Another Successful Surgery

Discuss Celestron mounts.
Post Reply
User avatar
JayTee United States of America
Universal Ambassador
Articles: 2
Offline
Posts: 5619
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 3:23 am
4
Location: Idaho, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Another Successful Surgery

#1

Post by JayTee »


As a result of my recent trip, my Celestron SLT Mount azimuth axis had developed a significant amount of slop. It took nearly 10 seconds to get a reversal at the highest motor speed. I believe this came about from inadvertently moving the mount along the azimuth axis with the power off. Many places warn, "don't do this."

I researched how to perform the procedure to fix this, it was relatively straightforward and easy. Included are the link (use only the first two pictures) and attached written procedures.

As it turns out the first steps are quite simple; when you remove the central base bolt the base comes off of the top part of the mount. Now you'll see a large gear attached to the base. Next, inspect that the large gear is firmly attached to the base itself. In my case it was not it, this is what was generating the slop. Fixing this was just a simple matter of tightening the two screws that held that large gear to the base portion of the mount.

The difficult part came in trying to reassemble the mount. This is where I needed my son's help (mostly his eyes). Putting the base with the large gear attached back onto the top portion of the mount so it was seated correctly to mesh with the pinion gear that drives that large gear was really difficult. As it turns out, that large gear can be positioned off-center of the rotational axis and you have to make, in our case, several dozen minute adjustments trying to find that perfect spot that would allow the two gears to correctly mesh. After dozens more attempts at trying to get it to mesh, it finally did. I think it was more a situation where we just got lucky as opposed to we knew what we were doing. In the end, it all went back together correctly, it all works correctly and the slop is gone. So if you undertake this surgery just be advised that the actual removal of the slop is easy the difficult part is trying to get everything back together.

SLT Repair.pdf
(296.34 KiB) Downloaded 142 times
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/5699 ... gt-mounts/

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."

Image
Don Quixote
Articles: 0

Re: Another Successful Surgery

#2

Post by Don Quixote »


This is a scary proposition JT.
My SLT did something like this the last time I used it. I have been reluctant to delve in. But your post has shed light where there was none before.
Thank you.
User avatar
Richard South Africa
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1150
Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 6:55 am
4
Location: South Africa/Czech Rep
Status:
Offline

Re: Another Successful Surgery

#3

Post by Richard »


Yes I have had 2 SLT mounts that the screws are loose and give a lot of play , these mounts are getting on with age and lets be honest they are starter go to mounts but work so well Celestron got this one 100%
Reflectors GSO 200 Dobs
Refractors None
SCT C5 on a SLT mount
Mak 150 Bosma on a EQ5
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

Return to “Celestron mounts”