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[RobbW]

If my scope on a motorized EQ mount doesn't seem to be tracking properly, how do I go about determining if I simply don't have it polar-aligned properly, or if there is something more sinister to blame, such as faulty gears?

I'm borrowing my mom's 4" Galileo reflector telescope, which is on a relatively hefty looking EQ mount with tracking motors.I set up the tripod and made sure it was level using the bubble level on the tripod top. I pointed the DEC axis north and used my laser pointer to align it to Polaris.

Everything seemed to be operating properly. However, the scope seems to be off a little when it comes to tracking a celestial object. Last night, I was taking a look in the region of Deneb and Sadr. Several times, I put Sadr in the middle of the EP and left the tracking mount to do its thing. While looking in the EP, Sadr appeared to stay within the middle for a minute or so. But if I would leave and come back several minutes later, it would be well outside the FOV of the EP. I kept having to realign Sadr within the middle of the EP every few minutes or so. Actually, it was kind of variable. Sometimes it seemed as though the scope kept the star in the EP center for several minutes. Sometimes it would drift out of FOV within only a minute or two. I'm not exactly sure how long because the drifting always seemed to happen when I left the scope for a bit.

How far off-alignment would I have to be for the tracking to be that bad? I had my laser light pointing right at Polaris. I can't imagine it would be off that bad. The only other option is that the tracking motor isn't working properly for some reason. Maybe there's something wrong with the gears, or maybe the sidereal rate is off. I'm running the motor mount using a 12V battery jumpstarter. I'm assuming that's the correct voltage for the motor as it can also run off of 8 AA batteries, which is 12V.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb,

Post some pics of the mount for better visualization on what's going on.

But....

1 - Make sure the set up is level. A tilt will throw you off and a level helps. Bubble or a straight level will work.

2 - The laser will get you in the area, but a polar scope in the axis will get you right there. If you don't have a polar scope, then you will have to do a "Polar Drift" method of alignment. Instead of trying to explain, the wheel has already been invented and try this You Tube vid:



3 - Make sure your latitude is correct and 42 degrees is cool.

4 - Sometimes, the gear shafts have slop. Over time, the set screws become loose, (resting on the flats of the shafts), and although the shafts are turning, the gears are free-wheeling. A very small allen wrench will tighten things up.

5 - The scope is not balanced.
If the tube is not balanced, then the gears have to fight against the unbalanced set-up and there goes your tracking.

I don't know if your tube is in a cradle, but you need to slide it forward/backward with the locks off and it should stay where you put it without it wanting to tilt. Finders, large eyepieces and other accessories will throw things off balance.

6 - A compass helps to get to true north.

So far, that's what I got.

I wait for the pics.

[RobbW]

well, I don't have any pics, Joe. However, I do have an update. I'm still having issues trying to use my mom's scope and its motor mount. The DEC motor keeps getting stuck an stops moving. I can hear the motor still operating, but the scope won't move. Also, and a bigger problem, the RA motor just quits working after about 30-45 minutes. Just stops dead. I can't hear the motor operating or anything.

A couple days ago, I emailed the Galileo's Place support department and asked if they have had any other complaints about issues such as mine or know of any solutions. I got a response back from their customer service department yesterday morning telling me to provide a name and address, and they would have their QA department send me a new mount. Well, let me tell you, I certainly did not expect a response like that! So I thanked them and quickly emailed back my shipping address. We'll see if their customer service is really that good or not. I'll post an update once I hear anything more from them.

[RobbW]

Okay, another update. Galileo Telescopes sent me an email this morning with a UPS tracking number for the new motor mount they shipped to me. It is scheduled to be delivered today. I will be going home at lunch to check if it has been delivered yet.

Let me just say something about this company. I know they probably don't have a reputation for selling the highest quality telescopes on the market. in fact, I think they kind of get a bad rep for selling less than top-notch scopes. However, if everything they have done to rectify the issues I have been having with this motor mount work, I will be singing their praises!

They may not sell the best equipment, but they have some damned excellent customer service!!! All I did was email their CS department and explain the issues I'm having with the mount. They took it upon themselves to have their QA department check out a new mount to make sure it works properly, and then ship it out to me. So far, it has been at no cost to me.

So, like I said, if what I receive from them today is, in fact, a properly working mount, I will be one extremely happy camper! And I will post about my stellar experience with their CS department everywhere that I am a forum member! Stayed tuned. I will post an update once I actually receive the new mount!

[Paulie pchris00]

That's good news. I hope it works, with no problems.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Robb,

I'm anxious to hear how it works.

And yes, let's build up the company for taking care of a Chicago Astronomer.

Send me links to their website and we'll do them good.

[RobbW]

Well, it has arrived! Delivered to my front door at 4:54pm today.





And as far as I can tell, it's a brand new unit; not used or re-certified. It came in factory-sealed packaging and looks all spiffy new! It even came with a couple of extras: a new AC adapter and a new handbox.

I took the old mount off my tripod and hooked the new one up. Plugged it in and put it through its paces. Slew controls work perfectly in all speeds and in all directions. I left the mount running in the 1X sidereal rate for about 2.5 hours, and it worked just as it should.

So far, I am an extremely happy camper!!! The packing list that came with the mount showed a "Balance Due" of... nothing! Shipping was prepaid. There wasn't even a note requesting that I send back the old mount that wasn't working properly.

This company went far above and beyond any level of customer service that I would have expected! Seriously, they shipped out a brand new motorized mount immediately upon me emailing them my name and address. And this was all initiated from a simple email I sent to them asking if they were aware of anyone else having the same problems I was having, and if there was a solution I might employ to fix my mount. I never even mentioned anything about having the mount replaced. They just did that on their own. In fact, if y'all don't mind, I'm going to post my original email to the company and then their response:

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From: ROBB WALKER [mailto:robbw@w****y.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 12:07 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Galileo G-1202MD Motor Mount Problems

Good morning! I own the Galileo G-1202MD with the motorized EQ mount. I have not been able to use my telescope that much yet this year due to weather conditions and my work schedule. However, the last few times I have used my scope, I have noticed a couple issues with the motor mount.

First, the RA motor seems to have some sort of slipping problem when using the slower speeds on the handbox. For example, if I'm moving the RA motor using the 64X speed, it will move just a little bit and then stop. The motor will keep running, I can hear it working, but the telescope will not move anymore in the RA. This doesn't happen in the same location or orientation each time, which would make me think it is not a balance issue. I have made sure my telescope is properly balanced on the mount. However, if I use the "Slew" speed on the handbox, I can move the telescope in the RA in either direction just fine. It is only with the slower speeds that the RA seems to get "stuck."

Second, and this is my biggest problem, is an issue with the DEC motor. The past few observation sessions I have had, the DEC motor will work just fine for the first 30-45 minutes. Both the sidereal tracking function and the slewing function work fine with the DEC motor. After about 30-45 minutes, the DEC motor just stops working altogether. No matter what speed I try to use on the handbox, the DEC motor will not operate. It is not the same sticking problem as I am having with the RA motor. The DEC motor does not move and it does not make any noise at all to indicate that the motor itself is operating. When I bring the telescope back inside and leave it a few days before trying to use it again, then the DEC motor will start to work properly. But, again, only for about 30-45 minutes before it stops working.

Can you please let me know if you have had other complaints like mine or if you are aware of any similar issues and have solutions? I am only a recent "amateur" astronomer and am very excited about viewing the skies with my telescope. I got the scope for both me and my daughter to view and learn more about the cosmos. However, these issues I am having are aggravating to say the least. It is getting very frustrating. My biggest concern is that my daughter is rapidly losing interest in the subject because I can never keep the telescope operating correctly on a consistent basis.

Please help me. Thank you!

Robb Walker

P.S. There are two USB ports on the EQ mount, one labeled "Remote" and one labeled "Control". According to your instructional video on your web site for my scope, we are to use the second USB port from the bottom for the handbox (the port labeled "Control"). What can we use the other port for? Is this port for attaching a computer so you can remotely control the telescope? If so, can you provide instruction on how to do this? Is there special software I have to use to control the telescope? Does Galileo's Place provide this software? Any help would be appreciated!

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(***I did sent them a quick follow-up email shortly after my original email to let them know that I had inadvertently mixed up the RA and DEC axes in my original email.***)


And their response:


From: Customer Service [mailto:[e-mail]] Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2010 6:47 AM
To: 'ROBB WALKER'
Subject: RE: Galileo G-1202MD Motor Mount Problems

Hello Robb,

We do apologize for the problems.

Please provide us with a name and address and we will have a new Mount checked out by our QA Dept and sent to you.

The other port on the mount was going to be used for an Electronic Focuser but now is going to be used for a “Go To” type system which is still in development.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Thank you
Galileo Customer Service

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I received an email from the company this morning providing a UPS tracking number. I received the mount this evening and am extremely pleased with the resolution to the problems I was having. Galileo Telescopes did right by me! Their customer service is spot on and more than I would have expected from any company! I would have no problem recommending this company if for nothing more than their customer service.

www.galileosplace.com

[RobbW]

It is 1:30am, so I will make this real quick for now. More later. Had the scope and the new mount out this evening to take advantage of the clear moonless skies. The new mount worked flawlessly! I am very happy. Now, if I could only figure out how to properly polar align my scope, I'd be the happiest amateur astronomer around. For now, I'll gladly settle for being the happiest customer around thanks to Galileo's Place and their fantastic customer service!

P.S. This note is posted in two places just in case people don't read both posts!