Just watched a YouTube clip of someone demonstrating how to adjust backlash in a Skywatcher EQ6-R Mount ( attached snapshots from YouTube )
They just used a small Allen key and adjusted a screw roughly a eighth to quarter turn on a screw between the drive pulleys
Has anyone seen this YouTube clip or adjusted backlash in their EQ6-R Mount
I have 2 of these mounts and yes they do suffer from backlash but not as severe as my old HEQ5
I welcome comments and or advice whether this procedure actually works !!
That looks like a belt tension adjustment, which is one backlash cause on these, the other being the normal worm to ring gear adjustment. If the belt is too loose it will certainly add to the backlash.
Paul
Jumped on CN and found a more detailed post on how to reduce backlash on the EQ6-R Mount. Significantly more detail than the YouTube clip
My mount performs quite well with no big excursions in DEC so I’m not going to fiddle with it until it decides to play up, although a minor tweak may help
I would suggest gently rocking the telescope in dec, if you can feel play there then it is something in the ring gear and worm/worm carrier, I reckon that is the first one to check as you can check that independent of the belt adjustment, whenever you reckon any adjustment at all is worthwhile.
I can't comment on the EQ6R, but the Orion Atlas I use came pre built with plenty of backlash adjusted in to both axes. It was in the worm to ring gear mesh in my case, though I have never looked at belt tension, I actually should do that.
Paul
After watching the YouTube video I just checked both RA and Dec drive pulleys and belts on my EQ6-R in Sydney and gave them both a work out ( speed 2 up to speed 9 back and forth, stop start etc.. ) with Full payload on board and no close up visual sign of backlash , belt flex or vibration. Solid and smooth operation on both RA and Dec in all scenarios
