SW NEQ6 Rail Kit Fitted

[Z3roCool]

Hi there, my NEQ6 decided to bend the altitude bolts the other month. Decided to buy the upgraded bolts but still felt that at 52 degrees the bolt was just not allowing easy Polar Alignment due to the angle the bolt and the mount head bar are at when at high altitudes. At my Dad's place it was not to bad as a lot further South and bolt and bar are at a greater angle allowing better leverage for adjustment . Since starting Narrow Band imaging it has allowed me to get at home which is further North and then the problems started. 

Looked into a wedge but the cost was silly! Very nice bit of engineering but too much I felt at just under half the price of the mount again. Found some details about the Rail Kit that helps with the issue I had. Martin Pyott has a great You Tube video online showing the process of replacing this, a fairly simple job but I am not at all mechanically minded so the video really helped!

The kit itself is fairly expensive for what it is (A small piece of metal with a cylinder on it that slides back and forth). The fact that I had no way of getting similar made up meant the price to me was acceptable so I purchased from Dark Frame Optics.

The swap out took me about an hour altogether and went really well. The precise adjustment now of the rear altitude bolt can be done with one finger, even under heavy load. This has brought my mount back to life and fixed an issue I feel is the major downfall and engineering fail of SkyWatcher for this mount at high altitudes. I highly recommend this if you are having issues with bendy bolts etc...

Below are a few images from the fitting.

1. Removal of the Caps was fairly easy. Heat up with hairdryer and slip a very thin knife (Or Similar) Then get credit card under and work around. Pops of pretty easy. Marking up the 0 and 90 degree marks also so restoring the caps in correct position. The kit does supply replacement caps in case you do destroy the originals when removing.

2. Removal of main mount from base. There are a couple of washers that need to go back in the correct place.

3.

4. Damage from rear altitude bolt. Used to take real care when adjusting but this mount is real soft!

5. Grub screws. These need releasing before removing the mount head. They tighten up to stop any lateral slack in the joint when put back together.

6. View inside base with both the altitude bolts installed.

7. Rail Kit installed. It sits at the bottom of the base and the rear altitude bolt sits in a recess in the rear of the cylinder. The cylinder slides up and down the rail as you adjust the bolts.

8. Rear Altitude Bolt installed. 

The mount head then goes back on making sure the arm part goes above the cylinder so when you adjust the cylinder takes the hit from the bolt. It really does make adjustment so much easier. Polar Alignment is now a dream to do. I was getting Excellent PA with SharpCap but very quickly got drift due to the mount damage I believe. PA now sticks and can go unguided for 5+ minutes easy.

Thought I would make a post on this as seen a few members have fitted but not that much information on.

Cheers,

Tom.