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Old 24-04-2014, 01:58 PM
raymo
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More HEQ5 problems

Does anyone know if there is a person or company that can
diagnose/fix HEQ5 GoTo problems. My main problem seems
to be in the electronics, and needs to be sorted by an expert,
but there are two other aspects of the mount that are a nuisance.
If you begin aligning with, say, Rigel and Acrux, for a couple of
iterations all is well, and on maybe the third iteration, Acrux is not
available on the list, and Alpha Centauri comes in in place of it; so
start aligning again, using A.Cent, and the same thing happens in
reverse; Acrux comes back onto the list, and A.Cent disappears.
Frustrating to say the least. The hunting back and forth near the
target has started happening again. When adjusting the azimuth
during aligning you have to slightly slacken the main mounting
bolt so you can turn the adjusting knobs, which seems to introduce
inaccuracy into the operation, as though the mount doesn't return
to it's exact position after retightening the mounting bolt. I will get,
for example + 45secs +17secs+3secs on successive adjustments, and then on the final tiny adjustment it might jump to -28secs.
Maddening. I think I might go back to drift aligning.
raymo
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  #2  
Old 24-04-2014, 04:15 PM
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LewisM
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Which handset software version are you using? I use a Synscan with the GPD2 and NEQ6 and I do an iterative polar realign too (SO much easier and quicker than a drift alignment and can get it sub minute in around 4 iterations on average in both axes) and have NEVER seen it suggest alternate stars UNLESS I change from a 2 star align to a 3 star alignment.

To be honest, I always found the 3 star alignment poor compared to the 2 star with a subsequent PAE subsequent align on another star in the other horizon (usually not much off anyway, and now the error is reduced even more). In total, I do a 2 star align with whatever iterations it takes to get sub-minute on both, then do refinements with PAE on at least 4 more stars, and I ALWAYS have the resulting AP target almost smack bang centre of chip every time.

If you are Synscan 3.35, can I suggest reversion to 3.28 Beta 15 or 3.27
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Old 24-04-2014, 06:41 PM
raymo
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Hi Lewis, Yes I'm using 3.35, which I seem to recall some people had trouble with when it first came out. Like you, I never 3 star align, never
found any improvement over 2 star. The main problem that I didn't
enlarge upon in my post, but that I need to get fixed, is that at some stage, during most sessions, the graphics disappear from the HC; all buttons except the motor control ones become inactive, but it continues
to track. The only fix is to switch off and on again at the mount, and go through the initialisation again. A real bummer if in the middle of an imaging session. Last night was different; it stopped trackng as well, and the motor buttons died as well, but it still fired up again as usual, after switching off/on. Something has to be seriously wrong because I
experimented by completing a 2 star align the other night, down to just under a minute's accuracy, and then did another one using different stars, and the first iteration told me I was over 7degs out in Az, and
3 degs in Alt. Crazy. You suggested going back to 3.27; that doesn't
have PA assist does it? I don't know because I was on 3.20 before.
raymo
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Old 24-04-2014, 07:00 PM
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Ray,

I don't use the PA assist anyway - I do a 2 star, let it tell me my mean alt and az errors, adjust the mount and keep trying (this is after I use a compass on a 1 metre oak dowel to get CLOSE south, minus the magnetic declination of course - you being in WA would need to add that declination).

I keep doing the 2 star until I get sub-minute alignment. Guiding will usually take care of the rest (especially with a GOOD guide algorithm like MaxIM uses - much "stronger" than PHD's). SOMETIMES I will keep going till I get around 5 seconds out - which is accurate enough for me and PHD will guide that easily too. On average, with the NEQ6 I take 1 iteration (because I can fit the oak dowel through the polar scope hole in the shaft - made a special centring jig), the GPD2 around 4.

Then, I will slew to an opposite horizon star, realign it, use the PAE function, hit enter, and it recomputes the error etc.

NEVER have I used the Polar realignment function since trialling it, because when I did, it was telling me to slew the OPPOSITE direction to what was correct (they still have not remedied this apparently).

I believe either your motor control board is going U/S or the HC is. If it is under 5 years old, and was bought from someone OTHER than Andrew's, Tasco will cover the warranty on it. I have never had an issue with Tasco replacing parts - needed a Dec motor replaced on an HEQ5 and a board on an NEQ6 - all gratis. If it is through Andrew's, I believe you have to send to them, and they deal with it.
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Old 24-04-2014, 08:16 PM
raymo
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Sorry, I inadvertently led you astray; I meant the fact that it shows the
error after completing alignment, 3.20 didn't do that. I don't use the
actual PA assist either. Sadly, I bought it used, and the original supplier
[ Andrews]only covers the original purchaser, so I'm probably stuck with a sizeable bill. It's now four months over the five years, so it's all academic anyway. Any idea where is the best place to send it? [that
alone will cost a bomb]. Actually, it might be a good idea to send the HC on it's own first, and have that checked.
raymo

Last edited by raymo; 24-04-2014 at 08:18 PM. Reason: more info.
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Old 24-04-2014, 09:31 PM
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Can you borrow a hand controller to see if its the hand controller or the motor control board causing the problem?
Might save you some time and expense
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Old 24-04-2014, 11:01 PM
raymo
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Hi Larryp, I could have done before B.T.O.W. closed down, but I don't
know anyone locally with any go to scope, let alone one with the same
hand controller. Small town. Upon reflection, I tend to think that it is
more likely to be the hand controller; why would the motor control board
cause the graphics to disappear, and all the non motor related command
buttons to de-activate , and usually leave the mount tracking, and the motor
control buttons operational ? Any recommendations as to where to send the
HC to be checked would be gratefully received.
raymo

Last edited by raymo; 24-04-2014 at 11:20 PM. Reason: more info
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Old 25-04-2014, 06:34 AM
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Larryp (Laurie)
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Hi Raymo
You could try calling Bintel in Sydney. They could probably fix it or get it fixed for you.
I think you would only need to send your electronics and cables.
Just a thought-have you made sure your cable connections between the hand control and motor control box are good?
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Old 25-04-2014, 10:54 AM
raymo
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Hi again Laurie, I was one who had trouble with the HC cable when I first
got the mount. B.T.O.W. sent me a replacement free,[even though they didn't sell me the mount] and I got the original one recrimped, and no
trouble after that till now. I've changed the cable, and will get out on the
next reasonably clear night and see what happens. I'll give Bintel a ring
and see what they can offer by way of help.
raymo
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Old 25-04-2014, 12:56 PM
raymo
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Hi again Laurie and Lewis, it's in the hand controller; I have it powered stand alone, and if I hold it screen face down and tap it on the palm of my hand a few times, the graphics disappear and all buttons de-activate,
and if I unplug it and re-plug it, it comes back to life again. So at least the mount seems o.k.
raymo
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Old 25-04-2014, 01:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo View Post
Hi again Laurie and Lewis, it's in the hand controller; I have it powered stand alone, and if I hold it screen face down and tap it on the palm of my hand a few times, the graphics disappear and all buttons de-activate,
and if I unplug it and re-plug it, it comes back to life again. So at least the mount seems o.k.
raymo
Maybe a loose connection, Ray
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  #12  
Old 25-04-2014, 01:40 PM
raymo
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I had a quick look inside with a magnifying glass, but nothing obvious. I'll
give Bintel a bell and see what they recommend. Could be a dry joint;
if so, would probably be cheaper to replace the board
.raymo

Last edited by raymo; 25-04-2014 at 01:42 PM. Reason: more info
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