Sky Watcher Autotracking

[crikko]

Hi guys,

I recently got my first scope, a sky watcher autotracking dob (the 8" collapsible), but I'm having problems getting the autotracker to keep with the stars. I've followed all the instructions and it's perfectly levelled, but it still won't keep up with what I'm watching.

Any ideas?

Regards,

Chris

[MikeyB]

I haven't seen or used one of these myself, but after a quick glance at the downloaded manual, two points spring to mind:

1. Don't use D-cell batteries - get a jump start powerpack instead; and

2. Make sure that moving parts aren't binding and causing any unintended drag that the motors have to fight against.

Hope this helps:thumbsup:

[crikko]

Thanks Mikey.
I've already rigged it up to a 12V battery that I already had, which I did because that was cheaper than buying the D-Cell's.
There's nothing so far as I can see that's binding the moving parts, but I'll double check.

[MikeyB]

Another possibility that just occurred to me is the reverse of binding but would also cause your problem - are some parts a bit too loose and the drive motors are slipping?

Looking again at that manual I downloaded, I can see there's an altitude motor box on one of the upright arms, although I can't see how this drives the angle of the scope barrel. Is it just friction drive by a rubberised wheel and if so, could it be slipping a bit when it should be gripping?