Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodur
Alex, I once had a similar issue…. Checked the sidereal tracking it was switched on. After much fuss and bother I placed my ear onto the mount, it wasn’t tracking. Perform this simple physical check and you’ll have definitive proof as to the functioning of sidereal tracking.
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Hi David thank you for your input.
I have had many occassions where mounts have caused me to look for the axe but the first thing I do/did is have a listen and in this case you could hear the sweet little thing, so it told me it should be working but certainly noise and stars told me "It must be power" but as I said the power was ok.
Now the only thing that changed from very poor tracking to very good tracking is that I changed the payload.
The problem existed when I only had my Nikon camera and a small 50 mm lens together with a small guide scope and it's little camera..the problem disappeared when I replaced those units with my 80mm triplet with a two 2600 OSC....why? I don't know why that made the difference but that was the only thing...after the change I ran the mount for an hour tracking in RA and at the end of the hour is was close to where it should have ended up but perhaps a degree short of where I expected...now that suggests that perhaps by running the thing for a long time it fixed something ,...maybe? Like why the missing degree..was it running poor and then whatever cleared? The missing degree suggest such.
I simply don't know what the answer really is..or was..and my thoughts as to extra weight or a long run fixing whatever are too nebulous to make me feel I have a legitimate answer...now if the next time I use it the issue presents again it will get the axe for sure or maybe a pull down and clean inspection etc...
Maybe we can make a list of what to do...
Check hand box that tracking selected,
Can you hear motor etc,
Is the red light flashing
Will it perform in both RA and Dec at highest speed
Is balance correct
Any cables snagging
Clutch engaged
Please feel free to add something if I have missed something which I suspect I may have.
Thanks again..I must say when I bent over and heard that sound I actually felt relieved because given the tracking showed as on via the hand box I had convinced myself the motor was gone...
But these days I just don't despair as I have had so many issues over the years that keep you awake all night with worry and confusion all of which resolve in a matter of days I have learnt to be patient as thing always come good and there is nothing to be gained from working yourself up or busting stuff up with the axe...but I make a point of not owning an axe....
Alex