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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

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Trebor777
Hazy
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: DugDog]
      #3079469 - 05/01/09 05:07 PM

Quote:

Randy,

I have never rebuilt the mount before, however, I did find this link with a complete tear down:
http://www.beevo.com/rework.htm

Lots of cool photos of tear down, and reassembly. Maybe there is a photo of step you are over looking.

Worth a look?


DD




Thanx, I've actually seen that page before. Bobby's page is a bit more detailed - which I posted a link in the previous post.

I've also watch TSS (Telescope Stability Systems) Atlas Hypertune DVD a couple of times - along with experience (3 rebuilds) of the Atlas.

I'm just miffed as to what my issue is now with the RA not locking but being smooth to turn or being able to lock, but tight.

Thanx for your replies, there greatly appreciated.


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Charlie HeinAdministrator
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 11/02/03

Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: Trebor777]
      #3080573 - 05/02/09 08:32 AM

If I remember correctly, the clutch lock "bolt" screws into the housing of the mount and eventually contacts the side of the worm wheel to drive the mount. There's a hard stop on the housing that blocks the clutch "handle" from rotating all the way around and thus keeps the clutch bolt in place. The clutch bolt has a square "head". The handle has an eight point cutout in it to facilitate adjustment of the handle position.

If you tighten the clutch enough to engage it fully then remove the handle and move it a notch or so in the direction that you used to tighten the clutch, this should give you more clutch bolt travel in the opposite direction when you go to unlock it. I'd think that this would solve your problem, but the handle may look a little funny when locked down.

If it doesn't fix the problem then it's probably not the clutch that's binding the RA axis.


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mtb.daily
sage


Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: Charlie Hein]
      #3082604 - 05/03/09 11:23 AM

Hey gang,

I just tried to order the DVD but Paypal states:

Quote:

This recipient is currently unable to receive money.




Is TSS still doing business ?

-Jerry


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mtb.daily
sage


Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: mtb.daily]
      #3082605 - 05/03/09 11:24 AM


Is there another supplier of the DVD for the EQ6 mount?


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Trebor777
Hazy
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: mtb.daily]
      #3082793 - 05/03/09 01:25 PM

Quote:

Hey gang,

I just tried to order the DVD but Paypal states:

Quote:

This recipient is currently unable to receive money.




Is TSS still doing business ?

-Jerry




I don't think so. Not 100% sure

Check this link though: Astro-Ruby-Lith

They're working on a DVD for the Atlas rebuild - AND they sell bearings, spacers, has a CW shaft upgraded for the Atlas. Bascially they're selling everything you need to rebuild the mount. That's where I got my bearings & spacers from. They're stepping in where TSS left. It's sad because TSS was good, but didn't take care of their customers. There were people who sent TSS a lot of money and got nothing in return and had to try to get their money back from Paypal.

I'd email A.R.L. about the DVD...


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Trebor777
Hazy
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: Charlie Hein]
      #3082803 - 05/03/09 01:30 PM

Quote:

If I remember correctly, the clutch lock "bolt" screws into the housing of the mount and eventually contacts the side of the worm wheel to drive the mount. There's a hard stop on the housing that blocks the clutch "handle" from rotating all the way around and thus keeps the clutch bolt in place. The clutch bolt has a square "head". The handle has an eight point cutout in it to facilitate adjustment of the handle position.

If you tighten the clutch enough to engage it fully then remove the handle and move it a notch or so in the direction that you used to tighten the clutch, this should give you more clutch bolt travel in the opposite direction when you go to unlock it. I'd think that this would solve your problem, but the handle may look a little funny when locked down.

If it doesn't fix the problem then it's probably not the clutch that's binding the RA axis.




I've tried that already and it didn't do anything.

I think I just have to live with it being a little tight. I checked a friends Atlas last night and it's stock, nothing touched inside, and it was a bit stiff also, not moreso then mine was. So I'm thinking I'm just trying to get it to be too perfect. But other ideas/experiences are welcomed.

This is becoming a good thread for people who decide in the future to rebuild their Atlas.


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mtb.daily
sage


Reged: 09/19/07

Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: Trebor777]
      #3083919 - 05/04/09 12:12 AM



Randy, or anyone else, what is this Alt/Az mod that I have read about ?

-Jerry


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Trebor777
Hazy
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: mtb.daily]
      #3084006 - 05/04/09 02:18 AM

Quote:



Randy, or anyone else, what is this Alt/Az mod that I have read about ?

-Jerry




Behind the plastic "Atlas" cover on the mount, the side with the altitude markings on it, there's 3 tiny set screws that press agaist a plate inside the housing. Usuaully that's the reason many people have trouble adjusting the altitude bolts is because thise 3 screws are set really tight - the thing is, they're behind the plastic Atlas cap.

The mod is: The cap is taken off (both sides actually) - a small screw driver alone the edges with a light tap from a hammer usually does it. Once the Atlas plastic caps are removed you take off the big bolt. It simply unscrews with a wrench. Once that big bolt is out you take off the whole mount and you're left with just the housing, a metal plate and some plastic spacers that were inside. Next you remove the 3 tint set screws. Then you drill and tap those 3 holes where the set screws were so they can take a bigger screw. Then you drill 3 holes into the plastic cap - the one WITH the altitude markings, and make sure the hole correspond with the 3 newly drilled/tapped holes you made. Then you'd take off the grease on the metal plate and spacers that were inside. Reinstall everything and put the new bolts in. now those bolts are available to adjust. They're basically locking bolts for the altitude adjustment.

Check out a video here: Altitude/Azimuth Mod The "Atlas/EQ6/EQG Mounting Base" video

And check out steps 23-28 here: Alt/Azimuth Mod Directions

The video is great to see how/why it works and the direction page has a few pics of the steps I described above.

It made a huge difference in adjusting the altitude bolts when polar aligning.

Hope that helps.

Edited by Trebor777 (05/04/09 02:21 AM)


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EFT
Vendor - Deep Space Products
*****

Reged: 05/07/07

Loc: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: mtb.daily]
      #3089784 - 05/07/09 12:55 AM

TSS is gone. The owner disappeared. His PayPal has been shut down. Hopefully his site will be down soon as well.

Ed.


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neptun2
professor emeritus


Reged: 03/04/07

Loc: Bulgaria
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: EFT]
      #3118149 - 05/21/09 04:41 AM

I am sorry if this is stupid proposal but is it possible that the RA index scale locking screw is causing the problem? At least in my heq5 if the ra index scale is locked with the setscrew this causes the RA axis to be stiffer.

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Trebor777
Hazy
*****

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Connecticut - U.S.
Re: Atlas EQ-G Tracking Question new [Re: neptun2]
      #3118820 - 05/21/09 01:02 PM

Oh, I forgot about this thread... I should have come back before and cleared it up. I'm all set. I just had t play around with the mesh screws to adjust the alignment of the gears inside.

Mount works great now.


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