Mystery bit?

[Debo]

Hi, I've been sorting out my old Topic 80mm F15 and it's equatorial mount has an odd attachment and for the life me I can't figure why it's there and what it's supposed to do. 

The shaft is fixed to the main body and the end part just freely turns. Anyone got a clue ? 🤔

[John]

I think it is the clutch that is used when a certain type of motor drive is fitted to the RA axis. This thread from 2019 may shed some more light on this:

 

[Debo]

2 hours ago, John said:

I think it is the clutch that is used when a certain type of motor drive

Thanks John, that's the answer 👍

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @Debo.

As @John says, it is the clutch lever when the RA motor is fitted to the mount.

Many years ago I had the Astro Engineering table top EQ mount. It could be fitted to my
photo/video tripod as well if I did not use the supplied table top/triangular base.

Edited December 19, 2021 by Philip R