Clicking in CGX Mount

[joeman]

Hi,
I have a CGX Celestron mount and I'm getting clicking in the RA gear assembly.
I got enough confidence to take off plate last night and made a video of it.

https://youtu.be/qolqnLuR8Os

Any suggestions or ideas on the cause and how to resolve?

Thanks

Joe

[glend]

Check to see if the lock screw is tight on the motor pulley, it sounds like the pulley might be slipping over the lock screw. You will need to remove the belt to access the hole where the lock screw is recessed into in the pulley. That is step one.

Step two, assuming the pulley is locked to the shaft, is to run it with the belt off. Does the motor pulley turn?

There have been a few problems with the drive motor transmission. The drive motor goes through a small transmission unit to the belt pulley shaft. So going back to the drive pulley, if it is not turning with the belt off, and you think the motor is turning, then it is likely that the transmission has stripped a gear. You can get replacements from Celestron, but you probably have a warranty issue.
I am pretty familiar with these drives. I will send you my mobile number by PM to discuss further if you wish.

[joeman]

Thanks.

I'll try those steps.

I'll let you know how I fair.

[joeman]

Nearly took me a year to find the time! Thanks Glend.

I've since applied some lubricant to the brass gear (what the worm drive runs) and it seems have disappeared. :)

Thanks :)

Joe

[glend]

Did you adjust anything?

[joeman]

I checked the RA, (small allen screw 2mm), but left play at what it was - about what is shown in the video.

DEC - no ticking, but some large sound when skewing at fastest speed. Decided since it has had the same lack of maintenance as RA, I thought it would be good to check it out. A LOT of play in it, a lot more than the RA, so I turned the small (2mm) allen screw about 4 revolutions CW to reduce the play.
I did some videos showing how much play it has now.
It didn't get rid of the sound you get at fastest skew, but I can live with that, sound. It is more annoying. Doesn't impact photography.

Thanks :)