Hi there,
I bought a cheap 114mm newtonian last year and it came with an equatorial
mount. I was wondering if there was any way of telling what type it is.
i.e. EQ1, EQ2 ...
I am looking to get a motor drive for it but don't know what it is.
Can you give us a pic Dennis. The EQ3/5 types have a drive kit available, but not sure about the EQ2.
If it has a big (1 1/2") knurled wheel on one end of the RA worm shaft then its probably an EQ1/2.
First, though, could I congratulate you on your "roll your own" refractor? Real great too see some smaller end DIY still going on, apart from saving bucks the satisfaction of the end product is priceless. (Just most DIY's these days seem to big be scale stuff, and on bigger budget?)
Re the mount, I think it is one that was sold under DSE (Dick Smith Electronics) brand. If so getting a drive motor could be a problem.
Before jumping to conclusions, the one I'm thinking of has the following:
Counterweight shaft is a long hex head bolt
Only one counterweight
The latitude (alt) adjusting has only one rear mounted screw
On the left side looking from rear there is an exposed gear which moves in RA, and an engaging lever and a stop
The RA setting ring is fixed, but the DEC ring is sliding (Weird?)
If it is a DSE I wouldn't have a clue as to the manufacturer, but perhaps DSE could help, but more likely not (well worth a try though).
Someone else may recognise the manufacturer, but as far as I know it is not a Synta (i.e. EQ1-2 etc up to EQ6) which is the manufacturer behind a lot of common brands of cheaper (but certainly not inferior) GEM's sold in Aus under a lot of different banners
