Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Mount Disappointment.

[Guest]

I've had my Sky-Watcher Skyliner 200P Dobsonian since just before the lock down started.

I adjusted the tension on the Azimuth to be what I thought was okay, not too tight and no 'slop' between the base layers. 

This evening, I stripped the base plates apart so that I could replace the PTFE washer with the 'milk carton' mod, 6 of them in fact. 

I was surprised to see how much wear there was on the 3 PTFE pad between the base plates (see photos below). Have I had the bolt too tight? It never really felt that smooth. 

Anyway, I've now got the roughly 3" diameter plastic milk carton washers in, all 6 of them. I've got more spare. I've tightened it up to about the same tension as previously. 

Doing a bit of experimentation with a set of digital spring balances, before it required around 2.9lbs to slew the telescope round, but after the mod it only requires 2.2lbs. Not exactly scientific... 

[John]

Getting these things to work right for you is all about experimentation

It's difficult to judge if you have got it "right" until you actually use the thing under the stars.

Pay £1000 for an Orion Optics dob and you will still need to tweak and adjust things.

 

 

 

 

[Ronclarke]

I think a Lazy Susan is the answer!!

[Guest]

Seeing that there's only 3 PTFE pads, does anyone else think more would help? They measure 25mmx18mmx3mm.

[Chefgage]

On 30/05/2020 at 21:57, Ronclarke said:

I think a Lazy Susan is the answer!!

Yep this is what I did with mine.