Re: [APML] Please help with my CI-700 mount, thanks

["joe" <jmize@svic.net>]

Mike;

     You only need / are supposed to tighten your clutches tight enough so
that your mount doesn't move on its own when there's an imbalance.  Try
putting a heavy eyepiece on your balanced mount making it out of balance
then loosen the clutches and retighten them so that the mount holds the
extra weight without moving.  That's all you need.  Excessivly tightening
the clutches could cause extra drag on the motors...joe  :)


"May You Go Among The Imperishable Stars"

Joe Mize:     jmize@svic.net
StarFields Observatory   http://www.svic.net/jmize
Chiefland, FL    29:24'33.4"N    82:51'37.7"W
Moon Phase:     http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/phase.gif

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Simons" <mikerxer1@bresnan.net>
To: <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 1:09 AM
Subject: [APML] Please help with my CI-700 mount, thanks


> I have a Celestron CI-700 mount (bought it last Christmas).  It seems
that,
> even when I have the OTA balanced, the motors seem to be working hard to
> slew. The worms are much easier to turn manually with the knobs
(disengaged
> from the motors) when the clutches are disengaged as compared to when the
> clutches are tight and engaged with the shaft/bearings/dovetail/OTA.
>
> Are there any web sites that detail how to adjust/tune-up the mount? Or,
> does anyone have the info that they can post on this thread?
>
> Also, it's a good thing I'm kind of "mechanical" because I have had to
> tighten several of the hex (Allen wrench-type) tiny "lock bolts" that
secure
> the motors/knobs to their shafts.  Has anyone had any experience with
using
> Lock-Tite compound on the screws/bolts on the mount when they loosen?
>
> Are there any up-grades to the mount such as more "beefier" RA and DEC
> clutches?  It seems that, even when I have these clutches well tightened,
it
> is still possible to move the OTA if accidentally slightly pushed/bumped
in
> the dark, so to speak.
>
> I am basically happy with the mount and, with it, I have enjoyed many
> observing sessions.
>
> What are your experiences with this mount?
>
> I am currently saving up for a Losmandy Gemini GoTo add-on for the mount
and
> I am concerned that the Losmandy motors will struggle with the worms, so
to
> speak and that the clutches will hold tight.
>
> -- Mike
>
>
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