Return to the Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews home pageAstronomics discounts for Cloudy Nights members
· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User
You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Mounts
Previous thread Previous   Index   Next thread Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Atlas EQ-G Tuneup
      #2807379 - 12/15/08 09:42 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Can anyone point me toward some reputable businesses that can clean/inspect/regrease my mount's innards and upgrade the bearings and other components?

Thanks!
Tony

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Charlie HeinAdministrator
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 11/02/03

Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2807383 - 12/15/08 09:47 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Telescope Stability Systems has a good reputation.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
David PavlichAdministrator
Transmographied
*****

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2807432 - 12/15/08 10:11 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

You might contact Doc Clay and see what he can do for you. He can sure make a CGE a good performer.

David

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: David Pavlich]
      #2807493 - 12/15/08 10:52 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Has anybody here had an Atlas "hypertuned" by Telescope Stability Systems? How long did it take and how happy are you that you had the work done?

Thanks!

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Strgazr27

****

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2808008 - 12/16/08 10:10 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Yedgy,

You've got a PM.........

I purchased my parts through Tim at TSS and have had a CGE tuned by Doc Clay. Both high quality people and operations although the TSS tuneup is a bit expensive but that's JMO....

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Bradley B
sage
*****

Reged: 05/14/07

Loc: Sacramento, California
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Strgazr27]
      #2808212 - 12/16/08 11:43 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

I don't want this to be seen as vendor bashing, but over on the TSS-Yahoo forum, it seems that the owner of TSS has been pretty non-responsive over the past several months.

Everything might be okay now, but just be careful out there.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
lawrie
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/31/06

Loc: Okanagan Valley
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Bradley B]
      #2808368 - 12/16/08 01:27 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Has anybody used their (TSS) CD on how to tune up the mount?

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Bradley B]
      #2808378 - 12/16/08 01:32 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Thanks, folks! It looks like I have a few options to consider.

Bradley, thanks for posting links to the McMaster-Carr thumbscrews a while back! They look great and I just ordered a set to replace those dangblasted toggle bolts.

Tony

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Jeffrey Sugden
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 05/04/05

Loc: Akron, OH
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: lawrie]
      #2808391 - 12/16/08 01:36 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Quote:

Has anybody used their (TSS) CD on how to tune up the mount?



Yes. I also got the replacement bearings and spacer kit from TSS. All shipped quickly (RA tapered bearing was back-ordered and I received it the following week). The DVD is great.

Next on my list is to do the latitude adjustment mod.

All in all, this is a great resource for a DIY tuneup!

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
lawrie
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 01/31/06

Loc: Okanagan Valley
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Jeffrey Sugden]
      #2808629 - 12/16/08 04:02 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Hey Jeff, have you done the upgrade yet, which bearings did you use?

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Strgazr27

****

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: lawrie]
      #2810130 - 12/17/08 09:43 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

The last few months have been a bit rough for Tim. He was working through a personal issue but when I last talked to him things were getting back to "Normal". If your doing the tune up the best choice when doing the mount would be a full bearing upgrade and using the 9 ball ceramic worm bearings. The CW shaft upgrade for a DIY is NOT cheap unless you already have access to the bit and tap that is needed for the shaft as well as the bit needed to drill out the CW's or a friend with a drill press and the required bits and tap. Having purchased the correct bits and tap I can tell you it's NOT CHEAP I paid $148 for all 3.

The DVD is very helpful but will not replace mechanical skills, the tools needed and clean working techniques. The more care taken when rebuilding the mount the better it will operate.

Here is the CW shaft. The weights are currently in my spray booth being repainted



Here is the AZ Mod. Yep...Keen eyes will notice I drilled the wrong sideplate Lol



Here is the current payload........39 pounds and PE is under 6 arcseconds peak to peak



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Strgazr27

****

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Strgazr27]
      #2810137 - 12/17/08 09:46 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

This is close to 50 pounds on the Atlas. Although I am shooting at relatively short Fl's it still tracks better than my CGE's did with lower PE.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Strgazr27]
      #2810306 - 12/17/08 11:48 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

That's quite the setup, Bobby! How does the mount behave in the wind (assuming it gets any in the observatory)?

Tony

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Strgazr27

****

Reged: 10/04/04

Loc: StonyHill Observatory
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2810374 - 12/17/08 12:15 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Quote:

That's quite the setup, Bobby! How does the mount behave in the wind (assuming it gets any in the observatory)?

Tony



Tony,

Thanks! That's one of the nice things about having the Obs. I have more than tripled my imaging time over last year with roughly the same weather patterns. I have imaged in 25-30mph gusts without any real difficulty. At the zenith the tubes only stick about 8 inches above the edge of the wall line so wind is not an issue.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
dvb
different Syndrome.
*****

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Bradley B]
      #2811136 - 12/17/08 06:43 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Quote:

I don't want this to be seen as vendor bashing, but over on the TSS-Yahoo forum, it seems that the owner of TSS has been pretty non-responsive over the past several months.

Everything might be okay now, but just be careful out there.



I sent TSS an e-mail some time ago to see if I could buy the parts to do the altitude-azimuth tune-up myself, since it seemed to make more sense than shipping the whole mount.

I never heard back, so bought the British kit.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: dvb]
      #2811146 - 12/17/08 06:48 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

British kit? Could you post a link to this?

Thanks!
Tony

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
fetoma
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 09/26/06

Loc: Southern New Jersey
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2811163 - 12/17/08 06:57 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Tony,

I think that Bobby aka "Strgazr27" in the above post might do tune-ups on the Atlas mount. Shoot him a PM.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Yedgy
professor emeritus
*****

Reged: 07/22/08

Loc: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: fetoma]
      #2811179 - 12/17/08 07:05 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Thanks, Frank. I'm in communication with Bobby now but still would like to see some options for sourcing the parts, as they are a bit pricey.

Tony

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
dvb
different Syndrome.
*****

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: Yedgy]
      #2811711 - 12/17/08 11:13 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Quote:

British kit? Could you post a link to this?

Thanks!
Tony




Here is the link to Astrodevelopments:

http://tinyurl.com/52z65r

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
fetoma
Carpal Tunnel
*****

Reged: 09/26/06

Loc: Southern New Jersey
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tuneup new [Re: dvb]
      #2812004 - 12/18/08 07:58 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Tony,

I got mine here:

http://www.vxb.com/

In fact, I have four ceramic bearings left from an 8 pack I bought to do my worms with just sitting in the package.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

Previous thread Previous   Index   Next thread Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
23 registered and 38 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:  Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze 

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled


Thread views: 1490

Jump to

CN Forums Home


Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics