Belt modifying an NEQ-6 pro astrophotographic mount - Part 7

This is the last part in the belt modification project.

In this part I talk about the tests I've done and the adjustments I've made on the mount, as well as the ones I'll continue to do. I demonstrate the improvement in sound, and show that after the modification, my guiding error has improved by over 20 per cent to around 1 arc second (RMS). (After further adjustment of PHD2 settings, the guiding error fell again to 0.67 arc-sec RMS.)

There's also a test image of faint nebula SH2-308, where I used 300 second narrowband exposures.



In astrophotography, replacing a chain of gears with a single belt in an equatorial mount addresses the problem of backlash. After this modification, the only mechanical transmission left is the worm gear, and this is adjustable for backlash.

Backlash in your astrophotography mount prevents an autoguider (such as PHD2) from making fast adjustments, especially in declination. This is because reversing the direction your mount is moving involves a delay when the gears take up the backlash. The more backlash, the slower your autoguider is to compensate when the guide star drifts, and the worse your tracking is.

The product I'm using is the Rowan Astronomy Belt Kit for EQ6 NEQ6 EQ6Pro NEQ6Pro and Orion Atlas EQ-G with Synscan goto drives. (http://www.rowanastronomy.com/)


Disclaimer: This video is offered with good intentions only and have no monetary or otherwise ramifications for OpticsCentral/Bill. Neither OpticsCentral nor Bill Stent is to be held responsible for damages inflicted on your gear as a result of following these instructions (spoken, written or inferred). Please exercise caution when doing this mod!

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