I have a DIY alt/azm mount which works just fine as it is.
All movements are buttery smooth, I'm very happy with it.
So of course, I want to modify it!
I've managed to temporarily setup an azimuth drive just for slewing to objects, not tracking.
The altitude slewing can happen when, and if, I get the azimuth right.
The azimuth drive consists of a Valco 404.684 36V geared motor, made in Germany, which looks rather like a windscreen wiper motor.
I've made a hexagonal shaft for it from a large allen key that was sitting in the shed.
With a timing belt setup, it runs very nicely from a 12V 7.5Ah gel battery, providing a very satisfactory smooth gentle slewing speed in azimuth.
At 12V the motor runs at about 12 RPM, which turns the scope 360° in a bit over 2 minutes; I'm happy with that, what's the rush after all.
The next bit, electronics, is where I need some advice!
I would like to be able to vary the speed
down for fine adjustments in azimuth at the eyepiece, and ultimately in altitude also.
I envisage a handset with momentary switches for forward and reverse slewing, and a speed adjustment potentiometer(?) to reduce speed when at the eyepiece.
I think I could manage that, momentary switches that reverse the wiring for change of direction, plus the potentiometer.
Is it that simple?
If I get this right, the altitude movement will be pretty much the same I guess.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!
Cheers
Chris