On Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 12:24 AM, <avishekaiyar@...> wrote:
I just separated the RA and Dec axes and disassemble the RA assembly (remove spacer, wavy washer, 3 piece thrust bearing and finally the RA shaft).?
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Everything checks out. The clutch pad looks in a really good condition too.?
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If I had to really nit pick, I would say that the wavy washer has lost a lot of its waviness. :)?
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But after reading some of the other comments, I sort of see the point. With the Dec axis removed, the RA movements are pretty "locked" when the RA clutch is tightened (I made sure not to over tighten....I tightened it and let go as soon as I felt some resistance ). So I think it's ok.?
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I also saw in one of the Losmandy balancing videos, Brian Valente also mentioning that the Dec axis is a lot "freer" compared to RA..I felt the exact same way so I guess it's all design intent.?
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Hi Avi,
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The locks never absolutely grip things down without movement. There is still a little play if you turn them hard enough. So the scope will move a bit if you bump into it or if it is very unbalanced or starts to drag a cable. I gave up on the wavy washer and balance RA by cranking ALT down to 0 (but careful you don't tip over if trying that). You could try new discs anyway or try the Michael Herman high friction discs, as Derek mentioned). Getting enough stiction for a night's operation should not be a hard thing.
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Good luck.
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John
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Losmandy G11G2 on pier; refurbed Losmandy G11 with OnStep controller; SkyShed design roll-off observatory; ZWO ASI2600MM-P; ZWO ASI071MC; Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED with field flattener; Celestron C925 Edge HD with 0.7XFR, William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO; PHD2, NINA, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight user
