Break doesn't hold

park123

I have been using my AM5 mount with a redcat51 ASI2600MM filters etc and in a small roll back roof observatory.At the end of the session, I would home the mount no issues as it fitted under the roof
I have just swapped the Red cat for the larger scope a Askar 130mm scope.Being much longer it needs to be parked to a flat position after homing the mount so I can shut the roof.When I tried this and turned the power off the telescope started to fall over.I thought the break was supposed to stop this from happening.Is this correct or do I have to try and balance the mount better.Currently, the only way I can close the roof is to leave the power on the mount.
Am I missing something here??
Any ideas would be great
Thanks

w7ay

park123 Am I missing something here??

Keep in mind that there is no brake in the declination axis. This is from an AM5 FAQ page.

Unless you live on the Equator, depending on the exerted torque on the declination, of course the FAQ is wrong about not needing a brake on the declination axis.

The higher the latitude, the worse the problem from a missing declination brake -- imagine you are Santa Claus; the decination axis would need as much braking as the RA axis needs for someone who lives on the Earth's equator. (I am waiting for @Byrdsfan1948 to chime in ... Al? I am only a retired electrical engineer :-).

Any ideas would be great

I guess you can make up some kind of temporary weight that you can hang on one end of the OTA after you home it, before you power the thing off. Or use a stick (tall tripod?) at the other end to keep the heavier end from falling -- probably won't even need to be strong.

Chen

park123

Hi Chen thanks for this.I was thinking of getting my old tripod out and having that to one side ready.I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong.
Also thanks for your guiding thoughts I was reading some old posts they were quite useful

Cheers
Stu

w7ay

park123 I was thinking of getting my old tripod out and having that to one side ready.

I was imagining one of these "tripod walkers" (walking stick that has a three pointed base at the floor end of the walking stick). But some really lightweight tripod used by people to hold up tablets will work too. Or a microphone stand if you happen to record vocals or musical instruments. Don't have to be strong at all, since we are talking compression forces at that end.

Thinking more about it, a simple rope, or light chain, that hangs from near the base of your pier to the lighter end of the OTA might work too. Might be the "minimal" solution. The chain can be attached to the OTA with velcro strap (or even just something converted from an unused dew heater strap).

Chen