HEQ5 advice needed

[carastro]

I have had my HEQ5 for some years now and it has served me well (It is NOT belt modded).  

However I have noticed recently when using Polemaster, that when my star slews along the circle back to Park (in the Polemaster routine), that it moves away from the circle a short distance particularly at the start, and then suddenly jumps back onto the circle and then stays there for the rest of the duration.  This has happened on about 3 occasions now, and each time with a fresh set up. 

I was showing Davey T when I was imaging at his house last week.

I am presuming this is some sort of problem with the inner workings/cogs/ motors etc 

I have no skills whatsoever with taking stuff apart, so if anything needs doing I will have to find some-one to help.

But since my images seem to come out OK, I am wondering whether I should be bothered about it.  

So can any of you experts out there cast an opinion please.  Is it something I should be worrying about, I have never taken it apart to remove grease or anything.  Or would a belt mod be the best option if it causes me any problems.

Many thanks for your advice every-one.  

Carole 

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by carastro

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Any moving parts, will over time, and with the help of friction, lubricants drying out, bearings wearing etc. and maybe a constant vertical weight, may well produce slight dead\not spots etc.

If it was my mount, I'd probably just strip, clean and\or replace bearings, re-lubricate, as per (I think) AstroBabys self help guides.

And while I was at, I would probably also do the belt mod..

[carastro]

Quote

If it was my mount, I'd probably just strip, clean and\or replace bearings, re-lubricate, as per (I think) AstroBabys self help guides.

And while I was at, I would probably also do the belt mod..

Thanks I had a feeling that was going to be the response, but as said = no skills.  I know about Astrobaby's guide, but would not dare to do it myself. 

Is there any-one around that does Mount servicing, the only one I know was Graham on the Shed who had to give it up.

Carole 

Edited January 28, 2020 by carastro

[Dr_Ju_ju]

You maybe able to ask FLO\the supplier you bought it of ??  and then there's Dark Frame https://www.darkframeoptics.com/product/service-60-skywatcher   don't know how good reliable they are mind....

If you lived closer, I'd offer to have a look, as I said there are plenty of strip down guides etc....

[carastro]

OK, well I took the plunge and FLO have kindly Rowan Belt modded it for me.

Just waiting for it to come back.

Carole 

[spillage]

I am sure you will more than happy when it comes back. I have only this weekend stripped and rebuilt my neq6 which is a bit more fiddly when it come to installing the belt mod. The heq5 mounts are so much easier.

[carastro]

Thanks, I am hoping this will serve as a "service" and add a few more years to the life of the mount. 

Carole 

Edited February 24, 2020 by carastro

[ApophisAstros]

39 minutes ago, carastro said:

Thanks, I am hoping this will serve as a "service" and add a few more years to the life of the mount. 

Carole 

Have you got a ETA , for it?

Roger

[carastro]

Do you mean Estimated time of arrival?

FLO have dispatched it so could even be tomorrow.  Were you worried about next DSC?

I sent it 2 1/2 weeks ago, I thought now was a good time to be without my mount with the weather, Moon Phase. being stuck in Bortle 8 etc.

Carole 

Edited February 24, 2020 by carastro

[carastro]

Yup, just had further E mail it should be here tomorrow.

Carole