Issue with CGEM mount

[brisen (Brian)]

I have a CGEM mount which I am having some issues with and hope that someone here might be able to shed some light on the issue.

The mount is carrying a 11" Celestron tube and I have balanced it in accordance with the instructions. The issue I have is that the mount is making what is best described as a sound that suggests that the worm gears are not meshing and instead are jumping along the top of the gear. The mount wont track when this occurs and killing the power with the switch is the only way to stop the noise. This then results in having to re-align and start from scratch again.

Is my assumption that the mount is not quite balanced correctly the likely cause or is this likely to be something more sinister. I have already had to have the MC card replaced as it was faulty and I haven't really had a chance to use the scope that much since due to poor health. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[omegacrux (David)]

I'd recheck balance
It should move with light finger pressure , other boffins might be more knowledgeable than me

David

[brisen (Brian)]

Thanks David. I will try that and see what happens.

Brian

[billdan (Bill)]

Gooday Brian

The CGEM is a re-badged EQ6 and they are known for making crunching noises when slewing, quiet when tracking.

If you are still having issues, I'll be in Caboolture on Tuesday morning for a preventative maintenance job I have to do. Should be finished by 9-00am.

So if you are interested PM me your address and phone number and I can come over then.

Regards
Bill

[sil (Steve)]

I have a C11 on CGEM DX. Its damn solid, but VERY delicate to balance changes, and balance does change depending where to point it. So when i used it i would point it to the sky area i wanted to image and balance it in that position. Then go back and do alignment and since it ends up where i balanced it, it would track steady and true there. I never had the noises you describe, I wouldn't think the CGEM is suitable for a C11, but i did notice changes in motor pitch when balance wasn't perfect. I would still get those "straining" noises during alignment but once i slew to my target and image it would be settled and quiet.

btw, it is VERY fussy about balance, a loose dangling cable can effect things as the setup moves around, so keep everything tied down so it doesnt shift around but also so you don't end up with taught cables resisting (straining) movement.