To be sure, nobody is reinventing any wheels. Owners do encounter legitimate trouble with their mounts.? The best lube may not be universal.? ?? People in climates other than LA area do see extreme temperatures, and their stock grease/lube from the factory may not suffice.? ?LA is a wonderful place to live and work.? Never snows, hardly ever rains.? It's why 20M people are crowded in there.? The heavy molyD based lube for the bearings might be ok in that benign climate.? (Though Chip who lives there does not agree even then...)
For the desert like Aizona, temperatures can change by 100F during one day.? That does not generally happen in beautiful LA.??
A study by a member of the EQMOD group many years ago showed that SuperLube stayed the most slippery even at below freezing temperatures (the person put the stuff in their freezer to test it vs other types of lube).? SuperLube should be strongly considered the best for extreme weather.? This is what Chip has been recommending for years also.
I live in Northern California, also benign weather...fog, frost, but little rain and zero snow.? Generally cooler than LA but it can also get as hot.? ?My mounts are left outdoors covered in multiple tarps. They will get to 100F in summer heat, and down to below freezing in the coldest winter nights...but not in a single day.? I have experienced light oils that are in some lubes eventually run out and got on my plastic clutch pads, making them slip.? I also went with Chip's suggestion of SuperLube, and I have not found any slipping of my clutches.? I have not re-lubed any of my mounts in years, unless I was installing new components.?
(I did replace my plastic clutches with high friction type and these new ones also block out oil capillary migration. )
So: the factory does it's thing...it has not changed its process of making mounts.? It uses the same heavy grease as it has in the past.??
The needle bearings used throughout the mount do require a light lube to keep them free running.? Else they will "gum up" and be hard to rotate.? Please read yourself online about needle bearings and their maintenance.??
So owners in different climates should look out for either high friction in the axes rotation, or slipping clutch disks.? If you find these issues, try cleaning out any old dried lubricant, and try SuperLube.??
Chip earlier recommended this particular version of SuperLube (from Amazon):?
Super Lube 41160 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2) 14.1 oz cannister translucent white.? From Amazon it is $9.85 today with free shipping...? The stuff with "Syncolon" PTFE.? Resists wear, corrosives, dirt, dust, saltwater, water.??
Stay well, all!!!??
Michael
I kind of doubt I will be re-lubing my 811 in my lifetime.
So I'm happy and confident in whatever grease Scott used in my mount.
It works great.
Some folks are hell bent on reinventing the wheel though.
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
If you go this route - one thing to keep in mind. Make sure you don't leave it resting on tires when you're imaging but rather on those metal screws/wood blocks as Matt has done. Because as the temperature changes through the night, your tires will deflate a bit and mess up your PA! Probably does matter significantly for a long focal length reflector such as what you see mounted there. I imagine less of a consideration for visual.
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Matt that's a cool pic
can you describe the setups you have there?
Donnie,
If you are so inclined, you can build a cart for the G11G (or any mount and tripod, for that matter). This makes for a portable observatory setup. Plug it in to a power source and computer, polar align, and do your star alignments. Literally, when I use this instead of my Obs, setup and teardown take less than 10 min with no strain.? Forgive the bad pic, but you get the idea.
Matt
On Tue, Aug 11, 2020, 10:45 AM Donnie < zerodb@...> wrote: I will look into the G11G and GM811G. And thank you all for the great replies. I really appreciate it.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Donnie,
If you are so inclined, you can build a cart for the G11G (or any mount and tripod, for that matter). This makes for a portable observatory setup. Plug it in to a power source and computer, polar align, and do your star alignments. Literally, when I use this instead of my Obs, setup and teardown take less than 10 min with no strain.? Forgive the bad pic, but you get the idea.
Matt
On Tue, Aug 11, 2020, 10:45 AM Donnie < zerodb@...> wrote: I will look into the G11G and GM811G. And thank you all for the great replies. I really appreciate it.
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
I will look into the G11G and GM811G. And thank you all for the great replies. I really appreciate it.
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?
Can anyone tell me the specifications of the capped screws that hold the OPW to the mount and the capped screws that hold the blocks with the worm bearings in the OPW frame, please? I am
looking for the length and the thread type.
?
?
?
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Re: Side by side saddle or piggy back scope alignment
I'm pretty anal, so I try and get everything .
I'm toying with the idea of dual telescopes, but pretty convinced I want a piggy back because of imaging straight through from one meridian into the other.
Side by side could prove more limiting than piggy backed (or over and under).
I put a Z-bolt laser on my rig yesterday, and zeroed in everything last night.
I now have 4 aiming options at my fingertips. Red Dot, Laser, Guide Scope, and Main Imaging. And they are coplaner. But subject to further refinements.
The laser proved it's worth during my modeling. I can't always do the contortions to look through my Red Dot to "rough in" a star.
But the thin green line let's me get the marks.
I like it when I can get instant worth from a product.
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Hi Steve
I can just tell you what we use at the shop - Jet Lube MP-50 moly paste
i don't think you'll get a consensus otherwise - everyone has their opinion, and in the astro community i've found most aren't afraid to express it :)?
Many other recommendations are perfectly fine as well. Just avoid lithium grease
On Tue, Aug 11, 2020 at 3:28 AM Steve Ruttenberg < steve@...> wrote: Doesn't sound like a consensus.? I live in AZ where temps can go below zero to 120 in the day with 100 at night.? Molybdium is a thick, sticky messy paste. I would really like a consensus on the best lubricant that can run full temp swings.? The recommended lube from Losmandy is the Jet-lube mp50?? Then the non oem recommendation is syncrolube, slick 50, etc.
I am leaning towards the Jet-lube you don't need much and it stays put.
My mount is going in for service and upgrades so whatever is used to lube, I want to purchase extra.
What is the consensus?? Is it one lube or is there a choice depending on operating temps?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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I kind of doubt I will be re-lubing my 811 in my lifetime.
So I'm happy and confident in whatever grease Scott used in my mount.
It works great.
Some folks are hell bent on reinventing the wheel though.
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Hi Donnie, Welcome to the Group!
I'm using my GM811G HD for imaging, and almost every night. (Until yesterday, our contractors were using my Observing area as a junk pile area. :^(? ?)
I know nothing about the Titan, except it would be far too huge for my peashooter telescope. Shucks, I couldn't even justify a G11G to myself. But the 811, Ah, perfect! My imaging rig only weighs 15.7 pounds.
I joined this Group back when I was in my planning stage. Great bunch of folks from all around the World! I got all the answers I needed to make my purchase perfect.
So You are definitely in the right place.
Although I don't know much, I can say that if you order from Losmandy, you will get the exact mounting you need. And they are great folks to chat with, really know their stuff!
And these guys are all hands-on owners/operators and repairmen. Brian is the Tech Adviser for Losmandy, but he won't blow his own horn.
Scott Losmandy does his own final adjustments and Quality Assurance before your gear is packed and shipped.
I do tote my rig out, and back in, every night. So another consideration for me was not breaking my back worse than it already is. LOL! Losmandy is the only mount I know of that allowed me to customize mine into a Portable Pier configuration, and to make "chunks" (4) for easy transport out, and back in every night.
?
?
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
I use Sharpcap for PA ¨C it¡¯s great, so good I sold my PolarScope. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Valente
Sent: 11 August 2020 04:43
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts ? Hi Donnie I have the Skywatcher 120ED Esprit, in fact it's imaging in my driveway right now as i write this :) Is there any reason you wouldn't just go with a G11G? it's more than enough mount for the 120, even up to a 150 also imo the polemaster is a great way to get quick and accurate polar alignment, so I do recommend it. There are other ways, but if you are getting started here, it's the fastest and easiest, i think ? On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 8:32 PM Donnie <zerodb@...> wrote: [Edited Message Follows] My observing will only allow me to set up and takedown for like one evening of observing or AP. Then it might be another week or 2 weeks before I can bring all the equipment out again to set up. During the winter months, I would not be doing any observing or AP.? I am not sure what the gentleman meant by "portable" as I assume that you are referring to the mount being permanently mounted to a pier?
Not knowing if I am communicating correctly, let me add this additional info:I plan to purchase:1. G11T Equatorial Head (Gemini 2 GOTO, Weight Shaft, Heavy Duty Folding Tripod)
2. Maybe Skywatcher Esprit 120 or similar APO
My main concern (and not the OTA) is polar alignment and perhaps I do not need the Polemaster. I think it would be a good add-on to help with polar alignment.? I am completely unfamiliar with Losmandy products, the mounts, the Gemini Controller, etc. That is why I landed here in this group to learn more before I buy.?
--
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Doesn't sound like a consensus. ?I live in AZ where temps can go below zero to 120 in the day with 100 at night. ?Molybdium is a thick, sticky messy paste. I would really like a consensus on the best lubricant that can run full temp swings. ?The recommended lube from Losmandy is the Jet-lube mp50? ?Then the non oem recommendation is syncrolube, slick 50, etc.
I am leaning towards the Jet-lube you don't need much and it stays put.
My mount is going in for service and upgrades so whatever is used to lube, I want to purchase extra.
What is the consensus? ?Is it one lube or is there a choice depending on operating temps?
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Re: Side by side saddle or piggy back scope alignment
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message----- From: Les Niles <les@...> To: Losmandy_users < [email protected]> Sent: Mon, Aug 10, 2020 09:47 PM Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Side by side saddle or piggy back scope alignment There¡¯s no need for them to be perfectly parallel. ?If it weren¡¯t for atmospheric refraction, flexure, and polar mis-alignment, you could simultaneously image two completely different parts of the sky. ?Given that those things do happen, you probably want the guide scope to be tightly coupled to the long-FL scope, and keep the short-FL scope pointed in roughly the same direction. ?Also, the go-to controller is only going to be aligned for one scope if they don¡¯t point in the same direction.?
This may not be the right place for this question but a recent post talked about side by side saddles and it raised a question. If you had a side by side or piggy back, say a c11 and 80 mm refractor, do you want them perfectly parallel or have the views more or less concentric? What are the pros and cons? If someone has a site I would appreciate more info.
Thanks
Chuck
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Re: Side by side saddle or piggy back scope alignment
There¡¯s no need for them to be perfectly parallel. ?If it weren¡¯t for atmospheric refraction, flexure, and polar mis-alignment, you could simultaneously image two completely different parts of the sky. ?Given that those things do happen, you probably want the guide scope to be tightly coupled to the long-FL scope, and keep the short-FL scope pointed in roughly the same direction. ?Also, the go-to controller is only going to be aligned for one scope if they don¡¯t point in the same direction.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
This may not be the right place for this question but a recent post talked about side by side saddles and it raised a question. If you had a side by side or piggy back, say a c11 and 80 mm refractor, do you want them perfectly parallel or have the views more or less concentric? What are the pros and cons? If someone has a site I would appreciate more info.
Thanks
Chuck
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Brian I've used polemaster for a couple of years but a recent comment that it wasn't accurate enough for astrophotography got me to compare it to phd2 drift method. Polemaster was darned close but phd2 revealed it was off by a slight amount. Using phd2 I got between .6 to .85 rms with a heavy load on my g11 where phd2 was at .85. A small difference and it was a quick check before I shut down for the night. So by my experiment phd2 drift gives you a little more accuracy
Chuck
-----Original Message----- From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...> To: Losmandy_users < [email protected]> Sent: Mon, Aug 10, 2020 09:10 PM Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts Don't let these guys talk you out of the polemaster. it's really great and perfect for lazy people like me :) .... er maybe I should say perfect for people that want to spend more time imaging :)
i do think the G11G is a better choice for you, and will save you some $$
it has spring-loaded worm in RA,? more than enough weight capacity probably easier to find in stock (G11Ts are really backordered)
On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 8:57 PM Donnie < zerodb@...> wrote: Thank you, Brian, and others for your input. I used to do polar align manually using the Kochab method and looking through a polar scope (ha - please don't laugh) actually, I had it down to a science and got very good results. My first goto alignment star was always surprisingly close to just 'tap' into the center on my illuminated crosshair EP.? So, I understand the principles behind PA's , I am just lazy now and want technology to do it for me now. :-)
Why the T and not the G11G? It was just a recommendation from a friend from another forum.
Donald
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Don't let these guys talk you out of the polemaster. it's really great and perfect for lazy people like me :) .... er maybe I should say perfect for people that want to spend more time imaging :)
i do think the G11G is a better choice for you, and will save you some $$
it has spring-loaded worm in RA,? more than enough weight capacity probably easier to find in stock (G11Ts are really backordered)
On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 8:57 PM Donnie < zerodb@...> wrote: Thank you, Brian, and others for your input. I used to do polar align manually using the Kochab method and looking through a polar scope (ha - please don't laugh) actually, I had it down to a science and got very good results. My first goto alignment star was always surprisingly close to just 'tap' into the center on my illuminated crosshair EP.? So, I understand the principles behind PA's , I am just lazy now and want technology to do it for me now. :-)
Why the T and not the G11G? It was just a recommendation from a friend from another forum.
Donald
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Side by side saddle or piggy back scope alignment
This may not be the right place for this question but a recent post talked about side by side saddles and it raised a question. If you had a side by side or piggy back, say a c11 and 80 mm refractor, do you want them perfectly parallel or have the views more or less concentric? What are the pros and cons? If someone has a site I would appreciate more info.
Thanks
Chuck
|
Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Thank you, Brian, and others for your input. I used to do polar align manually using the Kochab method and looking through a polar scope (ha - please don't laugh) actually, I had it down to a science and got very good results. My first goto alignment star was always surprisingly close to just 'tap' into the center on my illuminated crosshair EP.? So, I understand the principles behind PA's , I am just lazy now and want technology to do it for me now. :-)
Why the T and not the G11G? It was just a recommendation from a friend from another forum.
Donald
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Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
Hi Donnie
I have the Skywatcher 120ED Esprit, in fact it's imaging in my driveway right now as i write this :)
Is there any reason you wouldn't just go with a G11G? it's more than enough mount for the 120, even up to a 150
also imo the polemaster is a great way to get quick and accurate polar alignment, so I do recommend it. There are other ways, but if you are getting started here, it's the fastest and easiest, i think
Brian?
On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 8:32 PM Donnie < zerodb@...> wrote: [Edited Message Follows]
My observing will only allow me to set up and takedown for like one evening of observing or AP. Then it might be another week or 2 weeks before I can bring all the equipment out again to set up. During the winter months, I would not be doing any observing or AP.? I am not sure what the gentleman meant by "portable" as I assume that you are referring to the mount being permanently mounted to a pier?
Not knowing if I am communicating correctly, let me add this additional info:
I plan to purchase:
1. G11T Equatorial Head (Gemini 2 GOTO, Weight Shaft, Heavy Duty Folding Tripod)
2. Maybe Skywatcher Esprit 120 or similar APO
My main concern (and not the OTA) is polar alignment and perhaps I do not need the Polemaster. I think it would be a good add-on to help with polar alignment.? I am completely unfamiliar with Losmandy products, the mounts, the Gemini Controller, etc. That is why I landed here in this group to learn more before I buy.
?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Re: Polemaster Adapter for Titan Mounts
My observing will only allow me to set up and takedown for like one evening of observing or AP. Then it might be another week or 2 weeks before I can bring all the equipment out again to set up. During the winter months, I would not be doing any observing or AP.? I am not sure what the gentleman meant by "portable" as I assume that you are referring to the mount being permanently mounted to a pier?
Not knowing if I am communicating correctly, let me add this additional info:
I plan to purchase:
1. G11T Equatorial Head (Gemini 2 GOTO, Weight Shaft, Heavy Duty Folding Tripod)
2. Maybe Skywatcher Esprit 120 or similar APO
My main concern (and not the OTA) is polar alignment and perhaps I do not need the Polemaster. I think it would be a good add-on to help with polar alignment.? I am completely unfamiliar with Losmandy products, the mounts, the Gemini Controller, etc. That is why I landed here in this group to learn more before I buy.
?
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Michael Herman
David C. Partridge
Steve Ruttenberg