RA Drive

[blinky]

I have the HEQ5 mount with both motors. I have noticed that the RA mototr does not seem to be working correctly. I can feel it 'ticking' etc but things are not staying steady, they are drifting. After a while it seems to sort itself but its a bit annoying. Last night I had a play with the motor clutch dis-engaged and there seems to be a bit of play when I manually turn the RA screw before the mount moves. Is this something that can be sorted i.e. tightening up somthing or do I just live with it?

Craig

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

You appear to have too much backlash which could be either the drive gear mesh, worm engagement or worm endfloat. Which screw were you turning manually? Mine has no screw externally, so I assume that you have taken it to bits to some extent.

Captain Chaos

[blinky]

No I meant the normal bit that you turn to get it to move in RA. The bit the motor rotates. Are any of the issues you mention fixable? easily I mean.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

With the HEQ5, there is no "normal" bit that you turn, you just press the button and it moves. Are you sure its a HEQ5 and not the EQ5?

Captain Chaos

[blinky]

I have been wondering what it was since I got it. Well thats it then, it must be an EQ5. There are knobs to turn but I have the motors attached so I disconnect the clutch when I want to manually control the scope. So how do I fix it?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Don't know mate, haven't even seen one, but somebody here will know all about them. Can you post a picture of it so that somebody can tell you and everybody else what it is?

Captain Chaos

[geppetto]

Blinky

If it is an EQ5 the pop over to this site and have a good read through the

improvements the guy makes to the mount.

In there are instructions on how to adjust the worm drives.

http://www.astronomyboy.com/cg5/

[John]

Sounds like you have an EQ5 in which case it might be just that the RA clutch needs to be adjusted, or tightened on the spindle it's attached to (needs an Allen key to do this).

The manual for fitting the drives to an EQ5 might help - heres a link to it: http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/documents/41.pdf

Hope thats some help,

John.

[blinky]

I dont think it is the clutch that needs adjusted, 'cos when I unlock the clutch I can turn the pole about 5MM either way before the mount moves, I am thinking that something needs tightened. I will take a look at the website to see if it has any tips.

[Ambermile]

The shaft that goes through to the slomo cable has a worm on it that is held against the wheel by tension. This tension is adjusted by the two Allen bolts underneath that hold the worm housing to the body of the mount. If the worm is not meshed properly with the wheel then there will be a gap. This will cause the backlash. Loosen the two Allen bolts a little and press the assembly against the wheel. Tighten the bolts again at the same time. If this does not fix it then it is end float in the worm which is a little more involved.

Arthur

[Astroman]

Ambermile's right. I had the same symptoms with my 4.5" solar scope until I got in there with an allen wrench. Worked great after that.

[blinky]

Thanks guys, I will give tightening the bolts a try. I had a look at the site that gepetto suggested, but with my mechanical skills there is no way I am going to even attempt anything on that page :nono:

[geppetto]

Blinky

Didn't want to suggest you rip the mount to bits but a look around those instructions gives you

an insight into how the mount works and what adjusts what and why:D

[blinky]

Yeah, It sure does. Never realised howmany bits and pieces were inside 'em. Will try and tighten it all up, otherwise I think I can live with it. Till I get an EQ6

[FLO]

Is this a good forum or what 8)

[radioactive]

Craig have Pmd you a little info on that particular Mount I hope you personally will find useful

Regards