Argo NAVIS!!! :) -> small problem

[DJVege]

OK!

First things first! MY ARGO ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!!! :sadeyes::(:):D:eyepop:

However, small problem!

On the RA axis, no matter how hard/tight I screw the the RA gear on, after a few test movements of the mount head in the RA axis in both directions, the gear comes loose...??? The DEC axis is fine because the screws secure it in position.

Anyone got some ideas?

I've emailed Gary as well, but seeing it's already Friday night, thought I'd post my problem here, too, as Gary will most probably only answer next week.

Thanks.

[Tannehill]

Can you post a close-up pic of the problematic encoder coupling?

s

[gary]

Hi DJVege,

Wildcard Innovations service is exceptional in that regard.
You only posted 12 minutes ago and I have already given a
preliminary response.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd.

[DJVege]

Wow! You rock Gary! Replying to your email now!

[madtuna]

now that sort of after sales service makes me want to rush out and buy one!:D

[DJVege]

Ok, thought I'd post those images here! In the third image, that inner, threaded gear thing, is, I think, the problem. The Argo RA gear screws onto that. When I turn the mount head a few times, the RA gear becomes loose...when I unscrew the RA gear, the inner gear is also loose... How do I tighten that inner gear so that is doesn't move?

[gary]

Thanks!

If you email now, we are ready to take your order. :thumbsup:

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd

[gary]

Hi DJVege,

I have responded to you via direct email.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd.

[Starkler]

Gary I also recall you once responding to an email query of mine within an hour on a sunday no less! One also needs to take time to have a life, or are you like Santa with a team of argo elves helping you? :lol:

[gary]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for the post.

With a customer base around the world and therefore across many time zones,
we work hard to try and service people in reasonable amounts of time whenever
possible. Though we can't guarantee a response outside normal Sydney
business weekday hours, it is not uncommon for us to respond to correspondence
we receive on the weekends or even very late at night.

One thing we can guarantee is that every email with my name on the bottom
did in fact come from yours truly, but if they invented it, I would welcome
the advent of self-cloning technology to help spread the work load. :)

Despite the long hours, we do get to slip away now and then and get to
do some interesting things, some of which we have even had the
opportunity to share right here on IceInSpace. :) For example, here are
some pictures from some of the places we managed to visit last year -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=27322
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=25551
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=21095


Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty Ltd.

[DJVege]

I can't stop praising you enough, Gary. Much appreciated. Looking forward to your help on this one. It's not even an Argo fault, but you're taking time to help.

I'll post the results/solution here, in case anyone else has this problem further down the track.

[gary]

Thanks DJVege,

No problem and this is exactly the type of thing I am here to assist with.

We appreciate your support.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[Phil]

Great stuff DJ you will love the Argo. I remember when you first came to my place to have a look a my gear. You didn't have a single astro item. Look at what you have now. Hope you have alot of great time with all your gear and clear sky's.
Phil

[GrahamL]

great stuff gary ..again :thumbsup:..DJ while you have garys attention perhaps
it a good time for a set of encoders for the 10 " as well:D;)

[gary]

HI Graham,

Thanks. :)

DJVege, I have responded with some follow-up advice this morning via direct
email.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[DJVege]

Graham, LOL! I'm thinking of putting the 10" on the HEQ5 later on, so I won't need encoders for the dob mount. :) Not ideal, of course, cause it will be the max weight the HEQ5 can take, but it should be fine for amateur planetary photography with my toucam. In a year or 2, I can always upgrade mounts... ;) (Damned expensive hobby!! Why on earth do I love aperture so much?)

Gary, I have replied! Thanks!!

[DJVege]

Hey guys, just posting the cause & solution to my little problem.

The CAUSE:

I had screwed on the cylindrical cover, for the polar scope, too hard. When unscrewing the cover, I also unscrewed the inside gear that the cover screws onto. This inside gear was stuck with some adhesive because it's purpose is NOT TO MOVE!! =) So, when I screwed this gear back on, and screwed the ARGO RA gear on top too far that it was up against the RA axis scale, the friction between the scale and RA gear, loosened the inner gear. Now that you're all confused....

The solution: Apply Loctite 242/243 to the inner gear and screw it onto the mount as usual. This sticks the gear to the mount, but can be removed with a HARD turn. Then apply some loctite to the argo RA gear, screw it onto the mount inner gear, NOT so far as to be pushing right up against the mount (RA axis scale), but close as possible. Leave it over night to dry.

AND NOW I'M ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! I've attached an image to help.

This Argo Navis is the bomb!!!!!! Best money ever spent!

Thanks a lot for you help, Gary (and your ongoing assistance to my stupidity). If you're ever in Bris-Vegas, look me up and I'll buy you a beer...or 10. ;)