Sky-watcher/Orion goto motor clutch adjustment

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Hi all,

I picked up an Orion xt10g a few weeks back and the azimuth clutch is so tight that when manually slewing the scope it will drag the base around unless forceful downward pressure is placed on the uprights.

I keep reading of references to a document released by skywatcher on how-to adjust the tension but have yet to find a download link.

Does anyone have a copy handy?

If not, I'm assuming it's just going to be a matter of pulling the black cover and backing off and adjusting a lock nut (similar to slipper clutches in rwd rc cars?)

Cheers

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Seems to just be a case of adjusting the big nut under the covers so I'll give it a crack tonight.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

I have a copy.
I also have the original German document (some of the English translation is a bit funny) if you can read German.

No responsibility taken.

I have done this and it works.

Just be careful of the wires in the Az motor box, very careful, (don't ask)!

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Thanks Allan, I'd planned to take a look tonight but just got home from work so will leave it until I can give it the attention & care it requires.

[knightrider]

Hi inertia8,

I did this same routine except the adjustment nut didn't alleviate my issue.
I'll link you to my old piggyback thread of my issue. In there is another link to strip down the base if need be just as I had to in my case.

Hope that helps.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=90376

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Thanks Knightrider. I'll take a look when work dies down (hopefully in time for the new moon!)

[inertia8 (Australia)]

Just want to say thanks. It took about a 1/4 turn to get it to be ok, still needs me to grab both ends of the tube for the base to stay still. I'd like to get it buttery smooth but I believe I'll need to make the base plate anchor more securely to the ground. Thinking of making a leveling base with castors and use the router to make holes within which the orion's rubber feet can locate.

[knightrider]

It is possible to free it up some more. However the nature of the clutch plates (friction discs sandwiching the gear plate) require it to be able to grip the gear plate enough to hold it still while the motor drives the worm gear on it.

This means it will always be quite frictiony to move by hand, and never a smooth gliding motion like a manual dob.