff like this before digging deeper.

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1parsec

1parsec

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I tend to agree with Bryan.  Not polar alignment problem.

If it were polar alignment issue the drift should be consistent and give an even elongation to the star.

If you have got the scope too finely balanced a slight breeze can catch the scope and do this.

Try unbalancing the scope a bit so the east side of the mount is a touch heavier. This will ensure the worm-wheel mesh is constantly driven.

Dave.

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Perrywarburton

Perrywarburton

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Hi guys thanks for the reply. I striped down the head last night and re-greased everything that need it.

(Southerndiver357) I think my RA gear was to tight + there was next to no grease on the gears. I've adjusted it and it seams much better now.

(SteveA) I've checked and checked and checked my reticle and I can say that it is spot on. I also sorted the date and time on it yesterday so I know it's Polaris.

(1parsec) can I drop the east leg to make it off balanced?

Thanks again guys for the replying. It's clear out tonight so I will drop back and let you know how it went. Just hope it goes well and that it was the gears being to tight that was messing it up.

Thanks Perry.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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1parsec

1parsec

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(1parsec) can I drop the east leg to make it off balanced?

Just raise or lower the counterweight on the shaft to make the east side of the mount 'heavy'

If the counterweight is on east side of the mount slide the weight down the shaft a bit to make that side heavier.

Or if the scope is on on the east side raise the counterweight up the shaft which will make the scope side heavier.

You'll only need to move it 10-15 mm from the perfect balance point to make enough difference.

Having the east side of the mount heavier ensures the worm-wheel mesh is always in contact and any backlash in the worm-wheel mesh will be a non-issue.

Dave.

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