Fairly Cold Weather (15 degree Fahrenheit) and Tracking - Forums

Topic starter

16 days ago · Edited: 16 days ago

When the temperature drops to 15F or lower, can tracking be affected? I have a 10Micron GM1000 mount and the stars are looking slightly oval on some subs while others look fine. If temperature is a factor, is there anything to be done with the mount that might improve this?

It's at a remote site, so I don't physically have access to it but can ask the observatory people to look at it. Up till now, the mount tracks very well. I am imaging unguided with 180" and 300" subs. I built a 100 star model and the polar alignment is excellent.

Thanks,
Jerry

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Jan Erik Vallestad

16 days ago

I don’t know, but it probably can have an effect. I regularly have to do a safety check on various nuts and bolts due to temperature changes as the metal expands and contracts. Things getting a bit loose will certainly have an effect. Internally I guess it also depends on what kind of grease is used as viscosity may change with temperature.

15F would translate to about -10c I think, which is a pretty standard winter temperature for my area. I can’t say I’ve noticed any changes in tracking however. I’ve been working my mounts at -30c without issues as well and they seem to handle it just fine. It’s within the specs at least which is something I’ve made sure of before buying anything.

You’re probably doing unguided subs then, so there’s probably no log to review in terms of finding any anomalies?

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ArchStarGazer

15 days ago

If it is very cold, tracking can be affected. I have an AM5 and in AsiAir I need to switch on “Heavy Duty Mode”, which slows down the mount’s movement. With this, it works also at -15 to -20 degrees Celsius perfectly.

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Quinn Groessl

IOTD Staff

15 days ago

I’ve never had an issue with my Skywatcher mounts even in to the negatives Fahrenheit. The grease gets a bit thicker, but my tracking with guiding has always been just fine.

Astro Jeep

15 days ago

I have an AM5N, and I routinely track with round stars at 15ºF since I am often am at higher elevations. I use NINA, and I just use my normal tracking movement.

Dave Rust

15 days ago

SfRO kept the roof open one night last winter at 11 degrees F and my AM5 tracked/guided just fine, though it was in “winter” mode.

There’s a type of grease designed for winter use…even at the poles. I suppose it would be possible to have the mount repacked with this compound.

Here’s a link to one brand as an example.

https://www.superior-industries.com/slc_400_product_115.html

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Tommi Liinalampi

15 days ago

I can use my both CEM70 mounts -20 celsius without problems. It’s my temperature limit because of EAF and other stuff.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

15 days ago

Dave Rust:
SfRO kept the roof open one night last winter at 11 degrees F and my AM5 tracked/guided just fine, though it was in “winter” mode.

There’s a type of grease designed for winter use…even at the poles. I suppose it would be possible to have the mount repacked with this compound.

Here’s a link to one brand as an example.

https://www.superior-industries.com/slc_400_product_115.html

Thanks Dave, I'll check it out.

Jerry

SonnyE

Frequent contributor

15 days ago

I use what Scott Losmandy puts on his mounts at the factory, Super Lube Multi-Purpose Synthetic grease.

Good to -45° F (-45°F = -42.778°C) or Pretty damned cold.

Of course, Your Milage May Vary depending on your mount.

My weather generally here rarely goes below freezing (32° F) so I never worry about it. And for good cause, my mount never has a problem.

But if people think they are smarter, and use some water pump grease in the fine machinery of their mounts, well that is operator error.

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Ruediger

14 days ago

Hello Jerry,

-10°C is not a big deal for the 10M. They work down to -15°C with normal grease and with adaption to cold environments with special grease down to -40°C . I advise to turn on the motor preheating in these temperatures to avoid current peaks when slewing. This is exactly the use case for the heating. It heats the motors for 120 Seconds. Chapter 6.3.17 in manual V3.

Tracking is not impacted by the mount, but due the changed flexure of the gear. So the model could differ a bit. If you notice it, just create a new model. That’s all.

CS - Rüdiger

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Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

14 days ago

Ruediger:
Hello Jerry,

-10°C is not a big deal for the 10M. They work down to -15°C with normal grease and with adaption to cold environments with special grease down to -40°C . I advise to turn on the motor preheating in these temperatures to avoid current peaks when slewing. This is exactly the use case for the heating. It heats the motors for 120 Seconds. Chapter 6.3.17 in manual V3.

Tracking is not impacted by the mount, but due the changed flexure of the gear. So the model could differ a bit. If you notice it, just create a new model. That’s all.

CS - Rüdiger

Thanks Ruediger,

Everything is back to normal now. During the winter months, or when humidity is high, I am going to leave the mount powered on 24/7. I think that's the best approach from what I've learned from others.

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