Telescope Reviews: A few iEQ45 mods

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dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

A few iEQ45 mods
#5472054 - 10/15/12 06:26 PM Attachment (125 downloads)

I've been quite pleased with the iEQ45 mount - I wasn't sure if it would manage my 10" f/4.5 Newt, but it does, for visual use, in its "stripped down version" with the Ken Dauzat rings, which weights about 33 lb., with a Parcorr, Nagler 31T5, and TelRad. The heavier Parallax rings, at 39 lb., are manageable, but I didn't really enjoy it.

I have replaced the stock saddles with a the ADM Vixen/Losmandy type.

You'll note I am using the iEQ45 extension bar - with that, 2 weights will do more that 4 weights on the stock bar alone.

Edited by dvb (10/16/12 12:17 PM)

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472059 - 10/15/12 06:29 PM Attachment (74 downloads)

A surprising annoyance of the iEQ45 is the tripod spreader, which is made of plastic, with "vanes" underneath - these cut into the hand while carrying the mount, and remove some of the benefit of its light weight.

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472064 - 10/15/12 06:33 PM Attachment (77 downloads)

I happened to have a spare spreader from a Skywatcher mount. On its own, it is too wide to properly mate with the spindle of the iEQ45. One option would be to replace the spindle with something longer, but my dealer, Nick at Vancouver Telescope Centre, was kind enought to shorten the wings of the extra SW spreader so it is compatable with the stock iEQ45 spindle. Here is the shorter SW spreader (black) lying on a stock SW spreader (white).

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472072 - 10/15/12 06:36 PM Attachment (88 downloads)

A final annoyance is the azimuth adjustment bolts - they are cold-forged, square-ended, which makes adjustment kind of "jiddery"; not very smooth:

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472076 - 10/15/12 06:38 PM Attachment (68 downloads)

Nick at Vancouver Telescope was kind enough to round the end of the screw on his grinder:

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472088 - 10/15/12 06:46 PM

I know there some other mods out there. For example, here is a link to a spreader made from wood:

http://tinyurl.com/ckkbwtp

A really nice job!

I'd be interested in other posts or links to mods folks might have to share.

Post Extras:

MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/22/11

Loc: Mendon, MA

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472183 - 10/15/12 07:42 PM

Good stuff!

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5472508 - 10/15/12 11:34 PM Attachment (55 downloads)

Finish off your azimuth mod by sanding the paint off of the contact surfaces between the mount and the tripod. Use painter's tape to mask off the surfaces you don't want to sand. I also put the mount in a bag to keep it clean. Put a thin film of super lube on the surfaces to help protect them and reduce friction. Makes it much easier to adjust.

I also put super lube on alt bolt and wheel.

Got the idea here:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4198974/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/28/vc/1

Edited by Phillip Easton (10/15/12 11:39 PM)

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Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5472519 - 10/15/12 11:40 PM Attachment (58 downloads)

The bottom of the mount.

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5472525 - 10/15/12 11:45 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, Phillip!

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5472529 - 10/15/12 11:47 PM

Here's a link to an excellent wood accessory shelf that fits over the stock spreader, made by Midnight Dan:

http://tinyurl.com/cq62zg5

Edited by dvb (10/15/12 11:49 PM)

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5476519 - 10/18/12 08:24 AM

Okay, I finally got around to doing a polar alignment after doing azi and alt mods/tweaks and wow what a difference. After struggling with trying to do fine adjustments it was a huge difference! No more jerky motion everything was smooth as butter.

Summarize:

1 - Round off the azi adjustment bolts
2 - Sand off the paint and lube mount/tripod contact surfaces
3 - Lube the pivot bolts (at the back) for alt adjustment and the inside of the adjustment wheel.
4 - Use a longer bolt to put in the alt adjustment wheel. I found a long screw with an actual plastic knob on the end at Ace Hardware.

If you have an iEQ45 and do nothing else do these.

Cheers!
Phillip

Edited by Phillip Easton (10/18/12 08:26 AM)

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5476807 - 10/18/12 11:56 AM

Post Extras:

Astronewb
sage

Reged: 09/19/11

Loc: Connecticut

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5477647 - 10/18/12 08:02 PM

Quote:

Okay, I finally got around to doing a polar alignment after doing azi and alt mods/tweaks and wow what a difference. After struggling with trying to do fine adjustments it was a huge difference! No more jerky motion everything was smooth as butter.

Summarize:

1 - Round off the azi adjustment bolts
2 - Sand off the paint and lube mount/tripod contact surfaces
3 - Lube the pivot bolts (at the back) for alt adjustment and the inside of the adjustment wheel.
4 - Use a longer bolt to put in the alt adjustment wheel. I found a long screw with an actual plastic knob on the end at Ace Hardware.

If you have an iEQ45 and do nothing else do these.

Cheers!
Phillip

Ditto the above...! Also, you can try some of these mods:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/72157629679446064/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/72157631021687076/

Thanks for the informative thread.

Cheers,

Paul

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5477764 - 10/18/12 09:20 PM

Excellent advice, Phillip! I've put those mods on my todo list! Thanks!

-Dan

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5478580 - 10/19/12 10:55 AM

Quote:

Excellent advice, Phillip! I've put those mods on my todo list! Thanks!

-Dan

Dan,

No problem, I am glad I went back through that long thread I referenced and tried out some of the ideas. I could not believe what a difference it made in doing the polar alignment. My goto's were better that night as well. Going to be going to our club's dark site tonight so actually looking forward to setting it up again.

Cheers!
Phillip

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5480231 - 10/20/12 11:40 AM

Quote:

Ditto the above...! Also, you can try some of these mods:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/72157629679446064/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/72157631021687076/

Thanks for the informative thread.

Cheers,

Paul

Those are very impressive mods, Paul - I enjoyed the Flickr slideshows.

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5496292 - 10/30/12 02:37 PM

Gents,

I updated my site with additional images for the mods/tweaks I have done in case anyone is interested.

http://www.the3dwizard.net/index.php/astronomy/ieq45

Cheers!

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5496349 - 10/30/12 03:06 PM

Just completed Phil's list of mods and they make a very nice difference in smoothness of altitude and azimuth adjustments!

The only thing I did a little different was to completely separate the base from the mount head. That way I didn't have to put the mount head in a plastic bag to keep it clean while sanding the paint off of the base surface. Plus it opened up all the screws, threaded holes and adjusters for easy lubing.

-Dan

Post Extras:

Wembley2000
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: NW Ohio

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5496405 - 10/30/12 03:52 PM

I sent Aeroquest Machining my ieq45 worm and Jim made me a new one. When the skies clear, I will let you all know how it goes with pempro graphs.

Wem

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Wembley2000]
#5496435 - 10/30/12 04:12 PM

Dan,

Wish I had thought of removing the base, LOL

Wem,

Certainly want to hear how this works out!

Cheers!
Phillip

Post Extras:

Astronewb
sage

Reged: 09/19/11

Loc: Connecticut

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Wembley2000]
#5496474 - 10/30/12 04:42 PM

Quote:

I sent Aeroquest Machining my ieq45 worm and Jim made me a new one. When the skies clear, I will let you all know how it goes with pempro graphs.

Wem

Jim at Aeroquest makes a nice worm. I installed one about a week ago and compared the stock worm to the Aeroquest worm using the TE Recorder software on my TEM. Here are screenshots of the results. Good luck with yours.

Stock worm: [img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8139537570_291645...
No TDM Stock Worm by Astronewb2011, on Flickr

Aeroquest worm: [img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8139506881_f78c30...
No TDM Aeroquest Worm by Astronewb2011, on Flickr

Just a simple bolt on reduced the PE from 32 arc-seconds to 19 arc-seconds. A very cost effective modification.

Cheers,

Paul

Post Extras:

Wembley2000
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: NW Ohio

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5496515 - 10/30/12 05:04 PM

Ditto the above...! Also, you can try some of these mods:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/721576296...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/astronewb2011/sets/721576310...

Thanks for the informative thread.

Cheers,

Paul

Paul's tensioners are also a very worthwhile upgrade, really helps to smooth out the frequency spectrum. Lowered my pe by roughly 20%, smoothed out a 20 second error due to the belt to nothing.

Wem

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5496525 - 10/30/12 05:11 PM

Paul or Wem,

How much did the worm cost? I have gotten my PE down from 40 (replacement worm from iOptron) to 20 arc-secs by adjusting mesh and using a stiffer spring. Wonder if the Areoquest worm would help to bring it down further of is the low 20's about the best we can hope for without PEC or the TDM?

Cheers!

Post Extras:

Wembley2000
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: NW Ohio

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Phillip Easton]
#5496553 - 10/30/12 05:28 PM

Phillip,

The worm was 105 plus shipping. I will let you know if it will help you out when I get a chance to give it a try. If you are already at 20 and I get results close to Paul's, it would not be worth while for you. I need to wait until probably thursday or friday for Sandy to clear out of my neck of the woods.

Wem

Post Extras:

orlyandico
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/10/09

Loc: Singapore

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Wembley2000]
#5496847 - 10/30/12 08:38 PM

I put an Aeroquest worm on my CGEM. It reduced the fundamental periodic error from 29" to 15"

However - the CGEM has a huge non-integral 2.6667X periodic error due to the gearbox - and on my CGEM the amplitude of this harmonic is 20"

Hence the Aeroquest didn't really reduce the overall PE very much (net-net PE went down by about 3").

Post Extras:

chboss
professor emeritus

Reged: 03/24/08

Loc: Zurich Switzerland

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: orlyandico]
#5497227 - 10/31/12 02:17 AM

Nice information regarding optimizing the periodic error.
I need to measure mine and see how big the error is.
The tip with the stronger springs makes sense to me, I always felt the pre tension on the RA block was too low.

best regards
Chris

Post Extras:

Astronewb
sage

Reged: 09/19/11

Loc: Connecticut

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: chboss]
#5497416 - 10/31/12 08:32 AM

Quote:

Nice information regarding optimizing the periodic error.
I need to measure mine and see how big the error is.
The tip with the stronger springs makes sense to me, I always felt the pre tension on the RA block was too low.

best regards
Chris

Just a note, be careful with the spring, too much tension will result in increased motor loading and greatly increased gear noise when slewing. Proper mesh is the key ingredient to lowering PE. As is reducing all play in the housing/worm to minimum, ie; zero play.

Clear skies,

Paul

Post Extras:

Astronewb
sage

Reged: 09/19/11

Loc: Connecticut

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5499214 - 11/01/12 11:08 AM

I forgot to mention an important mod while reading the thread. Just remembered...you all must have experienced the shift in the FOV if you accidentaly touch the polar scope focuser while doing a polar align?

This shift of FOV occurs when you turn the focuser element also.

Run down to your toolbox, or hardware store and grab a roll of Tefon Pipe Thread tape. Unscrew the focuser from the polar scope...wrap a turn of Teflon pipe tape around the threads and then screw it back in. Voila! The focuser is now significantly tighter in the housing, and will not shift FOV when you touch it.

This works on the SmartEQ polar scope as well, and probably any polar scope with a threaded focuser element.

Cheers,

Paul

Post Extras:

dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5500339 - 11/02/12 02:03 AM

Thanks Paul!

Post Extras:

Wembley2000
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: NW Ohio

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: dvb]
#5500522 - 11/02/12 08:19 AM

Also anyone looking for a hand controller extension cable, the one for the cgem scopestuff sells will work. I had one left over from my cgem experience and it works fine.

Brian

Post Extras:

Wembley2000
super member

Reged: 01/07/12

Loc: NW Ohio

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Wembley2000]
#5506393 - 11/06/12 07:11 AM

Quote:

I sent Aeroquest Machining my ieq45 worm and Jim made me a new one. When the skies clear, I will let you all know how it goes with pempro graphs.

Wem

Finally a clear night lastnight. My results with the Aeroquest worm were very similiar to Paul's, 19 p-p error. These results were much better than my original stock worm, 51 p-p, but about the same as my replacement worm iOptron sent me. I can post graphs later today.

I am going to be putting the replacement worm back in the mount tonight as its native PE is a little smoother than the aeroquest worm.

Brian

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Wembley2000]
#5506463 - 11/06/12 08:21 AM

Brian,

Thanks for the update. I went from 60 to 30 with a worm I also got from iOptron. Finally got into the 20's when I changed the spring and took more time to align. Going to put on Paul's tensioner tonight and see how it rolls

Post Extras:

Phillip Easton
super member

Reged: 12/24/10

Loc: DFW

Re: A few iEQ45 mods new

[Re: Astronewb]
#5535890 - 11/23/12 05:17 PM

Quote:

I forgot to mention an important mod while reading the thread. Just remembered...you all must have experienced the shift in the FOV if you accidentaly touch the polar scope focuser while doing a polar align?

This shift of FOV occurs when you turn the focuser element also.

Run down to your toolbox, or hardware store and grab a roll of Tefon Pipe Thread tape. Unscrew the focuser from the polar scope...wrap a turn of Teflon pipe tape around the threads and then screw it back in. Voila! The focuser is now significantly tighter in the housing, and will not shift FOV when you touch it.

This works on the SmartEQ polar scope as well, and probably any polar scope with a threaded focuser element.

Cheers,

Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the tip. Just did it to mine and it makes a huge difference when trying to focus. Also expect it to stay in focus better now as well.

Cheers!
Phillip

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