regreasing skywatcher HEQ5 mount, worth it?

[joshman (Josh)]

hey all, i'm on holidays for another week and a bit and am getting bored with all the cloud hanging around, though tonight is looking good to get the scope out (first time in a LONG time), so i've been thinking about pulling down the HEQ5 head and regreasing it, so my main quesiton is, is it worth it? and if so, what type/brand of degreaser and grease should i use?is there anything to watch out for? and especially, IS IT WORTH IT?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

This is the site you want Josh
http://www.astronomyboy.com/cg5/

And yes I found it made a considerable difference to my EQ4. It definately got rid of those sticky spots, plus you get to know your mount mechanics much more intimately

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Yes, I've done it to two mounts and they've both been a bit better afterwards. The link above it is a good guide, it's not that complicated (at least it wasn't to me). Anyone who like to fiddle and pull things apart will find the job relatively easy. I suppose my only advice would be to watch all the washers! I recall there are rather a few in there.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Does anyone know of where to find a good set of instructions for pulling an EQ6 apart top re-grease etc?

[joshman (Josh)]

hmmmm, looking good so far, the next question is, what brand of grease should i use to re-grease it?what about de-greaser?

i'll be sure to take a heap of photos, and if turns out alright, i'll make a bit of a tutorial out of it.

[casstony]

Here's a thread about types of grease: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...highlight=lube

I used kero to degrease my skyview pro/eq5, and super lube synthetic grease to re-grease it. This mount was very stiff in RA prior to re-greasing but now moves silky-smooth. The only problem I had was difficulty getting the ring gear back onto the shaft - it needs to be kept dead-square as it is tapped back on.

Here's a series of photo's of a GPDX re-grease: http://arnholm.org/astro/gpdx/index.htm

As long as your careful and remember where everything goes it's not a hard job. After completing the job it's nice having a greater appreciation of how the mount works.

[snowyskiesau]

I've re-greased two Vixen SP/GP mounts with great success.
Degrease with kero (get the low odour stuff if you're planning to do the work indoors)
Re-grease with a lithium based grease - used a BP brand I got from Supa Cheap Auto.

As already pointed out, the instructions at astronomyboy's website are great.

For the SP mounts, adjusting the backlash is a bugger of a job

[joshman (Josh)]

cheers guys, i'll see what i can do about getting some grease, though prolly not till monday at this stage, at which point i won't be able to start my re-greasing operation till after new-years... and i'd prefer to have my full tool kit on hand.... might have to wait till i get back to brisbane.

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi josh,
I'm not sure if the HEQ5 would benefit as much as an EQ4/5 mount, but it wouldn't hurt!
I recently took my EQ5 apart and removed the old grease, smoothed and polished the rough gears then relubed with SuperLube - the difference to my Skywatcher Synscan EQ5 GoTo mount was dramatic. I used the AstronomyBoy guide.
Have a look at my recent imaging posts to see the changes...

BEFORE...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=26544

AFTER...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=27001
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=27057

...these mods have helped me acquire my best pic yet I reckon from the EQ5.
Very Happy Jan!!!
All the best
Doug

[astro_nutt]

I've had to clean and re-grease stub-axle bearings plus reduction gearboxes for mount drives...I start by covering a table with newspaper, then cover this with photocopy paper using masking tape to hold it together..using a felt pen mark out and number a series of squares..one square for each part..two tubs with kero to wash and rinse all parts..a checklist to record each part in the order of removal..I remove the old grease using an old rag then wash the part in kero with a paint brush..then let the part soak in the rinsing tub...(use a clean paint brush for this)..once clean let it airdry in it's square..(drying by using a cloth may leave fibers caught in gears etc) when it's dry check to see if any dirt shows on the paper..if so re-rinse in clean kero.
I use a lithium based bearing grease with good results..
Before assembly wash and dry all tools required as well as your hands!!
Cheers!!

[joshman (Josh)]

awesome, looks like this is the go then, i found some aerosol CRC brand white lithitum grease in an autobarn this morning, i'm wondering if this is ok for re-greasing the mount?

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

This is the stuff I used josh (squeezy tube variety!) probably similar stuff?
http://www.super-lube.com/
Cheers
Doug