Mount problems--Need your help!!

I have a Celestron CI-700 mount (bought it last Christmas). It seems that,
even when I have the OTA balanced, the motors seem to be working hard to
slew. The worms are much easier to turn manually with the knobs (disengaged
from the motors) when the clutches are disengaged as compared to when the
clutches are tight and engaged with the shaft/bearings/dovetail/OTA.

Are there any web sites that detail how to adjust/tune-up the mount? Or,
does anyone have the info that they can post on this thread?

Also, it's a good thing I'm kind of "mechanical" because I have had to
tighten several of the hex (Allen wrench-type) tiny "lock bolts" that secure
the motors/knobs to their shafts. Has anyone had any experience with using
Lock-Tite compound on the screws/bolts on the mount when they loosen?

Are there any up-grades to the mount such as more "beefier" RA and DEC
clutches? It seems that, even when I have these clutches well tightened, it
is still possible to move the OTA if accidentally slightly pushed/bumped in
the dark, so to speak.

I am basically happy with the mount and, with it, I have enjoyed many
observing sessions.

What are your experiences with this mount?

I am currently saving up for a Losmandy Gemini GoTo add-on for the mount and
I am concerned that the Losmandy motors will struggle with the worms, so to
speak and that the clutches will hold tight.

-- Mike

Hi Mike - I don't post on the forums very much but I do have a bit of experience with this mount and adjusting it. First the basic IMHO tirade that no forum on the internet should be without….

I have owned a G-11and currently this CI-700. Personally I think this mount got a bit of a “bad” rap over a bit of nitpicky items like non-adjustable tripod legs (which IMO mean squat compared to things like tracking). Overall the mount is quite well built, will track as well or even better then the stock G-11, and can handle the same weight OTA’s (Some engineers have gone so far as to say even more then the G-11). There was a great comparison buy a guy named Geoff on one of the boards a while ago – he’s a bit more tech then me and was a great write up.

Now it does have some issues – such as fit and finish isn’t quite up to Losmandy par and its WAY too “modular” in design – which, I think, is causing what you’re encountering. I spoke to Celestron recently on adjusting the mount – their reply was basically “no tricks – we assemble, put in box, and shipped ‘em”. Because there are so many damn parts – multiple piece brackets, and a gazillion Allen wrench screws it’s hard to keep things aligned – and as you found - tight. Your use of lock tite (or just plain silicone) was as good a solution for loosening screws as any (BTW Almost all mounts I’ve owned experience this to some extent).

OK – The real problem I’ve had was binding between the two Gear wheels due to the worm gear housing not being aligned. There are 4 clutches on the mount – The RA Clutch, the Dec Clutch, the RA slow motion Clutch, and the Dec Slow Motion Clutch. As an aside, if either or both of the latter are tight (IE the motors are now engaged – don’t use the slow motion knobs) – Vixen has a similar design – and while they “should” slip, more then once on my old SP mount I’ve broken the motor shaft (my bad….). If you need to move the mount while these are engaged, just loosen the RA/Dec clutches and move the mount by hand. Now on the “Binding” issue (which is what I think you are experiencing). First loosen the slow motion clutch and tighten the ra/dec clutches. Turn the slow motion knob (moving the tube) – watch the large gear on each the worm shaft (not the worm gear itself). If the gear seems to move (or the shaft) in an elliptical – then your worm housing needs adjusting. Loosen the 4 Allen wrench screws slightly and adjust. It might take SEVERAL tries. I’m sure someone with a feeler gauge could make shorter more uniform adjustments – but I never found it necessary. Keep in mind it’s much more important to have the RA aligned. The dec a little off never bugged me too much. It also helps to loosen the worm shaft screw (the one under that plastic cap) when seating the worm gear.

Hope this helped!