EQ6 mount to hand controller cable

[amoeba]

Hi,

I have recently purchased an EQ6 Pro mount but would like to make a longer cable from the mount head to the SynScan hand controller. Could anyone point me in a direction for a cable pinout? I have seen cables for sale on Astronomiser, but i already have all the necessary components in my electronics lab to DIY. Many Thanks

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Mick

Welcome to IIS!
I have the same problem with the cable, it's too short and being coiled it makes it even worse.

I asked a similar question back in January but I can't remember the answer. I know a few people have made their own similar to what you want to do. I'm sure they'll post the response soon.

I didn't do anything with mine at the time and for now I've just been living with it, but might take the opportunity to make it longer and better.

[iceman (Mike)]

btw, is that an 8" newt on your EQ6? Do you do photography with it?

[amoeba]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your welcome

Yes, I have a 8" newt which I have had for a 12 months now. I have only started astrophotography this year, previously I had a EQ5 mount with dual drives, I could get ~30sec exposures of reasonable quality (probably only using 1 in 5 shots though).

Have not had a chance to try the new mount yet as weather here (and for you too in Gosford!) has been either cloudy, raining or very windy.

[DeanoNZL (Adrian)]

Hi Guys,
Here is a pdf of the mount connections.
Remember to always triple check your wiring, would hate to hear it went POP!
Regards

[amoeba]

Many thanks Adrian, exactly what i was searching for

[KG8]

Before you go to all the trouble you may want to consider just moving the HC out of the EP tray and up onto the tripod leg. I just did that mod and it has a lot of advantages. I'm usually sitting down when I view so the raising and angling makes it much easier to view. I added a heated pad to it as well. These HC's can screw up around 3deg or below.

Here is a pic at the rough stage of development.

[g__day (Matthew)]

When I have made cables longer - 4, 6 or 8 pin - I prefer using LAN cable and just grabbing the leads I need. LAN cable tends to be very tough, cheap and durable. So long as you have all the crimping and soldering tools and break out boxes you need it simplifies the job. You can get coloured (other than blue) LAN cables if you want to distinguish the wiring visually.

Worth considering over normal flat or coiled cables in my experience!

PS

Any decent multi-meter is also very worth having!