Wobbly Star Adventurer? - Forums

Topic starter

Sep 19, 2020

Hi,

Does anybody of you have a wobbly Star Adventurer (Pro) ?

My wedge feels very unsturdy. It wobbles and shakes and even the screw for aligning the EQ feels loose.

See video for reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxrfYt2tZPI

8472

Oct 9, 2020

The wedge is very poorly constructed.

There are a pair of extremely cheap looking plastic washers/shims which hold the latitude plate to the lower half of the unit.

If you can, i would suggest unbolting this part and replacing them with metal disks of the same dimensions.

This mod alone increases friction and improves the setup no end.

I also replaced my base azimuth Hex bolts with wingbolts, as the hex key is easily lost in the dark.

Helpful Concise

Marc Agostini

Oct 9, 2020

If you can, i would suggest unbolting this part and replacing them with metal disks of the same dimensions.This mod alone increases friction and improves the setup no end.

I also replaced my base azimuth Hex bolts with wingbolts, as the hex key is easily lost in the dark.

Good advice! Also crank down this altitude wrench, otherwise you will always have play in altitude. Crank it down so you can just turn the altitude knob without using excessive force.

Helpful Concise

Marc V

Dec 27, 2020

There are a pair of extremely cheap looking plastic washers/shims which hold the latitude plate to the lower half of the unit.

If you can, i would suggest unbolting this part and replacing them with metal disks of the same dimensions.

Hi! I added another plastic shim and it is already more stable!

Clearskies!

Marc V

Dec 30, 2020

Hi All!
[deleted]

Just a follow-up on my post 2 days ago : Last night I was finaly able to test my SA with this new shim added (thanks to the clouds) and it is definitly a hit! My rig is closed to be to heavy for the Star Adventurer (4kg). Before this addition, the alt level when pointing on Polaris was quiet unstable, but now it kept the alt for an hour easily. Very happy with this modification!

Clear sky, Marc

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