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
Orion4211
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey
LXD 75 RA problem
      #3066657 - 04/25/09 04:54 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Ok so I bought another counter weight for my LXD 75. I have an 8" SCT which I wanted to mount with my 80mm Refractor. When I put both weights on, I noticed that in the RA slew, the gears were not lining up together. The whole RA housing pulled back a little bit. (if this makes sense) With one scope and one weight I am not having a problem... But I am with both. Anyone know why this is happening? And if so, how to fix it. The housing for the RA does wiggle a little bit if I move it. Any ideas on how to tighten it so this doesnt happen?

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
jgraham
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 12/02/04

Loc: Dayton, Ohio
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: Orion4211]
      #3066748 - 04/25/09 06:08 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Wow, it sounds like the whole RA motor assembly might be loose. This assembly is held in place by a single hex key (Allen) bolt that's located on the under side of the polar assembly just below the polar scope. If you reach up inside with an Allen wrench (I forget what size, 5mm?) you should be able to tighten the bolt. When I adjust mine I keep an eye on the drive gearsto make sure they're closely aligned as I tighten the mounting bolt.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Orion4211
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: jgraham]
      #3066754 - 04/25/09 06:11 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Ahh. I see. I have had the mount for about 4 years now and I have never adjusted a bolt or anything. Maybe its time...

The mount should be able to handle two of the 10lb counter weights right?

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Orion4211
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: Orion4211]
      #3066766 - 04/25/09 06:17 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

OK i just looked at that bolt and it was loose. I tightened it up. I guess 4 years if use caused it to get loose a little

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
FoxTrot
sage


Reged: 06/01/06

Loc: Melbourne, Australia
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: Orion4211]
      #3067470 - 04/26/09 02:51 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Quote:

Ahh. I see. I have had the mount for about 4 years now and I have never adjusted a bolt or anything. Maybe its time...

The mount should be able to handle two of the 10lb counter weights right?



4 years of use and no need to tighten anything, consider yourself very fortunate! Other things to watch would be the silver and brass cog/gears of the motors and worms, they can de-couple and become slack if the locking screws work loose over time. You will need to take off the motors and open the plastic 'shells' to tighten if needed. You can inspect if there is any cog slipping via the little side windows, and then play around with the RA/Dec controls on the HC box.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Orion4211
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: FoxTrot]
      #3067786 - 04/26/09 09:29 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

OK. I have checked out the slipping and I have not found any slack. I was thinking recently about greasing everything with new grease, but maybe I should just leave it alone.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
jgraham
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 12/02/04

Loc: Dayton, Ohio
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: Orion4211]
      #3071733 - 04/27/09 10:58 PM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

Nahhh, that's actually a good idea. I usually take both the dec and RA assemblies off about once a year to clean and re-grease everything. It's also a good time to check the alignment of the polar scope and re-train the drives. There used to be a PDF file on OPT's web site that had tune-up tips for the LXD75. There might be something similar on LXD75.com.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Orion4211
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/13/05

Loc: North New Jersey
Re: LXD 75 RA problem new [Re: jgraham]
      #3072551 - 04/28/09 11:07 AM
Edit post Edit   Reply to this post Reply   Reply to this post Quote Quick Reply: Quick Reply  

oh thanks, I will check out OPT for that.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1

Previous thread Previous   Index   Next thread Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
13 registered and 26 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: 396

Jump to

CN Forums Home


Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics