Need help tracking the Sun

[thenews24]

I apologize upfront if this topic has come up a few times. Did some searching but couldn't find specifics on my problem.

My mount:

Meade DS-2000 Series with #497 Autostar for Coronado PST, SolarMAx 40, 60

My problem:

It is horrible at tracking the sun. I'm not sure if it's just because it's a relatively cheap mount, or my tracking procedure is wrong.

The manual says (after all setup procedures), to navigate to "Targets", "Astronomical", slew to the Sun, press "Enter", hear the beep and it will start tracking. Well, I do this and it does start tracking, but the Sun goes out of view within 5 minutes.

I personally believe that this procedure is wrong, and that "astronomical" "target" tracking is using the sidereal rate, therefore tracking to fast.

How can I get the scope to track slower for a solar day, instead of the sidereal rate for some distant star?

I have heard of trying a mock alignment, but have no idea how to do this.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Peter Drew]

The difference between sidereal rate and solar rate is too small to be an issue with tracking, I think there must be some other factor with your set up.

[thenews24]

hm, yeah you're right. 4 minute difference between sidereal and solar day shouldn't be causing the sun to move so quick out of view in my case.

[Ender Of Days]

Is your mount level ?

Just looked at mine and one of the legs must have been getting smaller over the last few months !

Can you calibrate the motors etc ?

JJ..

[thenews24]

yep, level and aligned north before every start up. i think its just a crapy mount. as for calibration, nothing i can do for that from the handset.

[iwatkins]

Scopes well balanced including with EPs/cameras? I tend to forget and my solar imaging sometimes suffers.

Cheers

Ian