Doc Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 As some of you might be aware the 300P Auto dob I've got has never tracked well and the backlash on the gears is terrible, I have tried numerous times to fix this but I have had no luck. Well today I removed the gears completely and now have a manual dob once more, with no backlash and perfect balance. It turns in Azimuth very well indeed, in Altitude I need to make up a 120mm x 3mm PTFE washer but even without this spacer it moves very well indeed, balance is spot on as well. The job was very easy, took about 1 hour to complete, All the motors, encoders and covers are still in place only items I removed were the gears from the shafts. Overall it's like my old 16" dob, fully manual, I'm one happy bunny now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Nice one Mick, you have been on about doing that for some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 You know I love the techy goto stuff as it makes life easier sometimes but a lot of times it just complicates things and can if your not careful ruin a good night so getting back to basics with no goto/drives etc I can fully understand Mick, that's why I love my old F15, nowt to go wrong except me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DaveJW Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 My auto dob (same model as Mick's) also packed up tracking for no apparent reason & if I can't fix it I'll be following suit. A warning then if anyone is ever thinking of buying a Sky-Watcher Flexi-tube auto dob (new if you can still get them, or second hand) - OTA great, tracking very dodgy indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 Thats it Phil, if it goes wrong it's my fault and no one elses, this is just the way I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Shame that such an expensive add-on is not working as it should. Still, a 12 inch dob is an awesome scope even if it is manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 I didn't buy it new so didn't pay to much for it Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DaveJW Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I didn't buy it new so didn't pay to much for it Mark. Same here, mine was less than a year old when I got it & the tracking worked beautifully at first. Don't know why it degraded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Was there any noticeable wear on the gears Mick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 The gears are aluminium and actually looked OK. The brass worm gear that connects to the encoder had some wear but again pretty small. It's easy to put back together so we will see what the next observing night brings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Analogue Man. (Good tune) Nice one Mick, saves messing about doesn't it. Put computers on rifles, it will stop all wars. Well apart from the ones where they stab each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 16, 2013 Author Share Posted April 16, 2013 Regarding the spacer I have to make up. I found 3 CD's are perfect for the job, they have exactly the right outside diameter and bore size. Very smooth indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Nice one Mick - now I know what to do if mine ever packs in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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