HEQ5 Pro Noise

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Hey guys, I just got a new HEQ5 GOTO, and just wondering if this if normal. When I slew it you can hear the motors speed up, and then when it's going, you can hardly hear them at all, just a high pitch whine, which is fine I think. But when I let go of the button, and the motors slow back down, the sound is like "loose gears" and a bit rattly or something, just before it comes to a stop? It's worst in the RA, DEC isn't too bad.

Is that just the way they sound?

I was polar aligning last night, and the star was drifting East very fast, after about 5 minutes it had moved half way across the eyepiece? I figure the mount is tracking too fast. Is there maybe some setting I may have missed, or should I be concerned about it?

Erik

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by E_ri_k

Is that just the way they sound?
should I be concerned about it?

Erik

yes
no

there are tutorials on the web on how to make them sound smoother, but it does not seem to make any difference to performance - just make sure the worm clearances are adjusted so that there is no obvious backlash and the mount should work fine without any mods at all.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Thanks Ray, I had a look on the net and Youtube after my post, and I saw LOTS of similar threads on this, and it doesn't seem to be a problem. Thanks, I don't feel stressed now!

Not game adjusting the worms just yet. I noticed a bit of backlash in the RA but not in the DEC. I'll get aligned and see how it goes.

Erik

[2stroke (Jay)]

Check the atm and diy section of the forum it has everything. The crunch is only the gear that sits between the drive pinion and worm gear being loose and vibrating when it stops. Adjusting your worm is a piece of cake http://www.astro-baby.com/heq5-rebuild/heq5-we1.htm . Just enjoy it till your confident to adjust things though its not that hard to do.

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Thank Jay

[Marcus]

I think tracking error is quite normal, how accurate is your polar align? With polar alignment plus 3 star alignment after that things seem to be fine. If you work on your drift align that should be even better. Enjoy the mount, it's great fun.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Hi Erik , I have one of these ( in NZ, under a Saxon 150mm f/8 frac ) and the balance of the OTA makes a huge differance to the noise you are hearing , put the balance so the OTA is pushing against the drives and that way the drives have a constant pressure against them , shuts them up some .
But Mate , it is really only a cosmetic thing as mine kept on keeping on for years , either way ( noisey or quiet it really does not matter ) ,these are great mounts .
Brian.

[LewisM]

The background hiss of the HEQ5 I found VERY VERY annoying, especially when it was tracking - I have VERY sensitive ears in the high frequencies. It was driving me nuts. Sold it.

My NEQ6 is no where near as noisey as the HEQ5.

I also noticed a MAJOR difference in noise levels between running it off a battery or from mains (via converter/adaptor) - it is SIGNIFICANTLY quieter with mains power - probably to do with more "demand" from the battery? I run it exclusively from mains now unless it is in the field.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Mine rattles a bit when starting / stopping slewing also. It's normal.

With the tracking, do you have sidereal rate selected? I think it's the default anyway but just check to be sure. Mine takes a couple of minutes to settle, after which the tracking accuracy is very precise.

Mine also tracks quietly on battery power. I have to concentrate to hear the R.A. motor. The DEC stepper can sometimes sit on a spot that gives a high pitch whine, but it's not too bad.

Compared to the racket my previous mounts made, this one is quite pleasant.

[2stroke (Jay)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

The background hiss of the HEQ5 I found VERY VERY annoying, especially when it was tracking - I have VERY sensitive ears in the high frequencies. It was driving me nuts. Sold it.

My NEQ6 is no where near as noisey as the HEQ5.

I also noticed a MAJOR difference in noise levels between running it off a battery or from mains (via converter/adaptor) - it is SIGNIFICANTLY quieter with mains power - probably to do with more "demand" from the battery? I run it exclusively from mains now unless it is in the field.

Get some white lithium on the gears by just popping the side cover and this will fix it for you. A good think coat should dampen any high pitch sequel, it also kills the sound of the wind up and down.

[MattT]

Hi Erik,
I had an HEQ5 pro goto and it was noisy at the end of the slew in particular. Mine was always adjusted so I think it's normal. Added extra grease too as there wasn't much on it which did make a bit of difference at night time any noise sounds loud.
Matt

[E_ri_k (Erik)]

Actually noticed that balanced properly it is not as bad. It tracked very well the other night. Im not overly concerned by it. As log as it performs well, which so far it has!

Erik