Huge blunder..

[xelasnave]

Horrors I am afraid to look.

I left the mount running all night to find it as far West as it could go..I guess I was tired and just can not figure how I did not switch it off and, as is my usual practice, disconnect the battery....The camera did not hit the mount but I wonder what has been damaged.
I only now found it as I had gone out to uncover it to let it have a dry out...but I could not check I just came inside to lay down and worry.
Would it have shut down or just kept grinding away?
I do not feel good.
I expect I am the only person who has done this but if you have been thru the same could you tell me what I can expect when I look?
Alex

[Imme]

Hi Alex. Happened to me a while back, was pushing against the pier for about 3 hours from what I could work out.
No damage, I believe the clutches allowed for slip.....probably not great for the mount but it still works fine.

I wouldn’t stress too much

[ChrisV]

Doesn't it have limits set - even default ones?

[Camelopardalis]

The beauty with the simpler mounts is that the worst you can do, besides damage any precious payload, is burn out the motor. But that'd be pretty hard to do...

[glend]

Sounds like a tear down might be needed. If the clutches are gone, or the drive motor burnt out, then for sure there are some $$. And yes, a more modern and expensive, mount would have limit switches to automatically shutdown.

[Atmos]

It depends on how tight you have the clutches, I always tried to tighten them but not too far just in case the camera hit the tripod. If it’s really tight you’ll burn out your motor but if it’s kinda loose then the motor keeps working but everything slips enough that it isn’t working too hard.

[xelasnave]

Thanks to everyone.
I still have not looked it over as the weather is a little drizzly. .. also I am done and need to rest.
So in bed processing something from last night and trying not to worry...
Alex

[leon]

Hey Alex, sorry about any damage, it at all, give it a rest, man go to bed for a few days, you are overloading mate.

Leon

[glend]

Alex, let it go..... The stars will still be there after the full Moon passes. It is easy to burn yourself out.

[xelasnave]

Please dont worry gentlemen I am bullet proof.

It seems ok but seemed like a good opportunity for a pull down and check.

Back together I just wanted it ready for tonight ...you can bet if I am not ready it will be clear...and although the Moon is around I can still have fun.

I wanted to change up to the eight inch f5 tonight but I think I will take it easy and stick with the 80mm.

I think I was doing too much last night as I had the widefield set up running and testing a new 50 mm lens on the chimney as well as going after the cats paw with the 80mm.

But managed to fit the new smart charger and set up the new inverter so it could be checked by someone who knew what they were doing and he actually conected it so it was easier than I expected and saved a lot of time.

The wide field mount had problems as the primary was getting stuck..fortunately I had only used heat glue so a hot knife had it openned in no time which relieved the snag so it works but it needs some more adjustement work.

I will fit the new water tank tomorrow and make sure I have a nap in case it is clear tomorrow night..If clear I may go with the eigth and do some Moon stuff.

Alex

[xelasnave]

I just checked.
Its still cloudy but there is a bit clear...I will see how I feel about it in an hour.
Even with the Moon and moisture it seems ok.
Anyways I have some processing to finish.
Alex

[sharpiel]

How’re you going mate...everything ok with you and mount after your misadventure?

[xelasnave]

Hi Les

I am very well thank you.

I have checked the mount in doors and seems ok but was unable to do a field test last night.

If it does not perform that will be good reason to get a new one ...

so all will end well...I just did not want to miss last night if it was clear because the mount did not perform. Missed it but was not really clear initially.

I went out and it was cloudy so I took a nap but unfortunately I did not wake up until 2am and it was then most foggy...so I went back to sleep for a couple of hours.

I would like to get a belt drive eq6 and just man up and stop saying its too heavy for me these days.

Alex

[sharpiel]

maybe make a three wheeled stable dolly to move a mount around. Large wheels are best over rougher terrain. I often find discarded prams with (I estimate about) 10” wheels on curb side cleanups. Could make life easier for you.

[xelasnave]

Its just the initial set up getting it to the car.
When set up here (Tabby) I leave things up for two weeks.
Anyways the mount is ok after 1.5 hours running tonight.
Love the Moon light as I dont trip over stuff.
Got the 80mm and the widefield going so I hope to get something before it fogs over.
Alex