I was previously getting glitches like this intermittently. Not all the time, but if they did happen, there seemed to be a periodicity (~5min). You can see where the scope misses tracking for a bit (looks much faster than sidereal when it happens, but it may not be). Anyway the autoguider puts it back on track in a couple of steps. Still very annoying.
But now it is fixed, as far as I can tell. At least I haven't seen it. I think it is ~20% from the upgraded balance and ~80%+ from tightening the RA belt. I could see on the teeth of the belt gear attached to the motor what looked like a screwdriver ding. I think the belt was ridding up and then would pop into the next slot. Tightening definitely fixed that, since I no longer hear a little click as the scope slews east. I had thought the "click" was normal. Must have been a manufacturing defect?
One more tiny step...
Charlie
But now it is fixed, as far as I can tell. At least I haven't seen it. I think it is ~20% from the upgraded balance and ~80%+ from tightening the RA belt. I could see on the teeth of the belt gear attached to the motor what looked like a screwdriver ding. I think the belt was ridding up and then would pop into the next slot. Tightening definitely fixed that, since I no longer hear a little click as the scope slews east. I had thought the "click" was normal. Must have been a manufacturing defect?
One more tiny step...
Charlie
Attached Image:
Fort Lewis Observatory: (37.238, -108.052) ~2360m (7744 ft.) elevation.
Darkness - typically 6.5+
Scope - Meade 16" LX200; f6.3 focal reducer
Focus - JMI Smart focus
Camera - SBIG ST-10XE; (~.5"/pixel)
Guiding - AO-8 and/or Meade 5"/DSI/PHD
http://www.fortlewis.edu/observatory
