· 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   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m       #5676656 - 02/12/13 09:52 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I've had my iEQ45 for well over a year now and I just realized something. Even though my scope shipped with the modified dec clutch, the hand controller is not the newer 8407 model, but the older 8406 model. So maybe I got shipped the wrong controller, it works fine, but I feel like I should be using the newer controller. Any thoughts? The next issue is play in both the RA axis and DEC axis. I never really thought this was a big deal, espeically since I have done 7 minute guided subs. What is the easiest way to remove the play or do I just have to live with it until I can afford an AP900? Lastly the motors seem to be making more noise then usual. I noticed tonight while tracking Jupiter the RA motor was rather loud. More loud then I remember it in the past. So I set the mount up inside my house, and the RA motor still was louder than I remember. And the dec motor was also making noise. Any ideas on this? As always thanks for the help! Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5676698 - 02/12/13 10:12 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   increased noise may be due to improper balance. Generally you would want to be east-heavy. On my CGEM it is noisier when moving east (in the direction of greater weight) than the other direction. how much slop is there in both axes? if it's like 1/10 of the field of a 32mm eyepiece then that's normal and you'll never be rid of it unless you go the AP route. incidentally i have a 20-year old AP and a 2-year old AP. the 20-year old also has slop (although less than my CGEM). Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: orlyandico]       #5676725 - 02/12/13 10:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The motors were making the noise with my scope on the mount and when the scope was off of the mount. I can't recall exactly, but the slop seems a lot great than 1/10 the field of my 30mm. I would guess close to 1/4. Right now if I grab the counter weight shaft I can get the whole mount to wiggle. It's hard to describe exactly how much it wiggles, but its quite noticable. Also with the DEC completely locked down I still can use the scope to rotate the axis without much difficulty. Post Extras:       orlyandico Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/10/09 Loc: Singapore Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5676778 - 02/12/13 11:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wiggle with the clutches locked is normal. On my CGEM the end of the shaft moves back and forth about 2mm when locked. If it's more than that then perhaps you need to adjust the worm mesh. Post Extras:       nomosnow sage Reged: 03/21/11 Loc: Fort Saskatchewan,Ab ,Canada Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5676790 - 02/12/13 11:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   "Also with the DEC completely locked down I still can use the scope to rotate the axis without much difficulty." So.. you are pushing on the telescope and actually moving the dec axis??? There is something wrong here as the worm wheel is coming out of mesh with the worm gear . These two are spring loaded. If you are pushing on the telescope and moving the dec axis you may be damaging the 2 gears as they bump over each other. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: nomosnow]       #5676801 - 02/12/13 11:26 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yeah it wiggles more than 2mm. And yes I'm pushing the scope and the whole dec axis is moving. It's not easy moving, but it still moves. I figured it wasn't good. Post Extras:       psandelle sage Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Los Angeles Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5676853 - 02/13/13 12:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Have you emailed the iOptron support people? They've always been very responsive with all the questions I've had. Paul Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: psandelle]       #5676854 - 02/13/13 12:06 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'll give them a call in the am. Post Extras:       psandelle sage Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Los Angeles Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5676867 - 02/13/13 12:22 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I don't know about their phone courtesy, but I've found they get back to me in 24 hours or less with email (even on the weekend) almost every time. Good luck, too. At the very least get the new HC, and I hope there's an easy way to fix the wiggles. Paul Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: psandelle]       #5676873 - 02/13/13 12:26 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks. I've had good luck with calling them in the past. Post Extras:       chboss professor emeritus Reged: 03/24/08 Loc: Zurich Switzerland Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5677003 - 02/13/13 03:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have the one with the 8406 controller and the new clutch in DEC. The new type of controller and control boards came out later if I am not mistaken.... The play in the axes may be due to the spring loaded motor assembly. Unlike on other mounts where the gear mesh is fixed, it is spring loaded on the iEQ45, which makes both axes feel "soft". On the Yahoo groups you can find some tuning tips for improvements. But if guiding and Goto's work properly why bother? best regards Chris Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: chboss]       #5677344 - 02/13/13 10:11 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the info Chris. That explains why I have the 8406 controller. Post Extras:       EFT Vendor - Deep Space Products Reged: 05/07/07 Loc: Phoenix, AZ Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5677367 - 02/13/13 10:25 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As someone else suggested, if it is working, you may not need to fix it. However, if the mount is balanced and you are getting increased noise, that is the opposite of what you would expect if the worm mesh is too loose (resulting in too much play in the axes). I suspect the noise increase is a balance issue. If the axis slop is too bothersome, then you will probably need to increase the tension on the spring loading. Over time and with use, I would expect the system to loosen up a bit. Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: EFT]       #5677392 - 02/13/13 10:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for your input Ed. Post Extras:       Astronewb sage Reged: 09/19/11 Loc: Connecticut Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5677990 - 02/13/13 04:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, let me add some comments on the play. As others have stated, the RA and DEC worm housings are spring loaded to ensure proper mesh. If you rock the RA or DEC too hard, you can see the whole housing assy moving..that's normal and will introduce a lot of perceived play. With an ota on the mount..just place your hands on the lens and focuser and very lightly rock it...if you hear a 'clicking noise', there is probably too much play on your housing or your worm. Process is the same on the RA axis, only hold the counterweight and the center of the ota. With your 7 minute guided subs, as you said, it's probably not a big deal. To eliminate any excessive play, you would need to disassemble the worm housings. To check for excess play on the RA worm..just remove the cover and hold your finger on the worm pully and housing at the same time..gently rock the top center of the ota,,,if there is excess play you will feel it in your finger as the pully moves away from and back toward the housing. This is worm play, and is adjustable. PM me if you need to do this. Same with the DEC housing The other area to check while the cover is off is the housing to hinge play..same scenario, but put your finger (or a dial indicator) at the hinge and housing and rock with your other hand very gently..you will feel the play if it is present..if it's a lot, you can actually see it. If excess play is present, you can loosen the cap screws on just one of the hinges and press it tightly against the housing and retighten. Mark the hinge to housing location with a fine marker line before loosening..just to make sure you retain the proper mesh point. Hope the info helps someone... Paul Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: Astronewb]       #5678017 - 02/13/13 05:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Paul, thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I'll try the play test when I get home and go from there. Post Extras:       Phillip Easton super member Reged: 12/24/10 Loc: DFW Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5678253 - 02/13/13 07:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a video I made and posted which shows the housing to hinge play, (that Paul posted about), in my mount. This was from the factory and once I corrected it my GOTO's were much, much better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swyO7Emd63w BTW mine has the modified clutch and the 8406 HC. The 8407 needs new controller boards so it is not an easy upgrade. Cheers! Edited by Phillip Easton (02/13/13 08:02 PM) Post Extras:       zjc26138 Loved By All Reged: 02/24/05 Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: Phillip Easton]       #5678309 - 02/13/13 08:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Phillip! Yeah I figured it wouldn't be an easy upgrade. Post Extras:       mgwhittle scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 08/24/11 Loc: Chattanooga, TN Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: zjc26138]       #5678612 - 02/13/13 11:45 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Actually, it is an easy upgrade and will cost you $120. You just unplug the boards, plug the new ones in and plug in the new hand controller. I did this upgrade but wouldn't recommend spending the money unless you just really want that new hand controller and one of the features it has. As far as your other issues, Phillip Easton recommendation on getting the henge play and gear mesh adjustment right is really a good idea. It's not hard to do either if you have a bit of mechanical skill and follow iOptrons instructions. I also installed a spring with just a bit more tension on the RA motor housing. I cannot at this point comment on the good sense of doing this.......it has made GOTOs after a meridian flip much better but I am not sure if it is putting too much stress on the motor housing. Time will tell on that one I bet. Post Extras:       Phillip Easton super member Reged: 12/24/10 Loc: DFW Re: Some issues with iOptron iEQ45m [Re: mgwhittle]       #5678924 - 02/14/13 08:06 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Oops, Mark is right. I chose the wrong word and so left you with the wrong impression. I was using easy as in deciding to spend the money to do the upgrade. The actual swapping of the boards is easy to do. I have attempted to outline the differences between the two on my website if you are interested. Mark, thanks for the update on the cost. $120 isn't too bad. Also Paul suggested checking the play and the mesh first, just want to give credit where it is due Cheers! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 8 registered and 28 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: 1432 Jump to *Announcements and News* -----   Cloudy Nights Announcements   Discussion of CN Articles, Reviews, and Reports   Celestial Events*General Astronomy* -----   Beginners Forum   General Observing and Astronomy   Outreach   Light Pollution*Equipment Discussions* -----   ATM, Optics and DIY Forum   Binoculars   Binoviewers   Cats & Casses   Classic Telescopes   Equipment   Eyepieces   Mounts   Observatories   Reflectors   Refractors    Video and Electronically Assisted Astronomy*Astrophotography and Sketching* -----   Beginning and Intermediate Imaging   Film Astrophotography   DSLR & Digital Camera Astro Imaging & Processing   CCD Imaging & Processing   Solar System Imaging & Processing   Sketching   Astro Imaging/Sketching Contest *Observing* -----   NEO   Planetary and Solar System Observing   Lunar Observing   Deep Sky Observing   Double Star Observing   Solar   Variable Star Observing and Radio Astronomy*Telescope Specific Forums* -----   Celestron NexStar    NexStar GPS / CPC Telescopes   Questar Forum   Meade ACF/RCX / LX / GPS    Meade ETX*Speciality Forums* -----   Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo   NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum) and NEAIC (Northeast Astro Imaging Conference)   AstroArt   Astronomy Clubs and Star Parties   Astronomy Software & Computers   AstroWebsites   Science! Astronomy & Space Exploration, and Others   Space Rocks   Stellar Media*Swap and Shop* -----   Shop and Swap Audio Components*CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements* -----   Vendor and Group Announcements*International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Forums are now closed.* -----   IYA Archive Info CN Forums Home

Cloudy Nights LLC Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics