Bruce,
I took a peek under the hood as it were and I found exactly what I
expected to find..only with no way to fix it. The entire Motor and Worm
gear assembly is floating on it own anchored by a spring to help it ride
out the irregularities in the main drive gear. The problem is that while
the spring is supposed to allow motion up and down it also allows the
entire floating mechanism to move a little sideways thereby producing the
2.5 minute shift. Unless I get a really strong spring and replace it,
which seems to be a daunting task, i cant see anyway out of this. Any
advice or do you suggest I go for the spring?
Thanks,
Adi


> In a message dated 5/29/01 4:42:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
>
> << The only problem
> I face, and I wrote to the list before with no reply, is that in RA when
> the lock is engaged, the scope can still go halfway between 0 and the
> first small division which I think is approx 2.5 minutes. I am curious as
> to if this kind of play is normal. >>
>
> Adi,
>
> I can't address the 'goto' problem because I have never used my scope in
> alt-az mode. However, the 'slop' in RA that you describe is definitely not
> good! If this is an older scope and not under warrantee, I suggest you
> remove the screws holding the bottom of the scope on .... an easy task.. and
> take a peek inside at the RA drive motor assembly. While looking, move the
> scope physically in Azimuth, just as you do for creating your failure.
> Look, under those conditions, for why you have this excess movement. Chances
> are, it's either being caused by loose screws holding the drive gear/worm
> assembly in place, excess looseness in the worm mounting to the drive gear
> assembly, or in having insufficient tension on the spring that is pushing the
> worm into the worm gear.
>
> If it's loose screws, then simply tighten them with a hex head driver. If
> it's either of the other two conditions, you would want to remove the two
> screws just mentioned, and lift the gearbox out so that you can make the
> proper repairs. If it's none of the above, then you could most likely see
> what is causing the problem, whatever it might be. Then, you'd at least have
> a good idea when searching the archives or for checking back for other ideas.
>
> For what it's worth.
>
> Bruce Johnston
>
> Bruce Johnston Computing
> <http://members.aol.com/bjohns7764>
> Internet home for "SuperFix" and "MegaFix" image processing software.
> Personal page: <http://members.aol.com/ccdastro>
>

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