EQ3-2 Declination Control Worm Gear Jumpy

[Rigel-7]

Following a very short spell out tonight I found that the DEC control worm gear was a bit jumpy during use. The scope and mount are brand new but in theory I have balanced it according to the instructions.

Is this normal, could the scope not be balanced or is there a problem with the mount ?

[Simms]

Hi Rigel,

are you talking about using the EQ3-2 with the slow-mo controls (handles) or with the motors (if purchased)?

I found when I had my EQ3-2 that sometimes there was a little `slack` needed taking up when turning the knobs before the scope started to move - ditto with the motors - however I just tightened the worm gears and it seemed to solve the problem - its all depends on the magnitude of the `jumpiness` as to whether you should send it back or just live with it...

[Parus major]

Following a very short spell out tonight I found that the DEC control worm gear was a bit jumpy during use. The scope and mount are brand new but in theory I have balanced it according to the instructions.

Is this normal, could the scope not be balanced or is there a problem with the mount ?

Have a look at this linky -

http://stargazerslounge.com/discussions-scopes-whole-setups/171668-skywatcher-150pl-owners-tips-mods.html#post2112349

[Rigel-7]

Thanks for the help, I do not have any motors. When turning the dec there is a noticable judder which you can feel (let alone see). This seems to be only with the scope attached.

[Rigel-7]

Thanks for the link Parus - looks like it may be worth a try.... I might give the shop a ring that I bought it from though as well as it is only a couple of weeks old. I thought naively that the scope and mount would have been calibrated when sold: However the collimation was way off, the rings were way off the balance point and one of the feet was so loose on the tripod it was coming off. None of this is serious but the dec worm worries me as I do want to attach motors and have a stab at some photos.

[Parus major]

It sounds to me like the tightening bolts are too tight/ the grub screw isn't tight enough. It's nothing to worry about and the mount is user serviceable which is why there's tools.

[Parus major]

Try getting the grub a smidge tighter, not too much and see if that fixes it. If too much pressure is needed then loosen the tightening bolts by a metric hair's breadth.