Options for a Northern Hemisphere C8?

[Malcolm]

Asking for a friend, what if anything can be done with it?

[Wavytone]

The type of motor in it depends on what vintage it is.

For example the old 70' and 80's orange-tube ones had an AC mains synchronous clock motor, it is possible to get a replacement that runs the right way.

[Sunfish]

You can always replace the motor with a new stepper motor and Onstep controller if you are keen on electronics (or the just the controller ) as the old motor controller may not run the opposite direction. The advantage being it can be guided among other things but it can be a minefield with older bases and motors.

I have done this for interest and meanwhile have the scope on a HEQ5. What is the model of the fork base?

[mental4astro]

Can also defork the OTA and put it on another mount, GEM or alt az.

Alex.

[Malcolm]

Anyone have any ideas on where to source the correct rotation motors?

[bojan]

Sometimes those small AC motors can be made to rotate in opposite direction - there is a small plastic cog that needs to be plasced in alternative position.
You need to open it and see what's inside...


And, of course, it is possible to just mount the motor axle other way around, but this depends on what kind of mtor you have.
And of course, this means the motor needs to be dismantled.
Could you post a picture of that's inside your mount? Is it this (https://astromart.com/auctions/astromart-auctions/telescope-catadioptric/show/celestron-orange-super-c8-completely-loaded-9215)?
BTW, ~40 years ago I removed one of the motors like this one (http://www.astronomyasylum.com/c8syncronousmotors.html) for a friend..
(electrically, motors were in series, working together.. probably to be easily configurable for 110V or 220VAC 60Hz) and I added 60Hz sinousoidal generator for another motor (which I rewounded so it was running at 3VAC).
One motor was perfectly sufficient for tracking.

[Wavytone]

OP please try to post a photo of the motor showing any markings on it, there are people here who may be able to identify it and find a solution.


NB there is a fundamental issue as to whether it is an old synchronous motor powered from AC mains (like an old electric wall clock) or whether it uses a low voltage stepping motor.

[Malcolm]

I haven't actually laid eyes on the scope yet. Now the owner says all he wants me to do is collimate it, and says he's in the market for something else. Thanks for the replies. :-)