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Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 

Unfortunately, that was not my experience. The cleaned surfaces coated with a thin layer of assembly lube did not slip together easily. Even a couple of taps with a dead blow mallet did not make me feel that I could force them together without possible damage, likely my inexperience as this was my first time doing this overhaul. The small amount of heat gave enough additional clearance for easy assembly.
Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 

On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 08:13 PM, LCWilson wrote:
Thank you for your advice. I also got some assistance from Michael Herman, he mentioned the same things all of you did. This is what I had to do.
I cleaned the ring gear and heated it in the oven at the lowest setting, about 150 degF for about 15 min.?
When heated, I coated the mated areas of the parts with a thin layer of automotive assembly lube.?
The parts slid together easily without catching or jamming.?
Thank you all for your assistance.
There is no need to heat the the worm wheel for assembly. As you experienced during disassembly they are machined to fine tolerances so if there is a bit of lubricant, the surfaces are clean and correctly aligned they just slip together just as they slipped apart.?

During assembly? Losmandy does not use heat to assemble them and you don't need heat to assemble them either.?
?
--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astrospheric Weather for Imagers - Click on my sig!
Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 

Thank you for your advice. I also got some assistance from Michael Herman, he mentioned the same things all of you did. This is what I had to do.
I cleaned the ring gear and heated it in the oven at the lowest setting, about 150 degF for about 15 min.?
When heated, I coated the mated areas of the parts with a thin layer of automotive assembly lube.?
The parts slid together easily without catching or jamming.?
Thank you all for your assistance.
Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 


These part are machined to tight tolerances and even the slightest misalignment of the bearing ID with the tube will cause the bearing to jam on the tube. You will have the same issue with the worm wheel. Just take your time and whatever you do do not force it!? ?

--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astrospheric Weather for Imagers - Click on my sig!
Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 

I would suggest moving this question to the Losmandy_Users group.?
They're also discussions there regarding lubrication, in particular with regard to ring/worm lubrication, that may be of interest.?
Re: G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 
Edited

Did you try to apply some grease to the post and the bearing? Just a tiny amount to reduce surface friction between the two.


On Wed, May 22, 2024 at 12:11 AM, LCWilson wrote:

Hello all, I know this is not a Gemini question, but I believe if anyone has seen this problem, they would be here. I have torn my G11 down to lubricate it and check the bearings.? After giving a thorough cleaning, I attempted to reassemble the mount. The trouble is with the RA axis. I am not able to slide the ring gear back onto the mount. It came off quite easily, and it was covered in grease. After cleaning and regreasing the upper thrust bearing and the ring gear bearing with Super Lube, I am not able to slide the bearing in the ring gear over the post it fits on. Is there are trick to this? Should I be using a different grease. I do not want to force too hard and get the bearing stuck. Your advice would be appreciated.
G11 Reassembly - Ring Gear

 

Hello all, I know this is not a Gemini question, but I believe if anyone has seen this problem, they would be here. I have torn my G11 down to lubricate it and check the bearings.? After giving a thorough cleaning, I attempted to reassemble the mount. The trouble is with the RA axis. I am not able to slide the ring gear back onto the mount. It came off quite easily, and it was covered in grease. After cleaning and regreasing the upper thrust bearing and the ring gear bearing with Super Lube, I am not able to slide the bearing in the ring gear over the post it fits on. Is there are trick to this? Should I be using a different grease. I do not want to force too hard and get the bearing stuck. Your advice would be appreciated.


PXL_20240522_011437271.jpg
PXL_20240522_012700987.jpg

Re: Looking for cable source

 

I use Amazon...

-Will

On Mon, May 20, 2024 at 10:24?AM wrvond via <wrvond=[email protected]> wrote:
I've got an older Gemini 1 with flat RJ45 RA and Dec cables that I'd like to update to curly RJ45 cables. I don't want to invest in a crimping tool, bulk cable and connectors for this one time job but I'm having a hard time locating cables that I can be confident are correct for my application.

I would appreciate a link to some ready made curly cables or would be happy to purchase some from a member of this board that makes this sort of thing.

Thanks!

Warren

Looking for cable source

 

I've got an older Gemini 1 with flat RJ45 RA and Dec cables that I'd like to update to curly RJ45 cables. I don't want to invest in a crimping tool, bulk cable and connectors for this one time job but I'm having a hard time locating cables that I can be confident are correct for my application.

I would appreciate a link to some ready made curly cables or would be happy to purchase some from a member of this board that makes this sort of thing.

Thanks!

Warren
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

I asked Tanya about it and she said mine are the early high torque motors before the cooling fins were added. The previous owner used a 13.8V/5A Pyramid power supply and said it worked well, but I wanted something less bulky that would mount more easily & cleanly on my pier.

I did some initial tests (PE measurements, autoguiding tests, etc) with the 18+V NEC power supply, but I ordered an NEC ADP57 to try. It's a 15V/4A power supply, so I'm guessing it'll be plenty and also keep me very safely in the middle of the spec voltage range. I don't expect to see any difference in performance, but I'll do another round of PE & autoguiding measurements to check that a little.

Based on what others have said, I don't expect the slightly-over-18V power supply to cause any issues. However, like you said, it's easy to be under 18V. If the ADP57 works well, I'll stick with that and not think about it any more.

Thanks!
-Bryan
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

On Thu, May 16, 2024 at 02:16 AM, Bryan Duke wrote:
Thank you both. Great points and info. Chip, it's great to hear you're seeing the same results at both ends of the voltage range. That's a completely valid point about cheap & easy to get power supplies that are under 18V. Shoot, that 90deg DIN connector cost more than the power supplies you mentioned.

My mount has the early high torque motors and was recently cleaned & re-lubed.

I had it under the stars for my first time tonight. I have some kinks to work out with NINA & slews, but otherwise everything seems to be working well.

Thanks for the help!
Bryan
I never tested or timed it but AFAIK Gemini slew speed is set by the Gemini under the "speed" settings and the encoders which look at motor speed and counts for position just let the Gemini know to send more or less juice to the motors to regulate speed. I think for some folks the additional voltage helped overcome mechanical stiction/friction and startup loads issues due to poor adjustment or balance.??

There have been a few different Losmandy servo motors available. The "high torque" motors are marked as such with a "HT" marking and/or have additional machined cooling fins on the servo motor body. The Maxon servo motors had full length body cooling fins and the original Gemini 1 standard torque servos have smooth bodies and no fins at all.? ? ?

--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astrospheric Weather for Imagers - Click on my sig!
Re: Gemini 1 Level 4 connect to tablet

 

On Thu, May 16, 2024 at 03:14 PM, Drifting wrote:
Greetings, GM8; I am able to connect via Bluetooth? to my laptop using ASCOM. Both Stellarium and Sky Safari, but alas, not on my tablet. Suggestion on a platform which works on an Android would be most appreciated. 1,000 Thanks in Advance!!
What kind widget are you using to go from the Gemini 1's RS232 serial port to BT? Why BT?

I was using a Sky Safari SkyFi III Wi-Fi device to connect to just about everything over Wi-Fi. Basically if it has an RS232 or USB port thins thing can connect it to your tablet or smartphone using planetarium apps like Sky Safari or Stellarium. You can also use it as a Wi-Fi bridge to connect your laptop to over Wi-Fi and basically use any app you have.? ?
?
--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astrospheric Weather for Imagers - Click on my sig!
Re: Gemini 1 Level 4 connect to tablet

 

BT makes virtual com ports that maybe out of the range skysafari can see. ? Or possibly it¡¯s a skysafari setting?


--
Brendan
Re: Gemini 1 Level 4 connect to tablet

 

My Dob connects and the tablet okay. It detects and connects to GeminiBT, however Sky Safari does not see it. Perhaps a sign saying don't be lazy. Thanks for your time Brandan!
Re: Gemini 1 Level 4 connect to tablet

 

It¡¯s possible that the tablet needs to be configured with Serial PortProtocol (SPP) mode. ?


Since tablets normally connect to phones, music devices etc it may not have this mode ? ?I made a BT to connect G1 to lappy (a long time ago). ?Worked No problem, but had to ensure it was configured to SPP?

just a guess !
cheers
--
Brendan
Gemini 1 Level 4 connect to tablet

 

Greetings, GM8; I am able to connect via Bluetooth? to my laptop using ASCOM. Both Stellarium and Sky Safari, but alas, not on my tablet. Suggestion on a platform which works on an Android would be most appreciated. 1,000 Thanks in Advance!!
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

Thank you both. Great points and info. Chip, it's great to hear you're seeing the same results at both ends of the voltage range. That's a completely valid point about cheap & easy to get power supplies that are under 18V. Shoot, that 90deg DIN connector cost more than the power supplies you mentioned.

My mount has the early high torque motors and was recently cleaned & re-lubed.

I had it under the stars for my first time tonight. I have some kinks to work out with NINA & slews, but otherwise everything seems to be working well.

Thanks for the help!
Bryan
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

On Mon, May 13, 2024 at 06:45 PM, Bryan Duke wrote:
Thanks for the info, gents. It's great to hear the components are rated at 25V - that's exactly what I was hoping to hear.

I'll wire up a new connector and give it a try soon.

-Bryan
Bryan,

The conservative electronic parts standard is to use components rated for double the designed voltage. The 18vdc upper limit is already pushing well beyond conventional electrical wisdom for long life and.reliabilty.?

The rush to use the maximum input voltage was really a bandaid for mounts that are not mechanically perfect, not perfectly adjusted or balanced or use the original Gemini 1 servo motos which were lower torque to begin with and in many cases now 20 years later have worn brushes and need to be replaced.?

I built a multi-voltage output battery pack for my Losmandy mounts and have tested using both the automotive 12v (13.5vdc) standard output voltage and the maximum Gemini 2 voltage of 18vdc using the same 55 pound payload and could see no difference in normal operation or guiding while imaging.?
?
You can make your own adventure here and go with the out of spec 18.2v free power supply or just go with the standard 12v for maximum reliability. BTW there are excellent $15 12V @ 5A regulated switching power supplies on Amazon. It seems silly to use an out of spec power supply just because you have one when for $15 you can buy the right part for your $3,000 mount.?

--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astrospheric Weather for Imagers - Click on my sig!
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

That 25V is minimum rated component the capacitors along the input rail for ¡°H¡± bridge drive.?


The others using this input rail are rated at 55V for the H bridge and I think 36V for the buck converter. ? So you¡¯re good?

Losmandy obviously have to set a limit of Vin as not all owner supplies are equal and a poorly regulated my peak higher than Vavg. ?

In reality you don¡¯t need a greatly regulated power for the Gemini as it makes its power internally from buck converter. ?But I¡¯d never use a junk PSU to run it. ?


So I understand why they chose 18VDC

Cheers Bryan, looks good, love the right angle 4 pin DIN!


--
Brendan
Re: Power supply - is 18.2V ok?

 

The smoke check was good. It works fine in the shop, so it¡¯s time to mount this thing on my pier. ¡°First¡± light soon!

Thanks for all the help, everyone.
-Bryan
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