My tripods are open at the bottom. There are 3 large diameter leg tubes that are welded to a larger diameter vertical tube.??
When I get home, I'll photograph it and send you a picture and get the tube sizes.
Clearly, there were several versions of the Losmandy tripods. Some were very strong, though not portable. Some were foldable.? There might be several answers to your question depending on version.??
Best, Michael
OK thanks, will have to have a rethink of my project then :)
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OK thanks, will have to have a rethink of my project then :)
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HI pete ? If you mean where the G11 mount drops into the legs, it¡¯s closed on mine. Pretty sure it¡¯s closed in general ? ? Thanks ? Brian ? portfolio https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/ ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Pete Wilkinson
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 11:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Losmandy_users_io] G11 Tripod Question ? Hi,
The underside of the G11 tripod head, between the legs, is it open or closed?
Thanks
Pete
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Hi,
The underside of the G11 tripod head (the older fixed leg version) between the legs, is it open or closed?
Thanks
Pete
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
Hi Michael,
Yes, using two Bellevue discs was very tight with the 2-piece bearing blocks, I had to squeeze and push harder to get the backlash right. A difference may have been in how we created the clearance to float the bearings, I honed the bearing block out with a small honing tool and polished it with emery cloth and polishing compound to get a fine finish on the aluminum block and used a dab of my favorite grease - Super Lube. I would think the Bellevue would work in a more linear way by using a small flat washer to support the cone end of the disc rather than have the Bellevue contacting the bearing block shoulder midway on the disc. There are some washers available that should fit but I have not measured the Gen II OPW block to see if there is room or a flat washer with the right dimensions to support the cone over the shoulder of the machined pocket for the worm shaft.? ??
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
My calibrations are always awful, and from seeing how many folks bring that up here, endemic to this mount and/or PHD2 and this mount combined. I may recheck/reset the calibration step stuff, but I let PHD2 do that.
The unguided output is really what I am after at this point. Seeing is its own issue. The sun setting behind the mountains is beautiful, but living on the leeward side of an island range is not good for still atmosphere.
Thanks!
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
Thanks Anthony ? I don¡¯t know how much (or if at all) you are looking for feedback on the guiding, but a couple observations: ? Pretty choppy night, you might consider increasing your exposure to 3 seconds to even that out a bit ? The initial calibration was kind of spotty, not sure why that is. Very few steps and ueven ? DEC backlash compensation enabled could help with dec, but ra and dec are pretty close, so that may end up with dec being better and oblong stars. ? ? Your unguided output looks really good ? Thanks ? Brian ? portfolio https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/ ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anthony Q
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 8:43 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] How is the belleville washer solution working? ? Guide logs from last night's imaging session, (Iris Nebula)...
If I take out the sections where I was refocusing, I get around .78" RMS. I'll take that for average to good seeing.
The log viewers seem to be showing really good unguided performance as well for the longer graph in the above log.
Nice round tight stars zoomed in 16x on the DSLR screen too!
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
Guide logs from last night's imaging session, (Iris Nebula)...
If I take out the sections where I was refocusing, I get around .78" RMS. I'll take that for average to good seeing.
The log viewers seem to be showing really good unguided performance as well for the longer graph in the above log.
Nice round tight stars zoomed in 16x on the DSLR screen too!
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
I also tried two Belleville washers small end to small end, but there was barely room in an OPW for that, so I don't recommend that. The force remains 7 pounds max but the distance expands 2x.
There was room to try that in the older case with no OPW, just 2 blocks. That problem is that you get stuck with the outer worm block not having enough room to move inward radially, so you cannot get the worm to touch the ring gear teeth.? That's a worse situation. ?
So...I recommend just use one Belleville washer... It's sufficient to remove the worm axial play.
All the best, Michael
On Mon, Aug 26, 2019 at 12:45 AM Chip Louie < chiplouie@...> wrote: Hi Michael,
No, you misunderstood my post. The Bellevue discs used singly or in pairs requires that the large end of the spring disc presses against the outer bearing shell, not -[](- against the inner race or dust shield. I tested with one Bellevue spring arranged like this -[])- and with two discs with the small ends pointing toward each other like this -[])(- with slightly better results with two discs. That was long ago on a traditional Losmandy straight drivetrain with HP-worms in modified 2-piece worm blocks with ABEC-7 bearings and Bellevue spring discs, the guided PE was well below 0.05 arcseconds RMS. My Losmandy G11 after updating by Scott a couple years ago to add the tucked servo motors and the Gen II OPWs had identical PE when tested as received from Losmandy. Scott recently installed the spring loaded OPWs and I have not PE tested it since adding the spring loading OPW modification.? ?
?
The bearing makers engineering documents say that adding some preload significantly stiffens these bearings and improves bearing performance by forcing bearing balls to rotate consistently as the bearing is rotated. When preload is used bearing performance is improved, this was shown in PE testing by the elimination of the mysterious 76 second error.??
?
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
Joe,
The video you attached shows your Oldham coupler gap is too large and possibly the retaining grub screws are loose based on the clicking noise and obvious gaps shown. There should be no obvious gaps between the silver metal pieces and the white plastic piece in the middle of the coupler. This is often mentioned in other posts on issues related to the drivetrain. To correct this part of the problem you need to loosen the four grub screws holding the Oldham coupler on the gearbox output shaft and worm nose, rotate the axis shaft towards the gearbox and center the Oldham coupler between the worm and gearbox shafts, squeeze the Oldham parts together and snug down the four grub screws. Do not over tighten you will damage the soft worm shafts. Reassemble the OPW and adjust per Losmandy's video on setting the bearing block preload on OPWs. Then follow Losmandy's video for setting the OPW backlash. This is not rocket science, it is all simple mechanical common sense with videos easily available showing how it is done.?
?
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
Hi Michael,
No, you misunderstood my post. The Bellevue discs used singly or in pairs requires that the large end of the spring disc presses against the outer bearing shell, not -[](- against the inner race or dust shield. I tested with one Bellevue spring arranged like this -[])- and with two discs with the small ends pointing toward each other like this -[])(- with slightly better results with two discs. That was long ago on a traditional Losmandy straight drivetrain with HP-worms in modified 2-piece worm blocks with ABEC-7 bearings and Bellevue spring discs, the guided PE was well below 0.5 arcseconds RMS. My Losmandy G11 after updating by Scott a couple years ago to add the tucked servo motors and the Gen II OPWs had identical PE when tested as received from Losmandy. Scott recently installed the spring loaded OPWs and I have not PE tested it since adding the spring loading OPW modification.? ?
?
The bearing makers engineering documents say that adding some preload significantly stiffens these bearings and improves bearing performance by forcing bearing balls to rotate consistently as the bearing is rotated. When preload is used bearing performance is improved, this was shown in PE testing by the elimination of the mysterious 76 second error.??
?
--
Chip Louie - Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
8" at 1457mm.
It was a good night! Consistent except for occasional turbulence. I'll post PHD2 logs later.
Now to shoot darks...
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
I'd be interested to see your guidelogs when you finish this session. I recall you are shooting a 12" or 14" ota?
On Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 10:23 PM Anthony Q < anthony@...> wrote: Decent seeing tonight, but the PEC and mechanical stuff is playing into this:
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: How is the belleville washer solution working?
Decent seeing tonight, but the PEC and mechanical stuff is playing into this:
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
Joe you covered a lot of ground there my friend.?
i definitely get you're frustrated and it sucks to spend a lot of time on a hobby that is just endless frustration
I think if you look back on our email conversations, you'll see that I never discounted your claims of any mechanical problems, only that your guidelogs (not your gut feeling) don't show what you're describing. At the beginning Tanya suggested we connect tp address your guiding questions, and we did spent a lot of time looking at that.?
Last we left it, you showed me a solid image, and some good looking guide logs, and then told me not to tell you it's working and that you were going to sell it.?
I've said this before, and just for the record here it is again:?I am in no way associated with Losmandy. I am not employed nor compensated by them in any way. I'm just like everyone here who volunteers their time to help others, because someone took the time to help me. You seem to imply I have some secret connection or pull with Scott and/or Losmandy. I do not, so please don't be disappointed I can't help you with getting Scott to answer your calls or emails, or whatever business you have with them.?
If i can help in any way, still happy to do so, but hopefully someone here has input that is more to your liking.?
?
On Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 7:53 PM occativ43 via Groups.Io <joe.vitacco= [email protected]> wrote: [Edited Message Follows]
Yes Brian is seems odd - I agree. ?
I would figure south and north would have the same backlash but watch the worm gear today when I press the button - NORTH DOES HAVE A MUCH greater delay then South. I have told you that for month and you dismissed me. SO PLEASE have Scott to make my mount RIGHT! Otherwise there is nothing more to say.?
I would like this mount that I paid over $3500 to work.?I should have bought a Celstron Mount.?
I am going to file a complaint again Scott's company with the California better business bureau this week.?
His service is lacking. I will not back down till this is made right and I will research every governmental body in California to report Scott's company to.?
?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
No-one here works for HGM (Scott¡¯s company) nor do we have any means to influence him. ? Are you anywhere near Michael Herman?? I¡¯ve sure there¡¯s a good chance he could adjust that for you. ? David. ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of occativ43 via Groups.Io
Sent: 26 August 2019 03:53
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC ? [Edited Message Follows] Yes Brian is seems odd - I agree. ?
I would figure south and north would have the same backlash but watch the worm gear today when I press the button - NORTH DOES HAVE A MUCH greater delay then South. I have told you that for month and you dismissed me. SO PLEASE have Scott to make my mount RIGHT! Otherwise there is nothing more to say.?
I would like this mount that I paid over $3500 to work.?I should have bought a Celstron Mount.?
I am going to file a complaint again Scott's company with the California better business bureau this week.?
His service is lacking. I will not back down till this is made right and I will research every governmental body in California to report Scott's company to.? ?
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
Joe
i didn't suggest you don't have mechanical issues, i just asked what your backlash was
You also suggested you have northern backlash issues, which doesn't make any sense, mechanical or otherwise
take a breather. I'm just trying to help clarify.
Brian
On Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 7:05 PM occativ43 via Groups.Io <joe.vitacco= [email protected]> wrote: Brian please stop inferring that I have a software problem. This is CLEAR as day a mechanical problem. My backlash is in a specific direction. I can see it. There is also a loose mechanical coupling that I have no idea how to fix or adjust.?Maybe if Scott Losmandy would contact me directly without Tanya acting as a gate keeper this could be addressed.?
Brian you are generous time, a very knowledgable person, you are with truly helping people with PHD2 - you know the program.?
BUT you prevent mechanical issues from being addresses with the Losmandy mounts.?When was the last time you said, there is a mechanical issue Losmandy has to address this??
I have had 2 other people in my club that have had horrible problems with their mounts. One person you know. The other just sold the mount and bought another one.?
I really wish Scott Losmandy would HELP PEOPLE with mechanical issues and Tanya would cut her sarcasm toward customers.?
I have no problems with any of my other softwares.?
Clear Skies.?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
First, back up the T handle screw a few turns and loose those two cap screws with an 1/8 Allan key then you should be able to lift the OPW housing/cover vertically. The only thing hold the cover is those two cap screws. Please take some pictures and video if possible to show where is the backlash coming from.?
It should either be the worm bearing block spacing, loose coupling set screws or the nylon join.?
Thanks,
Chao?
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
HI (again) Joe!?
Usually people discover DEC backlash when moving south (i.e., calibrating via PHD).?
Backlash is not direction specific, it's when you reverse direction in guiding that it becomes apparent.?
how much backlash did you measure and why do you think it's in a northernly direction?
On Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 8:45 AM occativ43 via Groups.Io <joe.vitacco= [email protected]> wrote: As I have previously posted I am having a great amount of backlash in my Losmandy G 8 11 in the North directions.?
Once this is cleared the mount does OK. East/West or South do not have this problem. People have told me the coupling set screws might be loose.?
?
I have enclosed a photo of the cover of the worm on my 1 year old Losmandy G 8 11. I have no idea what removing the 2 screws will do or what they hold in place. Compared to the old design that has 2 much smaller screws something tell me not to just go taking these screws out in mine.?
?
Does anyone know how in the newer non spring loaded mount how to get at the coupling set screws in the enclosed photos? and what is involved??
?
Thank you.?
Joe
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: coupling set screws in newer Losmandy G 8 11 DEC
the latest losmandy video explains what's connected to the cover
?
hth
Brian?
On Sun, Aug 25, 2019 at 10:28 AM occativ43 via Groups.Io <joe.vitacco= [email protected]> wrote: No I have not taken the cover off mine
i though i was clear.? What happens when I take the 2 screws off the worm cover.? What else does it hold??
Please some one tell me this? Thx
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Michael Herman
Chip Louie
David C. Partridge