Issue leveling AM3 mount in Alt-Az mode

paulitoweb

Hello,
I recently purchased a ZWO AM3 mount, and I’m very impressed with the build quality. However, I’m encountering an issue when using it in Alt-Az mode, which was one of the reasons I chose this mount for visual observation.

When I position the mount at 90° for Alt-Az use, I’m unable to level the mount head properly. Even when the TC-40 tripod is perfectly leveled, the mount head itself is noticeably off-level. I confirmed this by placing the mount on a flat surface with a spirit level on top, and then comparing it with the level on the mount head — there is a clear discrepancy.

It seems that the adjustment knob is already at its maximum range.
Is there any way to resolve this issue? It looks like just half a turn more on the adjustment knob would be enough to achieve proper leveling.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Best regards,
Paolo

paulitoweb

Hello @ASIMount@ZWO, I would like to add that it seems the altitude adjustment knob stops just before allowing the mount head to be fully leveled.
If it were possible to adjust the end stop of the altitude adjustment screw, I believe the mount could be leveled properly.
If ZWO can provide instructions, I would be willing to perform this adjustment myself.

Thank you in advance for your support!
Paolo

paulitoweb

Apologies here again, wondering if it is considered accurate to use the bubble level directly on the plastic surface of the mount head to assess leveling... given that the plastic cover may not guarantee a perfectly flat and aligned reference plane, I am concerned that it could introduce measurement errors.

@ASIMount-ZWO / @ASIMount@ZWO, please confirm whether this is an acceptable method, or suggest a more precise reference surface on the mount for leveling?

Best regards,
Paolo