I received my new GM811G and finally got out under the stars to start learning the mount and Gemini 2 system.? Before I got started, I noticed some movement in the DEC axis.? With minimum effort, i can wiggle the saddle, i.e. DEC axis.? I am working with PHD2 and got some messages about the DEC axis, don't remember exactly.? I ran the guiding assistant and I thought the numbers looked good, except for the DEC Backlash was highlighted.? Here are some of the values:
RA Peak? 0.44px(6.73arc-sec)
DEC Peak? 0.37px(5.61arc-sec)
RA Peak to Peak0.47px(7.13arc-sec)
RA Drift Rate-0.09px/min(-1.41arc-sec/min)
RA Max Drift Rate0.04px/sec(0.67arc-sec/sec)
Drift-limiting exposure2.4s
DEC Drift Rate -0.01px/min(-0.21arc-sec/min
DEC Backlash >=34970 +/-99ms(247.1 +/-0.7a....
Polar Alignment Error 0.9 arc-min
High-frequency Star Motion
RA, RMS 0.05px(0.80 arc-sec)
DEC, RMS 0.05px(0.75arc-sec)
Total, RMS? 0.07px(1.10arc-sec)
Should I address the looseness in the DEC axis?? I've watched the video how to adjust the spring-loaded worm gear.? Would that be the way to eliminate the looseness?
Thanks for any help, Steve
Steve Elmore