Vixen

[Mr Jack Martin]

There is play on this axis.
Does anyone know how to take it apart to fix. I have taken the dovetail plate off, the shaft is not accessable.There appears to be no easy way access to the shaft, which I assume has worked loose.
Thanks,
Jack

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_20241227_145448-scaled.jpg
   

2. 

   IMG_20241227_145457-scaled.jpg
   

[David Arditti]

I took one of these apart, but I’m not sure if I took it apart in the way you want. I was trying to improve the azimuth bearing (not really a bearing, just a screw), but it was not improvable. I discovered these mounts are mechanically of poor construction, and if yours has gone wrong it may not be worth trying to fix. I junked mine but used the legs, which are fine, as a tripod for a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount. I still have the upper part, which you would be welcome to have if you want to try to use it as spare parts for yours.

[Mr Jack Martin]

David,
Thanks for the information regarding the build quality.
The slow motion controls leave a lot to be desired too.
Thank you will you be at Saturday Astrofest to collect.
Happy New Year,
Jack

[Dawson]

Jack there is a video of a chap making adjustmetns to one of these mounts, and also a thread on cloudy nights describing adjustment of the slop in the system, these may help you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvf8SJiXZOg

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/382939-vixen-porta-mount-repair/

James

[David Arditti]

Dear Jack,

I can probably be at Saturday Astrofest. I’ll definitely be at the BAA meeting on 18 January and can bring the mount head.

I agree the slow motion rods are not very good. I think I bought some longer flexible rods to see if they worked better, but I can’t recall if they proved effective.

David

[Mr Jack Martin]

David,
I will see you at the Jan 18 meeting.
Thank you for the mount head.
Longer flexible rods definitely work better.
Regards,
Jack

[Mr Jack Martin]

James,
I looked at both links.
Followed instructions got the badge off but no bolt. Took the dovetail plate off but no access to bolt (on either side).
I think the manufacturer changed design to what’s described in link, and special tools are probably needed to service it.
No one appears to provide such a service.
Thanks for your help,
Jack

Attachments:

1. 

   IMG_20241229_100227-scaled.jpg
   

[Robin Leadbeater]

Jack,

It looks like now you have got the badge off, you also now have to remove the plate underneath which is glued on. The chap here drilled it, screwed in a self tapping screw and pulled it off

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/648277-disassembling-a-porta-ii/?p=9112803

Cheers
Robin

[Mr Jack Martin]

Robin,
Thank you for the link.
I see what to do now.
I’ll have a go at it.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR ADVICES.
Jack

[Author]

Posts