Re: Making the most of cloudy winter nights with a new mount and scope
Geoff,
A couple of things:
-Bracken's book is for beginners, ergo, it's a "Primer". It's a nice starting point where all the info is in one place. I'm sure there are many other authors out there too.
-For PA,? the polar scopes are giving way to the PoleMaster cameras which will do the same thing electronically with easy step by step software. There is an adapter that fits it into the polar finder threads. Or you can use your guide scope in conjunction with the SharpCap PA routine, which many like since its cheap software and does not require purchase of a another camera. There is also an iPhone app called PS Align which will show the relationship of Polaris to the true NCP from your location.
-If you are are Mac user (I am not) you can set up a Windows virtual machine that will use ASCOM drivers. Dylan O'Donnell has a YouTube video about this on his Star Stuff YouTube channel. And then there is the ALPACA software that serves in place of, or connects to ASCOM from Macs (sorry never used it). A guy named Bob Denny is one of the architects of that software and I'm sure you'll be able to find him online.
Good luck. Sounds like you are starting with a nice mount which is really the one a the best foundations for any AP setup.
Good luck!
John
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
This is the link to the bearings *which may* have 12 balls? This is the link to the bearings which DO have 8 balls and a retainer
I hesitate stating 12 balls as a fact is because it is solely based on a 3d CAD file which they provide and then I took a section view, no other 2d drawings or descriptions state "12 balls". The reason this can be problematic is demonstrated with the Boca bearings, for example. In Boca Bearings r4-zz their description explicitly says 8 balls, further confirmed by Michael's photo of one opened up, however, when I download their 3d CAD file of this 8 ball bearing, you can see in pic 006 it falsely shows 10 balls. This is why I'm reluctant to put all my confidence in a section view of a provided 3d CAD drawing. Both of these bearings (McMaster Carr and boca bearings) come pre greased and sealed, if dirt gets in them I'm not sure it's possible to successfully open, clean and regrease, probably better to buy new ones.
I have 4 new bearings, I may have to open one up in the name of science and curiosity tomorrow. I will keep you posted if it's really 12 balls :-)
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Some
questions..
?
Is
there a link for the 12 ball bearings that I missed??
?
But
for these, are they meant to be opened and packed with grease?? What about the “stock
versions”??
?
I
don’t remember what the stock versions look like, but these look like
they would be fantastic for me and my dusty environment as the appear more “sealed”
than normal bearings.. But what do I know.. I do know I hate all the dust my
neighbors kick up on my dirt road..
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Herman
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021
7:40 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Used GM-8 Guiding Help
?
I think the 12 balls would be better or smoother.? So we will be
happy to see good results from your testing!? I only found the 8 ball
design, shown here.?
Good for you!!! Thanks for discovering this info (and I hope I never need
to run that experiment!!!)
?
Quick update:
Decided to dive into researching the bearings I purchased from McMaster Carr
compared to the Boca Bearings. I was able to download each one's CAD files and
open them up and get a section view, and was surprised to find a major
difference not listed in the descriptions. It appears the McMaster Carr
bearings are "full complement" bearings which do not include a
retainer and also include 12 bearings instead of 8. Researching the differences
of "full complement" bearings, it seems they are able to handle
heavier loads at the expense of lower RPMs due to additional friction (more
balls, and ball-ball friction). They have lighter axial loads due to risk of
balls being forced out of the filling slot. In terms of loading, I'm not sure
for this hobby it will make a huge difference, but I have to imagine with there
being no retainer, the bearing locations during rotation is also a bit less
periodic, not sure on anyone's thoughts? Honestly, if I were buying bearings
again I would stick with Boca Bearings, however, I will say I still stand by
the significant difference of bearing feel these had compared to my existing
bearings and will continue with testing. Not sure if anyone with Boca Bearings
can attest to also being buttery smooth? I would assume they are and my existing
bearings are just old. Pictures below of CAD sections, pic 005 is McMaster
Carr, pic 006 is Boca Bearings
 
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
I think the 12 balls would be better or smoother.? So we will be happy to see good results from your testing!? I only found the 8 ball design, shown here.?
Good for you!!! Thanks for discovering this info (and I hope I never need to run that experiment!!!)
Best,
Quick update:
Decided to dive into researching the bearings I purchased from McMaster Carr compared to the Boca Bearings. I was able to download each one's CAD files and open them up and get a section view, and was surprised to find a major difference not listed in the descriptions. It appears the McMaster Carr bearings are "full complement" bearings which do not include a retainer and also include 12 bearings instead of 8. Researching the differences of "full complement" bearings, it seems they are able to handle heavier loads at the expense of lower RPMs due to additional friction (more balls, and ball-ball friction). They have lighter axial loads due to risk of balls being forced out of the filling slot. In terms of loading, I'm not sure for this hobby it will make a huge difference, but I have to imagine with there being no retainer, the bearing locations during rotation is also a bit less periodic, not sure on anyone's thoughts? Honestly, if I were buying bearings again I would stick with Boca Bearings, however, I will say I still stand by the significant difference of bearing feel these had compared to my existing bearings and will continue with testing. Not sure if anyone with Boca Bearings can attest to also being buttery smooth? I would assume they are and my existing bearings are just old. Pictures below of CAD sections, pic 005 is McMaster Carr, pic 006 is Boca Bearings
|
Re: Making the most of cloudy winter nights with a new mount and scope
>>>So I suspect ASCOM and NINA are off my list, as are the most popular devices for PA.
polemaster has a mac client
>>>Anything I can do indoors on PA?
not really. you can try to refine your altitude adjustment by using the degrees marker on the RA axis, but that's just roughing it in
John,
Thanks for the reply.? I am onto the first three suggestions, and have been digging in. Bracken's book, though, assume a lot of AP knowledge that I don't yet have. On the rest of your list, they will go into my work later this year, I suspect.? Right now I's still working on learning the mount.?
PA has been especially challenging; I am a Mac guy, and stubborn about it, and not eager to host a windows via parallels or boot camp.? So I suspect ASCOM and NINA are off my list, as are the most popular devices for PA. And my camera is a Fuji XT3, and I'm not ready to give up on it. So I step into the batter's box with two strikes, I've been told.? But I am going to give it a run.
So with PA, I am working to learn the polar scope (but I am still in a window of returns and want to know if I can do without it), the Gemini PA routine, and Asiair Pro w. a guide scope. I am not sure I can get any further on this till I get some clear nights. Anything I can do indoors on PA?
When I get that solved, I plan to learn guiding... and then I hope to go after the Orion Nebula with my Fuji, both wide field and through my scope. I suspect that all that will give me a good idea of how much I don't know and where to go next...? Anything I can do to learn guiding indoors??
Bryn, thanks to you also for the notes on the AAP setup and your workflow list.? Very helpful; most of that is something I have not yet worked through, and some of the setup items you list can clearly be done indoors. And I suspect I can practice a number of the items on your workflow list inside. And then on my next clear nights...? Good to have a list to work from! ?
I think I have noticed a half dozen or dozen AAP/Gemini users (as I surf the Gemini2 and Losmandy user groups, and on CN and Asiair Pro forums). There seem to be enough to benefit from what others are doing. Brian's Woodland Hills video on the Mango mini-router gave me what I needed to make the key connections, and there were an armful of detailed posts linking that to the AAP.? They are out there, I think.?
?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
Re: Making the most of cloudy winter nights with a new mount and scope
John,
Thanks for the reply. ?I am onto the first three suggestions, and have been digging in. Bracken's book, though, assume a lot of AP knowledge that I don't yet have. On the rest of your list, they will go into my work later this year, I suspect. ?Right now I's still working on learning the mount.?
PA has been especially challenging; I am a Mac guy, and stubborn about it, and not eager to host a windows via parallels or boot camp. ?So I suspect ASCOM and NINA are off my list, as are the most popular devices for PA. And my camera is a Fuji XT3, and I'm not ready to give up on it. So I step into the batter's box with two strikes, I've been told. ?But I am going to give it a run.
So with PA, I am working to learn the polar scope (but I am still in a window of returns and want to know if I can do without it), the Gemini PA routine, and Asiair Pro w. a guide scope. I am not sure I can get any further on this till I get some clear nights. Anything I can do indoors on PA?
When I get that solved, I plan to learn guiding... and then I hope to go after the Orion Nebula with my Fuji, both wide field and through my scope. I suspect that all that will give me a good idea of how much I don't know and where to go next... ?Anything I can do to learn guiding indoors??
Bryn, thanks to you also for the notes on the AAP setup and your workflow list. ?Very helpful; most of that is something I have not yet worked through, and some of the setup items you list can clearly be done indoors. And I suspect I can practice a number of the items on your workflow list inside. And then on my next clear nights... ?Good to have a list to work from! ?
I think I have noticed a half dozen or dozen AAP/Gemini users (as I surf the Gemini2 and Losmandy user groups, and on CN and Asiair Pro forums). There seem to be enough to benefit from what others are doing. Brian's Woodland Hills video on the Mango mini-router gave me what I needed to make the key connections, and there were an armful of detailed posts linking that to the AAP. ?They are out there, I think.?
?
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Thanks again Derek! I'm looking forward to testing!
Michael,
Here is the link to my guide scope I was using during the first night of testing along with the ASI120mm:?
The second night, however, I was using my 430mm refractor with a 0.8x focal reducer (I was sort of in a rush and didn't remove it from previous imaging sessions) for a new focal length of 344mm. Both of these were put into PECPrep with their respective graphs, I think the data is correct (unfortunately). I was able to get drift align working well for both nights which I used for analyzing, the first night I came to 0.2' polar error and the second night was at 0.8' polar error according to guiding assistant. I noticed for my mount to get a good drift align I have to let it run for a full period on the first adjustment and at least half a period for subsequent adjustments. Overall drift align takes me close to 30min, otherwise all the noise you see in these graphs start telling me the wrong stories and corrections to make :-) (this took me a while to figure out). Everything you listed is on my to-do list, and I will definitely keep this post updated!
Thanks everyone for the input, I know my posts are long but I'm hoping keeping this well documented will help someone in the future as well!
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
The
Stellarvue 50mm finder / guider is f4 and says 210mm..
?
Similar
models are ubiquitous..
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Herman
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021
4:52 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Used GM-8 Guiding Help
?
Nick,
One other thing puzzles me.
You said your guide scope is 50mm f/4.
I looked but could not find one.
I have several 50mm 8X magnification guide scopes.? I'm not sure
what their FL is.
I did find a 50mm f3.8 from unknown brand shown online.?
??
But could you please double check and get the FL of that guide
scope?? It's important because the PE Y axis scale depends on that FL
factor.? ?
I always recommend when testing the mount to eliminate any other
variables, put a long FL refractor (no mirror flop) in the dovetail and put the
autoguider camera at prime focus (or use a diagonal if necessary) to get the
camera focussed.? Don't use a piggyback guide scope.? If that flops
it will wipe out your data and question the analysis.??
You discovered that the PECprep type FFT program will try and subtract
a linear error in polar drift due to unfavorable polar alignment.? It
won't subtract a curvy drift error.? The solution is to eliminate
excessive drift.? Best to do a drift alignment and correct as necessary
before tracking the unguided star.? It only takes a few minutes to check
by drift (PHD2 has a good Drift Alignment tool ...try it!)
The bearings you ordered must be the R4ZZ ABEC-7 with kyodo grease
shown here...or maybe the McMaster-Carr equivalent.?
?Change RA to the precision brass worm.
?Put in the better bearings.
?Replace your poor performing RA gearbox with a new one ( or the
DEC gear box if it is better).
?Add the Belleville
spring behind the far bearing (on both RA and DEC) (that far bearing OD must be
polished down to allow the bearing to slide in the block).
?Carefully line up that key Oldham coupler ends by shifting the
gearbox location, so the Oldham ends do not
shift during rotation.?
Seems like a lot but it isn't really.? You will get to the low PE
that this mount is capable of delivering.??
After that, autoguiding will take care of any residual movement.?
?You probably won't need PEC if the natural PE gets low
enough.??
?
Wow, I am blown away by all the good info everyone has been helping out
with, thanks so much!?
Michael,
I will definitely get the serial number and reach out to Losmandy just out of
pure curiosity. I agree the plastic gearbox is likely a contributor to the fast
oscillations. I have high hopes for the new bearings as well, they arrived
today and it is night and day difference to the existing bearings. The existing
ones have a very obvious jitter to them, the new ones are as smooth as butter.
Just for reference for anyone else reading, I ordered the R4-2Z abec 7 bearings
?as
well as belleville
washers
Robert,
That may be one of the best explanations of imaging scale as it relates to PE
I've seen, I've read through various explanations of imaging scales and
exposure time, but this one just seemed to "click" so thanks! When
I'm feeling a little more bold I may extract the PE curve data and play with it
in excel as you've described, I definitely see the long wavelength component,
but not sure there would be a way to correct for this in a PEC curve as they
are typically only one period long, correct? Either way more data and info is
always better! I really appreciate you including you're pre/post HP worm data,
I'm a visual person and it seems like it would be a great investment.
Unfortunately for the time being my imaging camera is a Sony mirrorless (a5100
which is a whole other story, but it wasnt purchased as an astro cam so overall
I'm happy its somewhat usable for now) but I do find the idea of higher gain,
lower shutter speed and more subs intriguing. Honestly my camera is a big
reason why I'm reluctant to mount upgrades piling up - I would really like to
get a dedicated cooled astro cam in the nearish future.
Derek,
That sounds like an offer I can't refuse hah, I will message you shortly!?
Brian,
I agree :-D?
Future Plans:
At this point with the significant difference even by hand feel of the
bearings, I plan to change out the bearings, add the belleville washers and at
the same time switch the RA and Dec worms back to how they were on the first
baseline run. I want to see how this can perform, and assuming I am able to
work out borrowing the HP worm from Derek, I will do another run using the HP
worm and compare. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed imaging several times,
but I also really enjoy problem solving and trouble shooting (on a budget of
course) something about collecting data and being able to analyze and make
sense of it is very satisfying. Thank you everyone for your help thus far, and
I look forward to keeping this updated with step by step progress with
supporting data!
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Quick update:
Decided to dive into researching the bearings I purchased from McMaster Carr compared to the Boca Bearings. I was able to download each one's CAD files and open them up and get a section view, and was surprised to find a major difference not listed in the descriptions. It appears the McMaster Carr bearings are "full complement" bearings which do not include a retainer and also include 12 bearings instead of 8. Researching the differences of "full complement" bearings, it seems they are able to handle heavier loads at the expense of lower RPMs due to additional friction (more balls, and ball-ball friction). They have lighter axial loads due to risk of balls being forced out of the filling slot. In terms of loading, I'm not sure for this hobby it will make a huge difference, but I have to imagine with there being no retainer, the bearing locations during rotation is also a bit less periodic, not sure on anyone's thoughts? Honestly, if I were buying bearings again I would stick with Boca Bearings, however, I will say I still stand by the significant difference of bearing feel these had compared to my existing bearings and will continue with testing. Not sure if anyone with Boca Bearings can attest to also being buttery smooth? I would assume they are and my existing bearings are just old. Pictures below of CAD sections, pic 005 is McMaster Carr, pic 006 is Boca Bearings
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
The
worm will be mailed tomorrow..
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nick
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021
4:16 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Used GM-8 Guiding Help
?
Wow, I am blown away by all the good info everyone has been helping out
with, thanks so much!?
Michael,
I will definitely get the serial number and reach out to Losmandy just out of
pure curiosity. I agree the plastic gearbox is likely a contributor to the fast
oscillations. I have high hopes for the new bearings as well, they arrived
today and it is night and day difference to the existing bearings. The existing
ones have a very obvious jitter to them, the new ones are as smooth as butter.
Just for reference for anyone else reading, I ordered the R4-2Z abec 7 bearings
?as
well as belleville
washers
Robert,
That may be one of the best explanations of imaging scale as it relates to PE
I've seen, I've read through various explanations of imaging scales and
exposure time, but this one just seemed to "click" so thanks! When
I'm feeling a little more bold I may extract the PE curve data and play with it
in excel as you've described, I definitely see the long wavelength component,
but not sure there would be a way to correct for this in a PEC curve as they
are typically only one period long, correct? Either way more data and info is
always better! I really appreciate you including you're pre/post HP worm data,
I'm a visual person and it seems like it would be a great investment.
Unfortunately for the time being my imaging camera is a Sony mirrorless (a5100
which is a whole other story, but it wasnt purchased as an astro cam so overall
I'm happy its somewhat usable for now) but I do find the idea of higher gain,
lower shutter speed and more subs intriguing. Honestly my camera is a big
reason why I'm reluctant to mount upgrades piling up - I would really like to
get a dedicated cooled astro cam in the nearish future.
Derek,
That sounds like an offer I can't refuse hah, I will message you shortly!?
Brian,
I agree :-D?
Future Plans:
At this point with the significant difference even by hand feel of the
bearings, I plan to change out the bearings, add the belleville washers and at
the same time switch the RA and Dec worms back to how they were on the first
baseline run. I want to see how this can perform, and assuming I am able to
work out borrowing the HP worm from Derek, I will do another run using the HP
worm and compare. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed imaging several times,
but I also really enjoy problem solving and trouble shooting (on a budget of
course) something about collecting data and being able to analyze and make
sense of it is very satisfying. Thank you everyone for your help thus far, and
I look forward to keeping this updated with step by step progress with
supporting data!
|
Re: 365 covers, condensation, and Wavy Washer standing water..
No problem here.
My CFO insists I bring my toys in at night. So mine is configured to break down for portability by mule train.
And I'm the jackass carrying the parts. LOL!
So when the Doctor asks if I'm getting excersize, I explain my routine to him. I doubt he could carry the mount back and forth.
But my stuff stays high and dry inside the house.
Glad you love your G11G. I'm lovin my G811GHD in between the Spring storms.
Looks like it's going to be a really cloudy one here.
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Nick,
One other thing puzzles me.
You said your guide scope is 50mm f/4. I looked but could not find one.
I have several 50mm 8X magnification guide scopes.? I'm not sure what their FL is. I did find a 50mm f3.8 from unknown brand shown online.? ??
But could you please double check and get the FL of that guide scope?? It's important because the PE Y axis scale depends on that FL factor.? ?
I always recommend when testing the mount to eliminate any other variables, put a long FL refractor (no mirror flop) in the dovetail and put the autoguider camera at prime focus (or use a diagonal if necessary) to get the camera focussed.? Don't use a piggyback guide scope.? If that flops it will wipe out your data and question the analysis.??
You discovered that the PECprep type FFT program will try and subtract a linear error in polar drift due to unfavorable polar alignment.? It won't subtract a curvy drift error.? The solution is to eliminate excessive drift.? Best to do a drift alignment and correct as necessary before tracking the unguided star.? It only takes a few minutes to check by drift (PHD2 has a good Drift Alignment tool ...try it!)
The bearings you ordered must be the R4ZZ ABEC-7 with kyodo grease shown here...or maybe the McMaster-Carr equivalent.?
Anyway, if you do these: ?Change RA to the precision brass worm. ?Put in the better bearings. ?Replace your poor performing RA gearbox with a new one ( or the DEC gear box if it is better). ?Add the Belleville spring behind the far bearing (on both RA and DEC) (that far bearing OD must be polished down to allow the bearing to slide in the block). ?Carefully line up that key Oldham coupler ends by shifting the gearbox location, so the Oldham ends do not shift during rotation.?
Seems like a lot but it isn't really.? You will get to the low PE that this mount is capable of delivering.??
After that, autoguiding will take care of any residual movement.? ?You probably won't need PEC if the natural PE gets low enough.??
Good luck!!!
Wow, I am blown away by all the good info everyone has been helping out with, thanks so much!?
Michael,
I will definitely get the serial number and reach out to Losmandy just out of pure curiosity. I agree the plastic gearbox is likely a contributor to the fast oscillations. I have high hopes for the new bearings as well, they arrived today and it is night and day difference to the existing bearings. The existing ones have a very obvious jitter to them, the new ones are as smooth as butter. Just for reference for anyone else reading, I ordered the R4-2Z abec 7 bearings ?as well as belleville washers
Robert,
That may be one of the best explanations of imaging scale as it relates to PE I've seen, I've read through various explanations of imaging scales and exposure time, but this one just seemed to "click" so thanks! When I'm feeling a little more bold I may extract the PE curve data and play with it in excel as you've described, I definitely see the long wavelength component, but not sure there would be a way to correct for this in a PEC curve as they are typically only one period long, correct? Either way more data and info is always better! I really appreciate you including you're pre/post HP worm data, I'm a visual person and it seems like it would be a great investment. Unfortunately for the time being my imaging camera is a Sony mirrorless (a5100 which is a whole other story, but it wasnt purchased as an astro cam so overall I'm happy its somewhat usable for now) but I do find the idea of higher gain, lower shutter speed and more subs intriguing. Honestly my camera is a big reason why I'm reluctant to mount upgrades piling up - I would really like to get a dedicated cooled astro cam in the nearish future.
Derek,
That sounds like an offer I can't refuse hah, I will message you shortly!?
Brian,
I agree :-D?
Future Plans:
At this point with the significant difference even by hand feel of the bearings, I plan to change out the bearings, add the belleville washers and at the same time switch the RA and Dec worms back to how they were on the first baseline run. I want to see how this can perform, and assuming I am able to work out borrowing the HP worm from Derek, I will do another run using the HP worm and compare. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed imaging several times, but I also really enjoy problem solving and trouble shooting (on a budget of course) something about collecting data and being able to analyze and make sense of it is very satisfying. Thank you everyone for your help thus far, and I look forward to keeping this updated with step by step progress with supporting data!
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
We
are here to help like everyone helped me..
?
Thanks
for the log viewer link.. I was *just* going to look for it, but decided to
check email first..
?
I
also found the one for diagnosing PE.. Seems mine is “good enough” and I should
stop trying to make it better or else I might make it worse, not knowing
anything and all..
?
:-))
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Valente
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021
2:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io]
Used GM-8 Guiding Help
?
Derek that's very kind of you :)
?
Nick..
?
If you give me your address, you can
borrow my extra brass worm to see if you want to install one / if it helps
solve the problem..
?
Then you can either buy one from
Losmandy and send mine back to me or pay me for mine..
?
Email me directly if you are
interested..
?
Derek
?breit_ideas@...
--
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Wow, I am blown away by all the good info everyone has been helping out with, thanks so much!?
Michael,
I will definitely get the serial number and reach out to Losmandy just out of pure curiosity. I agree the plastic gearbox is likely a contributor to the fast oscillations. I have high hopes for the new bearings as well, they arrived today and it is night and day difference to the existing bearings. The existing ones have a very obvious jitter to them, the new ones are as smooth as butter. Just for reference for anyone else reading, I ordered the R4-2Z abec 7 bearings ?as well as belleville washers
Robert,
That may be one of the best explanations of imaging scale as it relates to PE I've seen, I've read through various explanations of imaging scales and exposure time, but this one just seemed to "click" so thanks! When I'm feeling a little more bold I may extract the PE curve data and play with it in excel as you've described, I definitely see the long wavelength component, but not sure there would be a way to correct for this in a PEC curve as they are typically only one period long, correct? Either way more data and info is always better! I really appreciate you including you're pre/post HP worm data, I'm a visual person and it seems like it would be a great investment. Unfortunately for the time being my imaging camera is a Sony mirrorless (a5100 which is a whole other story, but it wasnt purchased as an astro cam so overall I'm happy its somewhat usable for now) but I do find the idea of higher gain, lower shutter speed and more subs intriguing. Honestly my camera is a big reason why I'm reluctant to mount upgrades piling up - I would really like to get a dedicated cooled astro cam in the nearish future.
Derek,
That sounds like an offer I can't refuse hah, I will message you shortly!?
Brian,
I agree :-D?
Future Plans:
At this point with the significant difference even by hand feel of the bearings, I plan to change out the bearings, add the belleville washers and at the same time switch the RA and Dec worms back to how they were on the first baseline run. I want to see how this can perform, and assuming I am able to work out borrowing the HP worm from Derek, I will do another run using the HP worm and compare. I have to admit, I've really enjoyed imaging several times, but I also really enjoy problem solving and trouble shooting (on a budget of course) something about collecting data and being able to analyze and make sense of it is very satisfying. Thank you everyone for your help thus far, and I look forward to keeping this updated with step by step progress with supporting data!
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Derek that's very kind of you :)
Nick..
?
If
you give me your address, you can borrow my extra brass worm to see if you want
to install one / if it helps solve the problem..
?
Then
you can either buy one from Losmandy and send mine back to me or pay me for
mine..
?
Email
me directly if you are interested..
?
Derek
?breit_ideas@...
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
365 covers, condensation, and Wavy Washer standing water..
Previously “we”
discussed covers and condensation.. Gun Heating Rods sound like a fantastic
solution..
?
Having given away my power
supply – like an idiot – and knowing big rain was coming – I finally
dismounted my refractor and brought the mount inside.. A few days ago I cleaned
and relubed the mount bearings (not to be confused with the drive bearings
which still need to be done) and found something “weird”..
?
The cylindrical bearings,
flat bearings, and thrust washers were essentially pristine.. but the wavy
washers were a different story.. They had standing water on them and the lube
was quite sticky.. They cleaned up fine, but I thought I would mention it..
Anyone who mostly keeps there stuff setup, might want to check their wavy
washers more often than the rest of the mount..
?
Also, the Michael Herman clutch discs were still pristine as
well.. A little shiny in spots because I crank my clutches down a lot.. Once I
put it all back together, I did play with the mount and figured out I need a
whole lot less clutch to make things work, as these clutch discs are either
fully slipping or fully engaged.. There is no partially engaged.. Maybe less
tightening will help or even fix my Declination backlash issue.. (I haven’t
had a chance to try the new PHD2 which is supposed to have improved functions
to help with Declination backlash.. )
?
I am glad I put the wavy
washers in the “outside position” as recommended so the moisture
didn’t get anywhere near the flat roller bearings, that’s for
sure.. I am more impressed with the G11 every time I touch it.. A really
impressive machine..
?
Derek
|
Re: Hello from a new user
Thanks all. ?
Brian, send my regards to Tanya. She was great throughout.?
|
Re: Hello from a new user
Welcome
to the Fun, Brian..
?
:-))
?
Derek
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of brianm
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
8:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Losmandy_users_io] Hello
from a new user
?
Hi all.
My wife and I got into this hobby in the mid-80s with a classic orange C8.
After getting a ton of use out if it, both visually and a bit of film-based AP,
a new?10” LX50 followed in the late 90s. But life intrudes, and the past
two decades in Dallas and LA put the kebosh on stargazing, for both time and
sky quality reasons. We’ve finally gotten back into it after a move to Utah and subsequent
retirement.?
Three months ago I suddenly discovered that I’m 24 years older than when we
bought the 65-pound Meade contraption, that the assembly and tear down was,
well, tearing me down, and it was time for something more portable. We
researched the crap out of the mount market. Long story short, we bought a new
G11G with the RA extension and two great carrying cases from Scott and company
in the late fall, de-forked the ‘ol LX50 OTA and started anew. More or
less.?
Three things - first, dealing with the people in Burbank was a true pleasure, and I can’t say
enough positive things about them. Second, the quality and functionality of the
G11G is far beyond our expectations. Third, we’re thrilled by the advancements
in observing and AP tech over the years and look forward to getting back into
it in a big way. We’re confident that our new mount and old scope will give us
a great start.?
Very
happy to join this group, as well as the Gemini group. Good to “meet” you all.
Brian
?
|
Re: Used GM-8 Guiding Help
Nick..
?
If
you give me your address, you can borrow my extra brass worm to see if you want
to install one / if it helps solve the problem..
?
Then
you can either buy one from Losmandy and send mine back to me or pay me for
mine..
?
Email
me directly if you are interested..
?
Derek
?breit_ideas@...
|
Re: Eastside Heavy Rule - How to Practically Apply Query
I
move the lower counterweight up or down the shaft depending on which side of
the mount things are.. *AND* I find where these points are – before ever
turning on the mount – during initial balancing..
?
Doesn’t
take much offset from balanced, just “some”..
?
With
the Gemini II, you also have a balance function that you might like more, but
since my configuration never changes, I just find where the weights go once and
just put the weights where they go when they need to go there..
?
Derek
?
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Terry Pullen via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021
5:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Losmandy_users_io]
Eastside Heavy Rule - How to Practically Apply Query
?
Hello Group
Many times over the years I have seen and heard it mentioned that it is
beneficial to have a non-perfect mount balance such that the 'east side' of the
mount is biased to be slightly heavier when doing astrophotography. Am I
correct in thinking this is to do with reducing backlash when tracking or
guiding or both.
I was wondering if this 'rule' is true at all times irrespective of wthether
the scope or the counterweight shaft is actually on the east side?
How do those who use this approach manage to keep the east heavy rule applied
when imaging? Is it advisable to move the lower weight on the counterweight
shaft further down the shaft a little or have a separate, tempoary additional
'movable' weight that can be placed on either the shaft or the scope depending
which side of the meridian they are?
Just interested in what other imagers do - grateful for any insight. I saw on
this Group several weeks ago an ingenious solution using an automated method
which fasinated me and sparked my interest but is way beyond my mechanical
abilities. I am interested in a better understanding of the 'eastside heavy
rule' and any suggestions for a simpler method to apply the necessary bias.
With help from this Group I am slowly getting back into imaging with my 14 yr
old G11, Gemini-1 and my DSLR after several years away from the hobby.
Many thanks
Terry [uk]
|
Michael Herman