Rowan Belt on my HEQ5 - amazing difference

[Muzfox (Murray)]

So I haven't been happy with my guiding and had a real hard time getting rid of backlash and oscillation in my HEQ5 by adjusting the gears etc. I bit the bullet and did the Rowan belt mod. I am working to get everything right for a future scope in the 900mm range so tracking is important to me.

Some tips for those thinking of this, get the extraction tool, makes removing the small gear a breeze. Also the instructions don't mention this but the shaft on the idler has a flat, slowly rotate that till you find where it just slides in, that actually took me a while to figure out.

Initial test just slewing in the house shows what an awesome difference it makes to the noise. No more grinding, very clean and quiet sounding.

I've had 2 clear nights now, the first night I ran a calibration for PHD2 and then started guiding just to see the results. Screenshot attached I think say it for itself, previous guiding I was getting 1.5 to 1.8rms. I picked various parts of the sky using the same calibration and guiding was great everywhere.

Last night I did 4 hours on a target and averaged around 0.5 to 0.7rms, seeing was okay, humidity was not bad, moon was bright. Imaged right over the meridian and there was no difference either side. I did a straight balance on my mount, not heavy in any direction.

Another full clear night coming this Saturday, plan to add another 5-6 hours and will show the full result.

My mount is only 12 months old but I wish I had of done this from day one. For me it makes a huge difference. I run a 72ed Scope with 071mc pro, auto focuser, filter drawer, heavier 190mm guide scope and 120mm cam, pegasus power box advance, dual dew heaters, everything mounted on the scope so not exactly light, but still only 1 counterweight needed.

[Astronut07 (Ben)]

Murray

That’s great to hear mate!
I too upgraded my HEQ5Pro several months ago, best thing I did also.
I was out last night & I had very similar figures to yourself

Clears skies

[Astro_Girl (Cheryl)]

Hi there,

I have been considering a Rowan belt mod on my HEQ5PRO mount.

However after a great night out imaging last night where my numbers were really low I'm thinking i might hold off at the moment.

Its nice to hear that its working out great for you guys!

Cheers,
Cheryl

[RyanJones]

Welcome to the dark side Murray

I would recommend the belt mod to anyone and everyone. It’s one of the biggest instant improvements you can make to these mounts closely followed by better bearings. Congrats !

Ryan

[Astronut07 (Ben)]

Originally Posted by RyanJones

Welcome to the dark side Murray

I would recommend the belt mod to anyone and everyone. It’s one of the biggest instant improvements you can make to these mounts closely followed by better bearings. Congrats !

Ryan

Ryan

When you mentioned bearings, did you replace bearings in your mount?
If so,do you recommend replacing & if so,what bearings were they?
Sorry Murray to deviate from your original post

Cheers
Ben

[Muzfox (Murray)]

Originally Posted by Astronut07

Ryan

When you mentioned bearings, did you replace bearings in your mount?
If so,do you recommend replacing & if so,what bearings were they?
Sorry Murray to deviate from your original post

Cheers
Ben

All good mate I'm interested too 😁👍

[RyanJones]

Yes I did replace them in my mount. I used SKF bearings but any good quality bearings will beat what is in there from factory. I did the sets separately starting with the RA main bearings then moved onto the worm drive ones. Just remember though that I’m running 10kg plus on my poor little mount so that weight compounded the roughness of my old bearings. If yours runs smooth guide lines then I wouldn’t worry about it until it becomes a problem.

[Astronut07 (Ben)]

Ryan

Cheers mate I have a bearing place located near me
I will have to remember to change them out when I do a service on the mount

Cheers