Dismantling an EQ3-2

[tony.673]

Hi,

With the light nights, I have decided to strip and re-grease my EQ3-2. I have looked at Astronomy Boys website as he has done this with a CG5 which I thought was basically the same. It isn't.

I can't seem to get past the first hurdle of separating the RA from the DEC housing, unless this is a press fit unit there doesn't seem to be any nuts or bolts holding them together.

Has anybody stripped one of these mounts and if so any tips.

Tony

[RichieP]

I recently did this myself and it's not immediately obvious how to seperate the RA from the Dec housing. Here is what you need to do. Apoligies for the vagueness of the instructions, I am no engineer!

Firstly take firm hold of the polar scope housing by the alightnment screws and twist anti clockwise. The housing will unscrew from the RA housing, and after it is removed you can then remove the RA scale by just pulling it out.

What you should see then is the base of the hollow RA shaft which is locked into place by an aluminium locking disk.

This disk has three tiny allen screws in its side which need to be loosened before the disk can be removed. To gain access to these screws, remove the RA scale locking screw. It's hole allows you access to the allen screws if you rotate the RA access to line them up.

Once loosened, the locking disk can be removed. I am not sure what tool you need to do this, it has two holes on the face of the disk. I used a pair of dividers!

After that you should be able to lift the DEC housing, with the RA shaft attached, out of the RA housing.

Let me know of that isn't clear, I will upload some photos when I get a chance.

Another tip - when dismantling the DEC housing, undo the bottom bolt rather then the top bolt.

Richard

[tony.673]

Hi Richard,

Many thanks for that detail. I had seen this rear locking disc but couldn't seem to move it (didn't want to apply too much force) I hadn't noticed the grub screws around the side. I have left this request for info on a number of forums and, to date, yours is the only reply.

I will now follow Astronomy Boys example and do a fully documented strip and rebuild of the EQ3-2 so that I can post on other forums.

Tony