Double Images

HI everyone,
I'm going nuts. I can't figure out why I'm getting double images with my ST-xe. I have an LX200GPS, it is perfecly balanced but the RA drive seems to be skipping or binding. I can't take an exposure longer than a minute or so. I took the cover off the bottom, everything looks just fine. The tilt plate has enough (but not too much play. Can anyone offer any ideas or suggestions. I am usein the st-XE with CFW and AO-7 attached but I'm not doing any autoguiding those feature are turned off. WHen I turn the AO-7 on I get squiggly lines instead of stars. I attached a very raw 1 minute exposure(light) the doubling is more evident on the darker edges but is also there in the central portion.
Thanks in advance
Mike

Attached Image:

Perfectly balanced isn't what you want. If the mount is perfectly balanced, it get to be _too_ easy to move it around, and it won't track/guide as well as it should. The mount should be a little heavier to the easy side (yes, this means adjusting weight if you cross the meridian) to keep the gears tightly meshed. Not a lot; just a little.

Also, if you are simply unable to take unguided images of more than a minute, that is to be expected with an LX200; it needs guiding, preferrably with an AO-7.

Ron Wodaski

Try taking all of the batteries out and then place 2 c batteries in the left battery compartment only. It will help tightly engage the gears. Also recommend Bucks stainless steel gears from Peterson Eng. They work much better that the meades plastic gears
ashton