EQ3-2 mount Dec a bit loose?

[malau (David)]

Hi all,

I have a EQ3-2 mount. if I use my hands and move the tube a bit when the dec knob is locked it seems there is a gap I can move before can feel the fraction/stop.

Any one knows how to fix it and if maybe the reason why my pics have star trail (even with motor drive) sometimes?

Thanks

[ZeroID (Brent)]

I just pulled my first mount apart, an old EQ2 for the same reason. The dec locking system is a plastic ring keyed to the shaft. Mine had fractured and a big chunk was in small bits inside the head. Obviously impossible to buy new and the mount is of no value but I fixed it anyway. With concrete and a bit of plastic water pipe of the same diameter as the original ring. Lathed up a bit of 20mm (IIRC) pipe so it could sit on the dec gear surface. The original ring was just about 20 mm deep at one end. Centred the piece of pipe and sealed it down then filled up the inside with Rockite which locked it to the shaft and made it solid so it could be the locking surface. Works a treat.

Pull the helix drive off the side and take a look inside to see if anything is loose or damaged. I can post a few pix if you have a similar problem.