Wanted: Autostar 497 + LXD Motors or DS Motors

[netwolf]

Hi All,

Ok time to Robo the Dob, am looking for a used Autostar 497 + LXD Motors, DS Motors would also do but require a bit more work.

I also need some sugestions on retrofitting this to my Dob, i am thinking simplest would be a Flywheel Belt drive arrangement. Could also go for a threaded Rod but this is beyond my skill level. Anyone out there can suggest where i could source a readymade or cusotm made bit FLywheel plus belt.
I am thinking of something like this for Alt and Az.
http://homepages.accnorwalk.com/tddi/tech2000/morn-ddrsys.GIF

or Soemthing like this a threaded rod/homemade worm wheel method.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=atm&Number=976835&Forum=All_Forums&Words=robodob&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=749502&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post976835

Thanks and Regard

[IanW]

You should be able to source a suitable belt and wheel from a power transmission manufacturer (check yellow pages in your city for listings for companies that sell toothed belts, they can advise you on a suitable unit).

Finding LXD55/75 motors is the hard part. I can tell you that Bill Vorce (telescope warehouse in the States) doesn't have any at present as I was in contact with him the other day regarding their availability as I need one to fix an LXD55 mount. He does have the 497 Autostar with DS motor kit for around $150 USD plus shipping (look for scopehead on eBay).

Custom made worm wheels cost a flipping bomb out here unless you know someone who's got a lathe, indexing head and a lot of patience! Bill Vorce has genuine Byers worm/wheel sets from around 500 USD, or there's Beacon Hill Telescopes in the UK that can supply a suitable unit. There are alternatives such as various friction drives that are cheaper to implement.

[netwolf]

Hi IanW,

Thanks for the information i will check out scopehead. I have looked at the telscope warehous website and noticed only DS motors. But as you say i may not be able to get LXD ones. So may have to make do with DS motors. For a worm i found a new cheap source with some credibility. Gototelscopes in America is now doing cheaper HDPE gears. But i am not sure what it would cost for the worm and the gear.
http://4dw.net/svdgoto/gears.htm

Regards
Netwolf
PS: i think there was some here advertising DS motors also. I will do a search and see if still available.