Astronomy telescope tech problem

[asomaro]

Any astronomers out there that can fix telescopes??

I have one of these that I've not used for a while:

[IMG]http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=17949&stc=1&d=1284712445[/IMG]

It's a Celestron Nexstar telescope.

Problem: The motorised base is working in the vertical plane but not in the horizontal. Anyone know how to fix it?

Cheers,

[Aidi]

Probably find that the gears have come out of alignment. Do you get any motor noise when you press the left/right on the remote?

If its out of warranty, then open it up and take a look. They are not perticularly difficult to get into.

Seen this happen on a couple of the CPC 800's which is a few models up from yours... not had it happen on mine as yet though!

[Balders]

my scope can be manually locked off in either plane, bit of an obvious one, but does it have free movement when moving by hand?

[Aidi]

The other thing it could be is the horizontal clutch. Might be worth looking at that as well as the gearing

[asomaro]

[quote=Aidi;533622]Probably find that the gears have come out of alignment. Do you get any motor noise when you press the left/right on the remote?

If its out of warranty, then open it up and take a look. They are not perticularly difficult to get into.

Seen this happen on a couple of the CPC 800's which is a few models up from yours... not had it happen on mine as yet though![/quote]

Hi Aidi,

Yes mate - I get motor noise when trying to move left and right. It's well out of warranty so I not problem in taking it to bits, the only problem is that I have absolutely no idea about the innards of these things (I can build a heli though :)), any tips about taking it apart and what to look for?

Cheers,

[Aidi]

if the motor is working then it pretty much has to be the gearing.

If you take the top off it should be a set of floating gears which drives from the motor to the drive train which gives the horizontal movement.

If it was me doing it, i would take the top off and take a look, take some photo's as you go so you can refer back for re-assembly.

The guts of these things change so much between various models, but Celestron seem to keep much the same.

Take the lid off and take a look, it will probably be quite obvious as to what the problem is when the motor is running back and forth.

[cambs flyer]

I used to do fixes to Meade LX200's & 90's so I can imagine the drive arrangement is pretty much the same.

Don't be too worried about taking the "lid" off, apart from the encoder board and GOTO gears I'd guess a grub has come loose somewhere as said before in the drive screw and clutching area, if the motor is still screaming it's balls off is defo' a good sign not too much has gone wrong.

I guess you didn't do the Kelling Heath star camp last weekend, had so we could have meet up and had a look, Rother Valley Optics are quite knowledgeable on such matters, and would be a good place to start if you find it a little daunting. :)

[asomaro]

Thanks guys, now fixed. took it to bits and found the pinion on the bottom gear had slipped out of alignment, adjusted and now working. I'm glad it was a simple problem! Thanks for the advice.

cheers,

[frog]

Nice one Simon, I have a little Celestron spotter I use now and again, love it!

[url=http://frogastro.blogspot.com/]frogbmth astro blog[/url]

Dark nights are drawing in means it will get dusted off again :)

[Aidi]

Nice to hear you have it fixed!

Wont be long till my LS 6" comes out. Gotta love this scope, switch it on and it self aligns!

[sacko]

[quote=frog;534861]Nice one Simon, I have a little Celestron spotter I use now and again, love it!

[URL="http://frogastro.blogspot.com/"]frogbmth astro blog[/URL]

Dark nights are drawing in means it will get dusted off again :)[/quote]

Not really my thing, but that is pretty cool! :cheers2:

[asomaro]

[quote=frog;534861]Nice one Simon, I have a little Celestron spotter I use now and again, love it!

[URL="http://frogastro.blogspot.com/"]frogbmth astro blog[/URL]

Dark nights are drawing in means it will get dusted off again :)[/quote]
Just read your blog, very nice telescope! I think my interest may have been rekindled! I actually got into it for the photography but got distracted, perhaps its time to take another look.

Cheers,