EQ6 Mods & Hypertuning take 2

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

It's been a couple of years since I finished the hypertune of my EQ6.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ight=hypertune

Despite improving the performance of the mount the PE contribution of the motor transfer gear was still a major contributor. At one stage I was looking at having the mechanism modified however I ended up buying a G11 and I've been using that pretty much all the time since.

Last week I decided a new project was required so I've ordered the belt mod kit for the EQ6 from Rowan Astronomy so it is now time to pull the EQ6 apart again. I'm interested to see what it is like inside after the hypertune.

I'm also thinking about modifying the counterweight shaft to increase the shaft diameter (probably same as G11) and also change the way it attaches to the DEC axis. I'd like to end up with a screw on arrangement like the G11 rather than one where it attaches to the nut that is loading the DEC axis bearings. To achieve this I'm looking at machining a thread on the inside of the dec axis where the CW shaft would attach.

Has anyone done this mod to an eq6? Also looking for recommendations for a good machine shop in brisbane that could turn up a stainless steel CW shaft. Although I have a lathe I hate working with stainless steel so would prefer to get the CW shaft made.

I'll post pictures of my progress!

Cheers,

Peter.

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Has anyone done this mod to an eq6?

This looks to be similar, but not sure if it's exactly what you want. Anyhow, you should probably talk to Ken:

EQ6 Pro counter weight shaft mod

I'll be very interested to see how you go, especially with your opinion on what constitutes the best bang for the buck with regard to improving PE and/or general performance: hypertune or belt-mod.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Astro_Bot

This looks to be similar, but not sure if it's exactly what you want. Anyhow, you should probably talk to Ken:

EQ6 Pro counter weight shaft mod

I'll be very interested to see how you go, especially with your opinion on what constitutes the best bang for the buck with regard to improving PE and/or general performance: hypertune or belt-mod.

Thanks for the link. What I'm looking to do is link the CW shaft to the dec axis shaft directly rather than link it to the dec collar.

John B did something similar in this thread however his is not threaded and still uses the dec collar to retain the shaft. I want something where I can remove the CW shaft without changing the DEC taper bearing loading.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...1&postcount=20

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I've spent a few hours thinking about this today and have come up with the following plan - interested in some feedback from thse who are more mechanically minded than me before I rip into it!

[Visionoz (Bill)]

I did do something like what you are thinking of Peter - had a spare tripod from my G11 which is in the obs and decided to pimp my EQ6 and used the extension CW bar of the G11 for the purpose - I think I overdid the coupling bit IMHO

This setup is used as my portable mobile one now - not so "portable" though! But very stable indeed

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[Bart]

Check out this thread if you have not already seen it.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=115495

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Visionoz

I did do something like what you are thinking of Peter - had a spare tripod from my G11 which is in the obs and decided to pimp my EQ6 and used the extension CW bar of the G11 for the purpose - I think I overdid the coupling bit IMHO

This setup is used as my portable mobile one now - not so "portable" though! But very stable indeed

HTH
Cheers
Bill

I was looking at my G11 tripod and thinking the same thing. It is a very sturdy tripod compared to the EQ6 one.

Originally Posted by Bart

Check out this thread if you have not already seen it.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=115495

Yep - seen it but this mod still has the CW shaft attached to the DEC collar. I want the CW shaft to attach to the DEC shaft directly.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Visionoz

I did do something like what you are thinking of Peter - had a spare tripod from my G11 which is in the obs and decided to pimp my EQ6 and used the extension CW bar of the G11 for the purpose - I think I overdid the coupling bit IMHO

This setup is used as my portable mobile one now - not so "portable" though! But very stable indeed

HTH
Cheers
Bill

Do you have any details/drawings of the coupling for the CW shaft in this mod Bill?

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

Do you have any details/drawings of the coupling for the CW shaft in this mod Bill?

Sorry Peter I do not have any measurements nor drawings!

I purchased just a bar of aly stock and had a friend lathe out the DEC coupling piece which replaced the original SW one - sort of fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants style and used the CW extension bar for the G11 which as you know is threaded at the top and therefore the CW bar is actually threaded in a-la Losmandy style - I use the standard Losmandy weights since I have plenty of those around because I also have a Titan 50 in the obs not being used at the moment
For the base attachment to the Losmandy tripod I just used a standard Skywatcher pier fitting that came with the 3-legged pier that they sell and just had an adaptor made to fit

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I was interested in how the CW bar attaches to the mount - have you made an insert that fits into the dec axis shaft with a threaded end to accept the C shaft?

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Originally Posted by peter_4059

I was interested in how the CW bar attaches to the mount - have you made an insert that fits into the dec axis shaft with a threaded end to accept the C shaft?

Peter

I take a photo when I get home tonite - sorry was out of Perth yesterday

Cheers
Bill

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Peter

Herewith the promised pixs

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Thanks Bill. I'm still looking to keep the CW shaft independent from the DEC collar. Currently looking at an insert to fit the ID of the DEC axis as an alternative to threading the inside of the DEC axis shaft.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I saw this Peter - link

Guess you run the risk of spending more in tools and machining vs upgrading the mount...

DT

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Thanks David - I haven't seen that one before however it is a variation of the ones that others have posted in that the DEC collar is still taking the weight of the CW shaft. It is true that I'd be spending more on my EQ6 however I can't see an AP becoming an option any time soon and the EQ6 is already performing quite nicely and should be even better with the belt drives and a CW shaft that doesn't flop around.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

OK - think I've settled on this plan - I'm going to get an insert to fit the DEC axis shaft with a thread on the end that will protrude past the DEC collar. A new SS counterweight shaft will have a matching female thread.

This will be easier to fabricate and will not compromise the integrity of the DEC axis shaft. The only mod I need to make to the mount is to bore out the DEC axis collar and drill and tap some holes for set screws in the DEC axis shaft to retain the insert.

I've got the DEC axis in pieces now and hope to have the modifications complete by the end of the week.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Picked up the modded CW shaft and DEC axis shaft this afternoon. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It is rock solid and there is no load on the DEC axis nut now. Here are some images of the mods:
1. New DEC axis shaft insert
2. Bored out DEC collar
3. Old and new CW shaft
4. Insert attached to DEC axis shaft with grub screws.
5. DEC collar attached to DEC axis shaft
6. Clearance between DEC collar and new CW shaft attachment
7. New CW shaft attached to DEX axis shaft

Now to install the belt drives and put it all back together.

[allan gould]

Well planned out and executed. Looks very shmick from the images and should make the eq6 a real performer.
Allan

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Spent most of today installing the belt drives and putting it all back together.

Here's how it went:
1. Bit too much grease form the last hypertune - cleaned this out and re-greased today.
2. The Delrin spacers were in as new condition and I reused these - didn't bother calculating new thicknesses.
3-4. Belt installed on the worm.
5. Old transfer gears and new belt arrangement.
6-8. Motors ready to install.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

1. Motors installed
2. It's pretty tight in there - tricky to get the belt on the motor shaft and not drop any screws.
3. All back together. Made a toe saver on the lathe this afternoon.

Fired it up - really quiet! Can't wait for a clear night to test the PE now.