In a message dated 6/30/01 3:09:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

<<
Bruce - There was an exchange of emails a few months ago regarding the
same problem between myself, Doc G and a few others (Not sure whether
it was here or the LX200 group). I found that both the RA & DEC
pivots on my LX200 were effectively seized. It was impossible for the
spring to push the worm back into a "backlash free mesh". Loosening
both grub screws (with the application of heat to melt the Meade
supplied 'Loktite') then lubricating and readjusting to remove all
free play, then allowed the springs to work as designed.

Following a new PEC training session, I've effectively got a scope
that now tracks!!

DEC backlash altered from 50 to 13, RA runs smoother - now all I need
is some decent clear nights again <G>.
>>
Hi Steve,

Yep, I fully agree. When the pivots bind up at all, it makes for a MESS when
it comes to getting a decent seating of the worm/worm gear. On every unit
I've had, I found that the pivots were ether too tight or too loose.
Naturally, the tight ones, I did just as you say. A hair of loosening,
lubricating, rocking it a bunch of times, then tightening until it *just* has
no slop, is the way to go.

I recently found that on my RA gear, it was definitely mounted off center,
which was my problem all along that was causing my 'goto' errors that made me
make the writeup that I have on my page for '"finding the 'sweet spot' on the
gears". I messed with the position of the mounting of the worm gear and got
the error down to nearly nothing in RA. (Nearly NO 'high spot' or 'low spot'
now. ) But naturally, I also re-cleaned, lubed, and adjusted the pivot points
at the same time. Any time I have to take the bottom of the scope off, I
now check that, because it sure doesn't take much in the way of grime to get
in there and mess the pivot tension up!

Bottom line, I agree with what you say, completely. However, it's a shame
that Meade ever assembles the units so that there is so much of a 'high spot'
and 'low spot' in the first place!

Thanks for passing along your info, Steve, and clear skies to you.

Bruce

P.S. I'm STILL going to increase the tension .... again ... on the
compression spring on my R.A. unit! <G>

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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