How to SUPER TUNE the Skywatcher EQ-5 mount Part 1

[@boodlewoodle]

Hi Martin just wanted to say a big thank you for taking the time to produce such a great video for eq5 owners like myself and wish you all the very best for 2021

[@MPAstro]

No problem 👍

[@karp6130]

The grease used in assembly at the factory is meant to be thick, sticky and grippy. It provides an excellent barrier to metal to metal contact. It does not need to provide much anti friction because it is a slow moving mechanism. It is not a high speed machine. The dec slewing with the clutch off is just the sticky grease gripping the sleeve bearing. It does provide some resistance which is a good thing because it prevents any jolting or snatching of the motors when using the slew arrows.

[@AB-ft2lb]

Makes sense, thanks for sharing your insight.

[@aaronporche6820]

Just watched the part Oh where the dec motor still moved while the clutch was released. Probably causing premature wear cause the gears probably still spinning when ur free handing the scope

[@CitizenSniiiips]

Hey Martin, after watching your whole series I think I will give a super tune a try on my EQ5. My dec is definitely a bit stiff and it does have guiding issues sometimes where it completely loses the plot. Seeing how you had issues with the 12mm thick thrust bearing I've been thinking of ways to get around it without having to grind out the extra 4mm from the shaft. It seems like you can't get a 35mm bore thrust bearing in less than 12mm thickness, BUT you can get needle roller thrust bearings with different sized washers. Do you think there would be any problems using a needle roller instead of a ball roller? I assume they serve the same purpose? but I don't know a lot about bearings I can get a 2mm thick needle roller cage and use 3.5mm washers so the total thickness of the entire thrust bearing will be 9mm. It still may not fit but I'd be more than happy sand down 1mm rather than grind out 4mm from the shaft.

[@gunnarjensen5910]

Just ordered a EQ5 mount. Hope I don´t have to go through all this hassle before first use..

[@MPAstro]

Usually the first 5 years of use, my EQ-5 mount worked fine, than the binding in the DEC axis went bad and seriously and effected the tracking. The newer EQ-5 mounts should be a lot more reliable, they still make the EQ-5 mounts, the newer versions should have anodized green setting circles on the RA and DEC axis. Usually brand new mounts have a 2 year warranty now, so if you get problems you can send it straight to the retailers and get the manufacturer to fix the mount. Here is the new EQ-5 variant: www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-eq5-pro-goto-equatorial-mount-tripod.html

[@paulkazjack]

My Dec axis actually seized up while I was using it outside. Only just managed to get get it apart by drilling two holes the the gear teeth on the clutch! It had seized so tightly it scored the bore! Spent hours sanding and honing the burrs. Not a roller bearing in sight. Really shit.

[@karanvora6391]

does the EQ5 take both D/V style mounting saddles?

[@gunnarjensen5910]

Damaged the coating on my 12 inch dobs primary mirror,, during cleaning (very badly oxidized before my attempt) . Wonder if it is worth it to send it to UK for re-coating ??

[@MPAstro]

Please check these guy's they might be able to re-coat your primary mirror, plus they uprate the optics with higher grade Hi-lux coatings with 99% reflective. www.orionoptics.co.uk/OPTICS/mirrorrecoating.html

[@mikegordonbrasov161]

excelent video. thanks! One question please: I just bought a new skywatcher120/1000 with equatorial neq5 and I'm still learning the equatorial (before it had a 70mm with altaz mount. Once I managed to put it in parking position (orient the tripod to the north with a quality compass, level the tripod , level right ascension and level declination and adjust latitude of Madrid), can I consider that I am aligned with the polar? even if it is fake alignment? because sometimes you want to see the moon during the day or because there is something that does not allow you to see the polar. And Would you know how many degrees you have to deviate to true north in the location of Madrid, since the compass will indicate magnetic north?

[@MPAstro]

You kinda of polar aligned however a polarscope is really needed if you want to be spot on with Polaris!!

[@Cheapass-tro]

Hi Martin. I hope my latest video is okay by you? Please check and let me know if you have a problem with it (mount upgrades). I've used a few seconds of this video (& no.2) in order to point people your way for a supertune. I won't try to link it here. I have of course credited you and carried out a supertune on my EQ-5, so thanks for that! Best regards Nugsy.

[@nihalmirza8864]

Thank you for such an informative video.

[@MPAstro]

Not problem!! Keep watching I have many new ideas up my sleeves!!

[@sniuk]

Great Video! one question, how much was for the shims? asked few places and they come quite expensive...almost 100 pounds

[@MPAstro]

I never replaced the shims, as they were in good condition anyway, I am quite shocked that companies are charging £100 for plastic shims, that is ridiculous!!

[@sniuk]

@@MPAstro in my case I have a vixen SP and it is missing two shims, found out when I was tuning it out. And yes... Is ridiculous. Tried here in Spain and they gave me same numbers. Asled couple companies in UK and same..£95 for 4 shims!!! And £20 shipping... Waiting for a reply on company you've posted in description :(..

[@AndrewThomas73]

Hi Martin, I've just got this mount, when I look through the polar scope and rotate the RA access at not point can I get the 0 (zero) In the 12 o'clock position in the polar scope ? Any help would be appreciated

[@MPAstro]

Hi Andrew, thank you watching my video, I have made another video based upon re-centralise the polar scope alignment, if you check this video I show it in detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2nQgWipr5mVobc

[@robertocostamesquita3916]

good night, what is the sidereal speed of this eq5 assembly?

[@emrik105]

thank you so much for this video

[@MPAstro]

Most welcome 😊

[@lepetitbaigneur9073]

what were your values in PHD2 after this tuning?

[@MPAstro]

I was getting around 0.94 RMS roughly, But I don't get too obsessive with RMS figures, as long I am guidng OK on PHD the astro imaging night, and getting no star trails, then I'm totally fine with it.

[@lepetitbaigneur9073]

@@MPAstro yeah, that's a pretty good number! Nice explanations, definitely gonna try to tune my eq5 too

[@jamesdougan8789]

i have a celestron nexstar evo mount and my alt sticks like the eq5 mount when the clutches are off and if you tighten the clutch then operate the mount they tighten up to the point where you have to use a tool to loosen the clutch again ( i use large plier handles and two hands to loosen them again and its not easy ) this cannot be right and the mount is only 2 months old bought new or is this right /normal ???? ... will you be doing a celestron se /nexstar evo mount rebuild in the future ???? as lots of people have them ??? great videos love ya work keep the videos coming very interesting stuff i have subscribed and i hit the like button on everyone of your videos but sorry i don't do facebook twitter etc cheers james D

[@MPAstro]

After the strip down which part 2 will be on it's way (hopefully finish off the video editing next week), I noticed that the main gear rings do not have bearings between like you do on the NEQ-6. These gear rings just slide around the shaft axis and only grease which is creates a layer film between the shaft and gear ring here I think that where the problem lies, has during assembly the shafts are free to rotate but has soon has I place and tension the worm drive the axis tightens up which then the axis are stiff. It looks to me it's the way the mount is designed, I've used the Geoptik type 2 shaft grease and the problem is still there. I'm looking at ways to try and rectify the problem and hopefully get back to you when Part 3 is complete. Still with axis being stiff there's no free play and I've cured the problem on the very stiff DEC axis, which is now a lot more free to rotate but still stiff.

[@MrRosentrotter]

Is the EQ5 the same as the EQ5 PRO?

[@MPAstro]

Yes it is!!

[@jakobstein3574]

Is it a go to mount or just tracking?

[@MPAstro]

Goto mount

[@martijnschuman]

Should I buy the EQ5 or the EQM35?

[@MPAstro]

It really depends on what telescope you are mounting on. Both mounts are good, but remember the payload of your set-up. The EQ-5 can handle 9Kg while EQM35 is around 7Kg max.