Play in dec axis

[Hypernova]

I have finally got my tube rings to mount the C100ED that I bought from FLO at SGL6, the mount I put it on is a SkyScan 2001, basically an older version of the EQ3-2 and without a dovetail clamp.

The mount seems to take the scope quite happily but I have noticed a fair amount of movement in the dec axis when the clutch is tightened. This proved to be a right royal pain when I was attempting to view and image Saturn last night as it kept slipping away when I touched the focuser It also introduces a large wobble that takes an age to die down.

What can I do to help minimize the movement and make the image steady once more?

[Hypernova]

I have had another look at the mount and the amount of play seems to be in the region of 1 degree according to the dec scale. Not a huge amount but enough to throw Saturn off the chip of an SPC900 webcam @ f/9 or f/18

[nightfisher]

there is a central nut without flats, like a large ali collar that is locked with 3 small grub screws, if you were to loosen the grub screws then nip up the collar that might help a fair bit, you have to remove the setting circles to get access, i will see if i have a link to a website that has lots of help and pics.....think its called astroboy or something like that

[nightfisher]

hee is the link...........with luck!

Astronomy Boy: CG-5 Mount Improvements

[Cornelius Varley]

Play in the DEC & RA axis of the EQ3-2 can be removed by following the instructions in the last paragraph of the EQ3-2 dual axis drive installation instruction sheet EQ3-2 dual axis drives

Peter

[Hypernova]

Thanks very much for the advice along with the link. I will have a gander at my mount to see how the bracket is removed and then get a look in at the innards to see if I can locate the ali collar you speak of

[Hypernova]

Got it sorted now thanks to Pete

Loosening and then tightening those hex screws and that one set screw that hold the dec worm axis in tight seems to have done the trick, the slo-mo action is a little stiff but that might turn out to be beneficial. I can't see myself using the dec axis too much when tracking anyway if the polar alignment isn't too far off!!!

Thanks again and I'll see how I get on using the mount now, hopefully it is substantial enough to carry on using it with the C100, although I can see an upgrade coming as soon as I get some more wonga coming in