First night with AM3, terrible noise!

R0k9pZfT

I'm hoping this is a weight problem...I was testing my new AM3 in the back yard for its first night out, and I noticed guiding stopped and the mount wasn't moving. I heard and felt a periodic knocking sound, and when I started slewing it made an awful buzzing noise and stopped. I gave it some gentle upward pressure and problem solved. This happened again later when it was in a similar position. I hope that since the weight of the scope was entirely perpendicular to the mount at the time means I was pushing the weight limit. The whole mess (OTA, rings, camera, etc) measures at 7.3 kg on my postal scale.

If this is just weight, would the counterweight bar alone be sufficient to offset the problem?

deadshad

R0k9pZfT I had the same issue when overloaded my am3 (~ 8kg rig) without counterweight. Belt slipped with same noice when i pushed mount to home position. No consequences, it works well after it with guiding accuracy 0.4-0.5. I think it is better to do not use counterweight bar alone, add 2-3kg to it.