EQ6 query

[DiscoDuck (Paul)]

I've had my EQ6 upgraded to a belt drive a few months back, and it's been running fine.

However, recently I've noticed that though it spins freely in RA when the scope is on one side of the mount, it's quite stiff on the other. e.g. I adjust the weights so it swings slowly down when released on one side. On the other, I have to give it quite a firm push (and keep on pushing) to move it down.

Would one of the adjustments detailed here
http://www.astro-baby.com/EQ6%20rebu...0alignment.htm
be appropriate? Don't want to blunder in and muck up adjustments which are currently ok! Or would it be a question of having to dismantle it again

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by DiscoDuck

I've had my EQ6 upgraded to a belt drive a few months back, and it's been running fine.

However, recently I've noticed that though it spins freely in RA when the scope is on one side of the mount, it's quite stiff on the other. e.g. I adjust the weights so it swings slowly down when released on one side. On the other, I have to give it quite a firm push (and keep on pushing) to move it down.

Would one of the adjustments detailed here
http://www.astro-baby.com/EQ6%20rebu...0alignment.htm
be appropriate? Don't want to blunder in and muck up adjustments which are currently ok! Or would it be a question of having to dismantle it again

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

Doubt that it needs dismantling. You could try backing off the nut on the end of the RA shaft to slightly reduce the pre-load on the bearings. Loosen the 3 grub screws and undo the nut just enough that there is no slop, but so the axis rotates freely. You probably will not have to readjust the worm clearance, but it is no big deal if you have to.

the first 3 pics of this show what you need to do to get at the nut with the 3 grub screws
http://www.astro-baby.com/EQ6%20rebu...rip%20down.htm

[DiscoDuck (Paul)]

Thanks Ray.
Paul

[Nico13 (Ken)]

Hi Paul,
I had a similar issue with my EQ6 when balancing, what I found was the lock lever was ever so slightly engaged and it only showed up on one side.
So I make sure when checking that I hold the lock lever all the way off and bingo no problems.
It doesn't take much drag to stop it and in particular when it's close to balance.
Hope this helps.

[DiscoDuck (Paul)]

Thanks Ken. Will check that!
Paul