Belt mod for HEQ5 worth it?

[LewisM]

Been hemming and hawing over whether to get the Rowan belt mod for the HEQ5 or not. I adjusted all discernible backlash out of it ala Astro-Baby (bought new from Andrews), and it gives no "fight" in MaxIM or PHD guiding whatsoever - does the calibration routines first time every time. Graphs aren't too bad (not SXP smooth, but not sawtooth either). The gears make minimal noise in slewing as well, as I did adjust the worms and the motors, so coffee grinder this one isn't.


Is there any advantage to the belt mod if there is minimal backlash? I take it the mod is essentially non-reversible once those gears are off the pinions too (short on buying replacement motor sets).


I'm inclined toward leave well enough alone, but perhaps buy one of the kits now and stash it for later

[garymck]

Lewis,
I have a belt modded HEQ5.

Pre mod I measured around 30 arc secs total PE.

Post mod this was reduced to 12 arc secs total.

I have seen similar performance improvements on 2 other HEQ5's.

I have seen guiding figures as low as .6 arc secs RMS - seeing dependant of course, pretty rare in Geelong where most nights are crap.

Hope this helps
Gary

[LewisM]

Well, just bought the kit and spares from Sidereal.

[Sunfish]

+1. The heq5 belt mod helps greatly. The guiding is around 0.6 . The slew is quiet and smooth. PhD works much more smoothly all round.

[LewisM]

We’re the motor gears hard to remove? I did buy the tool and watched the videos on YT and it seems some are difficult

[garymck]

If you bought the gear puller, then it is a piece of cake. The motors are really easy to remove - takes much less time to do the mod than on an EQ6.

Gary

[Sunfish]

Agree with Gary. Very easily done with the puller. The instructions are clear.
If you need the gear puller I have one I could post.

[Pepper]

Mine popped off easily with a pair of pointy pliers behind it.
They will go back on as easy as they come off.

[glend]

Lewis, I would leave it alone if your happy with your mounts performance. There are always people who will want to fiddle with things, thinking they will improve it. I did the Rowan mod on my NEQ6, as well as the bearing changes, and yes it sounded less like a coffee grinder but not sure the money spent was an investment or an indulgence.

[doppler]

I used 2 flat screwdrivers, one on each side to leaver the gears off. I did this with the motors still in the mount, popped straight off.
Rick

[LewisM]

I do agree with that sentiment Glen, hence me asking is it worth it.


I will continue as-is, but keep the kit just in case. If I decide to sell it, I am sure the kit will sell rather easily.


Sidereal posted it all off this afternoon, so should have it possibly this week.

[LewisM]

Thanks, but I did order the puller with the kit, as well as 2 spare belts.

[LewisM]

Which is exactly the issue I had with an HEQ5 years ago - one night, Dec simply stopped moving, despite the motor whirring away. The peening on the gear to shaft was poor. Tasco happily replaced the motor assembly gratis though.


I am definitely inclined to use permanent loctite in future.