Old mach1 stiff axis


George
 

Use the same grease as with the clutch plate.

 

Regards,

 

George

 

George Whitney

Astro-Physics, Inc.

Phone:  815-222-6538 (direct line)

Phone:  815-282-1513 (office)

Email:  george@...

Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Pamela Morgan
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 5:36 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

 

Will do.  I had only lightly greased one side of the rings and washers, basically just to make them stay put.  George, does it matter which grease I use on the ring?  I have the AP grease kit also.  

 

Thank you both:)

 

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 2:46 PM George <george@...> wrote:

…and grease both sides of the brass ring that that clutch plate sits on.

 

Regards,

 

George

 

George Whitney

Astro-Physics, Inc.

Phone:  815-222-6538 (direct line)

Phone:  815-282-1513 (office)

Email:  george@...

Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 4:18 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

 

Put as much as you want, the grease will spread itself out.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 4:05 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Thank you for clarifying, Roland.  Should it be just a thin coat like on the washers?  I can't wait to run it all clean and fresh again.  

 

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 1:59 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:

You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

 

Rolando

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


midnightsnacks
 

When I did the clutch re-grease I didn’t come across any little washers.

I have a late model Mach1, I think it was part of the final production run.

Could mine be different?

All the best,
Kevin.

On Dec 2, 2022, at 8:22 AM, Chris White <chris.white@...> wrote:

On Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 05:20 AM, Andy Ermolli wrote:
The RA and DEC axes on my Mach1 have been stiff since new. The RA does not rotate under its own weight.
I never worried about it but should I disassemble and degrease? I bought the mount in 2013.

Andy,

Regreasing the clutches is so easy, you have nothing to lose!  (Except maybe the tiny little brass washers, so keep an eye on those). 

Seriously though, I'd def recommend you perform this service. 


Chris White
 

On Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 05:20 AM, Andy Ermolli wrote:
The RA and DEC axes on my Mach1 have been stiff since new. The RA does not rotate under its own weight.
I never worried about it but should I disassemble and degrease? I bought the mount in 2013.

Andy,

Regreasing the clutches is so easy, you have nothing to lose!  (Except maybe the tiny little brass washers, so keep an eye on those). 

Seriously though, I'd def recommend you perform this service. 


Andy Ermolli
 

The RA and DEC axes on my Mach1 have been stiff since new. The RA does not rotate under its own weight.
I never worried about it but should I disassemble and degrease? I bought the mount in 2013.


Chris White
 

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 06:36 PM, Pamela Morgan wrote:
Will do.  I had only lightly greased one side of the rings and washers, basically just to make them stay put.  George, does it matter which grease I use on the ring?  I have the AP grease kit also.  
 
Thank you both:)
Pamela,

I used this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lucas-Oil-Products-8-oz-White-Lithium-Grease/50353744

It's nice and light. The AP special grease will be too heavy per Roland. 

The white lithium grease made a big difference for me. 


Pamela Morgan
 

Will do.  I had only lightly greased one side of the rings and washers, basically just to make them stay put.  George, does it matter which grease I use on the ring?  I have the AP grease kit also.  

Thank you both:)

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 2:46 PM George <george@...> wrote:

…and grease both sides of the brass ring that that clutch plate sits on.

 

Regards,

 

George

 

George Whitney

Astro-Physics, Inc.

Phone:  815-222-6538 (direct line)

Phone:  815-282-1513 (office)

Email:  george@...

Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 4:18 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

 

Put as much as you want, the grease will spread itself out.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 4:05 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Thank you for clarifying, Roland.  Should it be just a thin coat like on the washers?  I can't wait to run it all clean and fresh again.  

 

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 1:59 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:

You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

 

Rolando

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


George
 

…and grease both sides of the brass ring that that clutch plate sits on.

 

Regards,

 

George

 

George Whitney

Astro-Physics, Inc.

Phone:  815-222-6538 (direct line)

Phone:  815-282-1513 (office)

Email:  george@...

Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/astrophysicscorp 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 4:18 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

 

Put as much as you want, the grease will spread itself out.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 4:05 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Thank you for clarifying, Roland.  Should it be just a thin coat like on the washers?  I can't wait to run it all clean and fresh again.  

 

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 1:59 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:

You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

 

Rolando

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


Roland Christen
 

Put as much as you want, the grease will spread itself out.

Roland

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 4:05 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Thank you for clarifying, Roland.  Should it be just a thin coat like on the washers?  I can't wait to run it all clean and fresh again.  

On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 1:59 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

Rolando

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


Pamela Morgan
 

Thank you for clarifying, Roland.  Should it be just a thin coat like on the washers?  I can't wait to run it all clean and fresh again.  


On Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 1:59 PM Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

Rolando

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


Roland Christen
 

You can grease that part too. The clutches won't slip when they are tightened.

Rolando

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Morgan <pfmckee@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Thu, Dec 1, 2022 3:52 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics


Pamela Morgan
 

Hi Chris.

Sorry for jumping in on this so late.  I'm also in the process of cleaning and re greasing my first generation Mach1.  My first time taking it apart.  It has been quite a learning experience.  This thread has been really helpful.  I just wanted to clarify which part of the clutch you are applying the white lithium grease to.  Isn't the tapered part where the clutches make contact?  Seems like they would slip, but I am NOT mechanically inclined....at all.

Is this the tapered part you are referring to:


Thanks in advance.
pam


Bill Long
 

Fresh PEC, good model, and I bet it'll do well.



From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Chris White <chris.white@...>
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2022 2:20 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Old mach1 stiff axis
 
Thanks!  I'm looking forward to testing it out!  

I'll be using with epsilon (3 to 5 min) as well as the GTX (5 to 10min) .  On the GTX I have space for an oag. Trickier with epsilon. 


Chris White
 

Thanks!  I'm looking forward to testing it out!  

I'll be using with epsilon (3 to 5 min) as well as the GTX (5 to 10min) .  On the GTX I have space for an oag. Trickier with epsilon. 


Joseph Beyer
 

Good luck! My late model Mach1 will do 3 minute subs all night unguided with my FSQ-106 on top. I’ve run it to 5 minutes several times and still have nice round stars but with a guidescope on it already it’s easy to just start it and leave it.  With a good Dec arc sequence running in the background there aren’t that many corrections made in a 5 minute stretch though. 


Emilio J. Robau, P.E.
 

Okay,

I thought you also owned an 1100.  Too bad on the 400.


Chris White
 

On Wed, Nov 23, 2022 at 12:36 PM, Emilio J. Robau, P.E. wrote:
Chris,

Why a Mach 1?  I see you have owned a few AP mounts, 900 1100.  Why did you choose to seek out and rehab a Mach 1?
I never had an 1100...

I had a 900, wonderful mount.  I sold it though when my name came up for a Mach2.  The mach2 is setup in a small obsy, but I have a limited horizon due to trees.  A nice northern view but I cant go below Dec 10 really.  So Orion is out, etc...

I wanted a small portable mount I could move around my yard for better views, but I didnt want to disturb the Mach2 so I bought a 400GTO this summer.  Unfortunately, I couldnt get it to work for me despite a trip back to AP.  Unresolvable backlash in DEC.  Great for visual but not for imaging. 

I considered the new strainwave mounts, but I just don't trust them yet and not willing to be an early adopter.  Plus, I'd REALLY like to image unguided if possible.  I already have a spare copy of APCC and I trust AP mounts and the company.... So that left me with finding a Mach1.


Emilio J. Robau, P.E.
 

Chris,

Why a Mach 1?  I see you have owned a few AP mounts, 900 1100.  Why did you choose to seek out and rehab a Mach 1?


Chris White
 

Kevin,

I don't know if there is a document, but it is SUPER easy to do. 

See the photo below: 

Remove the saddle mounting plate from DEC axis.  You will see 4 bolts in the center.  Remove these 4 bolts and the clutch assembly comes apart.  It's not really complicated and there are not too many pieces so there is no worry about confusing things.  Just be careful as there are 4 small brass washers between the ring gear and the central pillar where the 4 bolts are.  I didnt realize this and a couple fell into the axis and I had to fish them out.  Once you separate everything, just clean up all the old grease and reapply grease on the top and bottom of the big brass washer, as well as the tapered section of the central pillar.  Then reassemble.  Thats it.

You will see the same configuration for the RA axis once you remove the DEC axis from the mount. 

Its easier to reassemble if you orient the mount so that the 4 bolts are perfectly vertical. Once you grease it the pieces will slide around a little, and a vertical orientation will help keep it all where it belongs.


midnightsnacks
 

Hello,
Is there documentation available that would help guide me through a clutch re-grease on my Mach1?

Thank you,
Kevin.

On Nov 22, 2022, at 9:04 PM, Emilio J. Robau, P.E. <ejr@...> wrote:

Who needs a companion robot when you have an AP mount.


Emilio J. Robau, P.E.
 

Who needs a companion robot when you have an AP mount.