I have an Ioptron cem26 mount. When I do polar alignment and it rotates 60 degrees it clicks. The equipment weights 16 lbs, AT115EDT, Canon 600D, ASIAIR pro, ZWO mini scope a camera. This clicking started when I switched scope from AT80ED. That set up weighed 10. lbs. Have I over loaded the mount which is supposed to be good for 26lbs?
iOptron load/noise
The clicking is likely the worm gear slipping from not enough tension pushing the worm gear into the ring gear. The CEM26 has a floating worm gear that uses a spring to "float" on the ring gear and reduce the backlash. It is a pretty easy fix, you just have to tighten the spring loading on the worm. It is covered in the manual. There is a lock screw you loosen and then you can adjust the spring tension. It is a bit of a balance to make sure there is enough tension but no binding but once you get it right it should stop clicking and track very well.
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FWIW, when slewing I get clicking with my CEM70 in cold (under 20F) weather. Could that also be a soring loading issue with the spring contracting slightly when it's colder? The clicking was much more pervasive (all temps) before I sent the mount in for service. When I got it back and it still clicked when cold, I contacted Ioptron and they said not to worry about it.
Cheers,
Scott
Cheers,
Scott
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Scott Badger:
FWIW, when slewing I get clicking with my CEM70 in cold (under 20F) weather. Could that also be a soring loading issue with the spring contracting slightly when it's colder? The clicking was much more pervasive (all temps) before I sent the mount in for service. When I got it back and it still clicked when cold, I contacted Ioptron and they said not to worry about it.
Cheers,
Scott
It could be. But it could be something else. If your worm is slipping then your goto's will be significantly less accurate while it is happening. Of course if you are plate solving then the mount is corrected every time you platesolve and adjust so you have to notice it on the first plate solve after a goto. I loosened my worms so that they were not really in contact with the ring gear and then slowly tightened them until they didn't slip. I did that with a 76mm scope on the mount and then when I put a 102mm scope on the mount it clicked again and I had to tighten them just a bit. You can also remove the cover and see the gear mesh. When you are to tight the mount starts to bind or the clutch won't retract the worm enough and you won't be able to move the mount with the clutch off. You want the minimum tension necessary but enough that the worm is fully engaged through the full rotation. Both axis have the same system and can be adjusted the same.
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Joe Linington:
It could be. But it could be something else. If your worm is slipping then your goto's will be significantly less accurate while it is happening. Of course if you are plate solving then the mount is corrected every time you platesolve and adjust so you have to notice it on the first plate solve after a goto. I loosened my worms so that they were not really in contact with the ring gear and then slowly tightened them until they didn't slip. I did that with a 76mm scope on the mount and then when I put a 102mm scope on the mount it clicked again and I had to tighten them just a bit. You can also remove the cover and see the gear mesh. When you are to tight the mount starts to bind or the clutch won't retract the worm enough and you won't be able to move the mount with the clutch off. You want the minimum tension necessary but enough that the worm is fully engaged through the full rotation. Both axis have the same system and can be adjusted the same.
I adjusted the DEC shortly after getting the mount, but haven't done anything with RA. It's been on my list, but.....
Cheers,
Scott