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Hi Andre,

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It seems unlikely your main bearing inside the Dec ring gear could have gone bad inside such a short use period of only a few years. There is often some play in bearings when there is no load being applied and the ball bearings can just jiggle around. As already mentioned, you should thoroughly solvent flush the bearing and blow out with some compressed air if you have it. After you relubricate with a quality bearing grease (my favorite is Mobilgrease 28 aircraft grease, though any automotive wheel bearing grease should also work), the bearing should spin like glass if you push in the race from one side with a little pressure. You should feel no grit or choppy motion. Replacing this bearing should be done by Losmandy or a machine shop. It is unlikely you will be able to punch it out and replace it at home without special tools without wrecking the ring gear or getting it misaligned. Most likely they are pressed in with a hydraulic press to get them in smoothly and keep them perfectly flat.

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You Dec issues are probably caused by the worm to ring seating as Chip mentioned. There are a number of Lomandy YouTube videos on this topic, and you should be able to search this forum too for further info - it's been discussed very frequently.

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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

Mitsumi has 5 models of 6010ZZ (ZZ denotes non contact/shielded type). Models differ by load strength, quality, etc. They should have German distributor.

Hey Chip,

thanks for your explanations!

Ordering parts from Losmandy directly is a bit of a hassle from Germany. Shipping is quite expensive compared to the cost of the parts and dealing with the customs is also not my favourite game. I think the 6010Z bearing is a standard part which I could easily buy locallly.

Is there a recommended way of replacing the bearing? I guess, a bearing puller is required? When putting a new one in, should I heat up the worm gear and cool down the bearing?

CS

础苍诲谤é

On Sun, Apr 13, 2025 at 05:32 AM, Ondre wrote:

Hi,

I'm 础苍诲谤é and new to this group. I've got my G11G for about two years now. It's the one with the tucked in motors and the spring loaded worm block.

Some nights ago it developed some 9major backlash in declication. After examining the situation, I'm partially blaming the misalignment of the spur gear, that sits on the oldham coupler.

While in there, I decided to regrease all the parts and noticed that the bearing on the large dec worm wheel doesn't sound quite healthy to me. But I'm not an expert in mechanics, so it might be normal and I leave it up to you guys :-)

Here's a short video:

It actually sounds worse in the video. It doesn't feel sticky or rough.?

What do you suggest?

Also do you have any suggestions regarding the grease that goes on the worm wheel?

Cheers

础苍诲谤é

Hi Andre,

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The bearing is contaminated.? You might get it cleaned out if you have a filtered solvent tank parts washer but you can save a lot of trouble and time, just buy a new one and replace it.? While you are there ordering a new one from Losmanday order the maintenance kit with the recommended grease.? One stop shopping.??

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But these issues including the slight misalignment of the spur gears have nothing to do with your DEC backlash.? If the spur gears mesh and do not disengage while turning you are GTG though I'd reset that engagement if I were you.? To find the real DEC issues look for worm end play between the worm bearing blocks from shifted or loose worm bearing blocks on their reference? plate. The other very commonly seen issue are loose grub screws on the Oldham coupler, remember to check all 4 grubs on the coupler.??

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If none of those are the issue then check your sprung OPW and verify the bottom fasteners are just barely snug and that the spring retaining fastener is the recommended number of turns out from coil bind or bottomed.? The worm lift screw should not have moved inadvertently but it can also cause excessive worm backlash if it is turned in too much for some reason but this is the last place I'd check.??

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Keep us posted.

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Hi,

I'm 础苍诲谤é and new to this group. I've got my G11G for about two years now. It's the one with the tucked in motors and the spring loaded worm block.

Some nights ago it developed some major backlash in declication. After examining the situation, I'm partially blaming the misalignment of the spur gear, that sits on the oldham coupler.

While in there, I decided to regrease all the parts and noticed that the bearing on the large dec worm wheel doesn't sound quite healthy to me. But I'm not an expert in mechanics, so it might be normal and I leave it up to you guys :-)

Here's a short video:

It actually sounds worse in the video. It doesn't feel sticky or rough.?

What do you suggest?

Also do you have any suggestions regarding the grease that goes on the worm wheel?

Cheers

础苍诲谤é

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Small but mighty.? Yup they were at NEAF as was our former insider Brian Valente who was seen in an interview at the AP booth.? They will be pooped and swamped next week, let them ease back into it.?

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Great to hear! Glad it worked. Enjoy your celestial alignment. :)

I changed it to 5 and it worked perfectly. Thanks again Ryan!

Thanks. I was getting nervous. I guess I didn't realize what a small operation it is.

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Mike

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On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 11:55 AM, Chip Louie wrote:

Nobody these days seems to appreciate the journey is at least half the fun of any hobby worth doing.??Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just saying.?

You struck a chord with me right here.

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These things are always a constantly changing journey for me. I worked hard to have a successful career primarily for my family, but also to support how I approach these hobbies. I can directly tell you how all of these various equipment compare because I have all of them.

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Yes, I want to explore the ?Universe and make incredible images, but along the way I can compare everything from a ten year old Vixen mount to a Paramount, ZWO strain wave mounts, a G11G and most recently an AP 1100 AE. This is my fun.

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And I am finding out if a $2K ZWO can be guided to the same quality as a $16K AP. At the field of views I like to shoot, they all work pretty well. And I still ?use all of them on different occasions for various reasons. Being able to run a G11 at 0.4" guiding with an ASIAIR is wonderful. But so is building a DEC arc model and doing unguided 5 minute subs on the AP if I'm in the mood to bother.

On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 01:29 PM, Mike Colyar wrote:

So, is not getting a call back from Losmandy a normal thing? I've left a voice mail and used their contact form. Wouldn't mind spending some money but I'm a little nervous about sending money out in the blind if they've closed up shop or something. I would really rather talk to a live human being.

So, is not getting a call back from Losmandy a normal thing? I've left a voice mail and used their contact form. Wouldn't mind spending some money but I'm a little nervous about sending money out in the blind if they've closed up shop or something. I would really rather talk to a live human being.

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Mike

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Thanks Ryan, I'll give that a try.

The reason is that the gemini does not have intermediate rates. You have Guide (generally 0.5x sidereal), center (maybe 20x sidereal) and slew (800x) sidereal.?

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Slew is 3.342 degrees per second... if NINA tells it to slew 3 degrees per second... it tries the next slower speed... which is centering... if you ask it to do 4 degrees per second, it will go as fast as it "can" according to your settings... which will be slew speed.

I believe the TPPA defaults to 3 degrees per second. That triggers the Centering Rate with the Gemini Slew. Change the "Telescope Move Rate" to 4 degrees per second and that should fix it.

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Let us know if it works.

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Cheers

Ryan

I have a question about slew rate in TPPA. I have a Losmandy G11T using the updated Gemini 2 driver. When using TPPA the scope slews to the first position at what ?think is a normal rate. However when slewing to the second and third position the slew rate is so slow it often takes 10 minutes to move to the next position. Anyone know if there is a TPPA or Gemini setting I should change.

Thanks, Frank

Found some helpful information on the clutch thrust bearing here by John Kmetz. /g/Losmandy_users/message/83601

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Seems the AZ8, GM8, G9 and G11 all use the same bearings.
"Then there are the lower thrust bearings and washers as well (1.25” ID).

Hi all, from the imperially challenged other side of the world (South Africa).

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I have an AZ8 acquired from local astronomer enthusiast Douglas Bullis with a beloved Intes Wirth (APM Markus Ludes) MN86 purchase.?

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I am missing the RA clutch needle thrust bearing, which I assume is the same as the GM8 and trying to source one locally before importing it from the USA. Can anyone suggest proper sizing on this bearing? Presumably, thickness will not be a concern. The Losmandy website states one 2.100" diameter needle thrust bearing, one 2.000" diameter needle thrust bearing.

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I am hoping to convert the AZ8 to equatorial by making a wedge where the bottom flange can bolt onto. This seems like a simple, non-destructive modification unless I'm missing something. Will also need to fashion some kind of counterweight system... Unless someone would like to trade for something equatorial with 30lb payload capacity?

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I do not see a serial number. I have the flat machined section for encoders and a polarscope hole with brass gears and worms.

Any advice here would be greatly appreciated. I tried to join the Losmandy hackers group, but it seems they are not taking any more members.

On Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 06:20 PM, Russ Lynn wrote:

I'm considering getting what appears to be the relatively new AZ8 with the Gemini 2 go to system with servo motors: ?

I am a visual observer with no interest at this point in imaging. ?And I have never used a Losmandy mount. ?I'm wondering if anyone using this new version of the AZ8 with go to and tracking could share their experience and opinions about this mount? ?TIA for any insight on this mount. ?

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Clear and steady skies, ?Russ

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Russ,

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While I have not used the Gemini equipped version the AZ8 is basically a GM8G turned vertically.? It will work as expected for visual use but for imaging field rotation will be an issue as it is for all ALT/AZ mounts.??

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