Question about EQ-6 lock lever

Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?
2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Thanks for any help.

Carlos

I can't help you with question 2, as I'm not familiar with this mount. I
can tell you, however, that proper balancing of the scope on the mount is an
absolute must. Not only must you balance the counter weights properly, but
you must also balance the OTA as it is positioned on the mount.

Al


"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message
...
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced
the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a
GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?
2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Thanks for any help.

Carlos

I can't help you with question 2, as I'm not familiar with this mount. I
can tell you, however, that proper balancing of the scope on the mount is an
absolute must. Not only must you balance the counter weights properly, but
you must also balance the OTA as it is positioned on the mount.

Al


"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message
...
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced
the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a
GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?
2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Thanks for any help.

Carlos

"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message .. .
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?

Basically, yes, though a (very) slight off-balance on the RA axis is
important to assure the drivetrain is working against backlash for
proper tracking [important for astrophotography, though the EQ6 mount
is generally ackowledged as "visual only"].

2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Remove the lever (and bolt) and see if anything's at the bottom of the hole.
There should be a small brass plug. Many replace it with a similar-sized
plug cut from an old leather belt (or similar) for better clutch action.

But the EQ6 is generally poorly-assembled at the factory, and very often
debris will be found in and around all the gears, etc. And the grease Synta
uses freezes solid during cold-night observing.

Strongly suggest you join the "EQ6" Yahoo group (which also serves the Orion
Atlas mount which is essentially identical).

"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message .. .
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?

Basically, yes, though a (very) slight off-balance on the RA axis is
important to assure the drivetrain is working against backlash for
proper tracking [important for astrophotography, though the EQ6 mount
is generally ackowledged as "visual only"].

2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Remove the lever (and bolt) and see if anything's at the bottom of the hole.
There should be a small brass plug. Many replace it with a similar-sized
plug cut from an old leather belt (or similar) for better clutch action.

But the EQ6 is generally poorly-assembled at the factory, and very often
debris will be found in and around all the gears, etc. And the grease Synta
uses freezes solid during cold-night observing.

Strongly suggest you join the "EQ6" Yahoo group (which also serves the Orion
Atlas mount which is essentially identical).

Thanks Thad I'll follow your advice.

Carlos


"Thad Floryan" wrote in message
om...
"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message
.. .
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced
the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem
with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a
GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without
problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?

Basically, yes, though a (very) slight off-balance on the RA axis is
important to assure the drivetrain is working against backlash for
proper tracking [important for astrophotography, though the EQ6 mount
is generally ackowledged as "visual only"].

2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Remove the lever (and bolt) and see if anything's at the bottom of the
hole.
There should be a small brass plug. Many replace it with a similar-sized
plug cut from an old leather belt (or similar) for better clutch action.

But the EQ6 is generally poorly-assembled at the factory, and very often
debris will be found in and around all the gears, etc. And the grease
Synta
uses freezes solid during cold-night observing.

Strongly suggest you join the "EQ6" Yahoo group (which also serves the
Orion
Atlas mount which is essentially identical).

Thanks Thad I'll follow your advice.

Carlos


"Thad Floryan" wrote in message
om...
"Carlos Saraiva" wrote in message
.. .
Hi

Can someone help me with this problem (or maybe not a problem).
I used to observe with my LX200 12" (fork mount) and never have balanced
the
scope, but never found problems, maybe some tracking faults.

I recently bought a EQ-6 mount for my Taka FC-100 and found a problem
with
the RA lock lever. Maybe it is normal, I don't know, I have never used a
GEM
before.

The problem I found is about the lock lever pressure necessary for the
clutch to work. When I press the RA lock lever a little bit harder to
"really" lock, the RA axis seems to stop moving. But when I balance the
system and press the lever "half way" the RA axis moves without
problems,
and if I loose a bit less then "half way" it seems to "slide" in certain
positions of the axis.

What I want to know is:
1) To use a GEM balancing is a must ?

Basically, yes, though a (very) slight off-balance on the RA axis is
important to assure the drivetrain is working against backlash for
proper tracking [important for astrophotography, though the EQ6 mount
is generally ackowledged as "visual only"].

2) Does the lock lever clutch system of my EQ-6 needs some "tunning" ?

Remove the lever (and bolt) and see if anything's at the bottom of the
hole.
There should be a small brass plug. Many replace it with a similar-sized
plug cut from an old leather belt (or similar) for better clutch action.

But the EQ6 is generally poorly-assembled at the factory, and very often
debris will be found in and around all the gears, etc. And the grease
Synta
uses freezes solid during cold-night observing.

Strongly suggest you join the "EQ6" Yahoo group (which also serves the
Orion
Atlas mount which is essentially identical).