What do these Nobs Do - EQ5 ?

[Astro78]

Hi,

Just below the nobs listed - A in the pic (can't upload my own pic?) there is a smaller nob with another identical one on the other side.

Can anyone tell me what they do?

They don't seem to have any effect at all.....hmmm

[iceman (Mike)]

They look sort of slow motion knobs for your RA and DEC?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

To load your own images they need to be jpegs and less than 150Kb.

Are you referring to the large black knobs or something else?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I just re-read your post and had another look at the image. I think the knobs you are talking about (right at the bottom of the mount head and directly over one leg which is usually marked with an N (north) or S (south)) are the Azimuth adjustment knobs. They are used to finely adjust your mount during polar alignment so that it (your mount) points to the celestial south.

[Astro78]

Hi Paul and Mike,

No i've got the slow mo controls down pact.

They might be the Azimuth but don't seem to move (or can't) the mount in any way at all. Perhaps this the way i have the head mounted?

I still can't upload the pics even though in .jpg and only 87kb...even turned off the Firewall no difference.

Anyway they seem to unscrew allowing the other one to screw in further.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Anyway they seem to unscrew allowing the other one to screw in further.

Definately Azimuth adjusters. Check the top of your tripod. There will be a spike sticking up from the top of the tripod. It will be near the leg marked N or S. This spike has to go between the two threaded rods of the Azimuth adjuster.

Take the mount head off the tripod. Unscrew both knobs a half dozen turns or so each and then place the mount head back on the tripod with the spike between the two loosened adjusters (have a look under the mount and see where the adjuster bolts come through the body of the mount before you put it on the tripod). Do up the tripod bolt to attach the mount head to the tripod. Don't over tighten. Now screw in one of the adjusters. Once you make contact with the spike the head will start to turn on the top of the tripod.

Once you have polar aligned your mount you can then tighten up the tripod bolt more firmly but it doesn't need to be muscleman tight.

[Astro78]

thanks Paul!

That makes so much sense...ah the relief.

Been doing really good star-drift alignments but having to move the mount around N/S. This is the goods!

That would explain how I cracked the bubble level too

Thanks mate,

Trav