Mel Bartel drive system

[mch62 (Mark)]

Hi , just wondering if anyone in OZ has a Mel bartel drive system on there scope.
I am in the early stages of building a friction roller drive fork mount for my 12.5'f6 newt and have been refurred to his sytems from various soarces from the web .
Just trying to get an Aussie perspective on his drive systems.
I am going for the servo system and as it is still quite new I don't expect much feed back on it , but his stepper system has been out for a while and is used by many people with either Dobs or EQ mounts.

Any one out there been bartelised ?

[iceman (Mike)]

What's it look like? I haven't heard of or seen these before..

Are you going to end up getting one?

[mch62 (Mark)]

I think so , I have been doing lots of research e-mailing Mel Bartel and have better understanding on the Servo system and the reduction ratios required.
I think for $8-900OZ for the complete system it's the only why I will get a mount built in the short term.
The friction drive idea realy appeals to me as well as it does away with very very expensive worm wheel sets ( like $2000+) .
As long as it is designed correctly PE is just about non existant in a friction drive. You have to watch slippage of the friction drive and keep it surface clean , but the Bartel system has the ability to run extra shaft encoders so the drive does not get lost if it does slip or you push the scope to a new location.

Have to finish the observatory ---I mean start it first before I can start the drive , but will keep the forum posted on the drive as it comes about.
Mark Hodson
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