Telescope motion failure
Friday, March 28, 2025 7:20 AM
Problem(s) Encountered:
The telescope did not complete slew and we had to stop and re-try slew to got to target.
About 30 minutes later a similar issue happened. We began slew to new target at same time as stopping guiding.
The telescope slewed in Dec but not RA. Stopped slew and re-tried with the same result and the telescope stopped moving in RA.
The telescope is locked at HA -02:20
Tried resetting the sidereal rate and nothing happened.
Tried sending telescope to zenith and could only move in Declination.
Tried using hand paddle to move telescope and it would only move North South, not East West.
Tried restarting TCS and nothing resolved.
Shut the mirror covers and shut down dome for the night.
Solution:
Drive train was seized. Pulled apart RA drive system and found a bolt on one of the pulleys had walked out, causing the pulley to seize on a cross support. Tightened up and reassembled. Tested and all seems well.