Dew heater cord wrapped around AZ GTI mount last night😱

[Andrew stuart]

Ok stupid error, dew heater cord wrapped good and proper around mount. In particular azimuth. Only noticed when it stopped going to target, probably 10 seconds then switched off quickly. Any body experienced this and possible motor damage. Need reassurance please👍

[symmetal]

You don't say what mount, but almost all will use stepper motors to drive the axis. Stepper motors operate in a stalled condition all the time with the current limited by the stepper driver circuit. Physically preventing the stepper motor from turning won't cause any issues so you will be fine. 🙂

Alan

[Andrew stuart]

Thanks Alan, I put it in the title. Skywatcher AZ GTI. Mind put at rest so back to the tennis !

[symmetal]

Sorry Stuart, I missed the mount in the title. Also I believe the AZ GTI uses servo motors with shaft encoders and not stepper motors so my previous reply doesn't apply. Servo motors use DC motors so stall current is potentially an issue, but I assume the motor drive will have current limiting circuitry to avoid any stall issues. Anyway, even if not, 10 seconds at stall won't be a problem.

😊

Alan