Losmandy hand controller not working

[JRC]

any losmandy G 8 or g 11 gurus out there I would appreciate some help. My GM8 (non Gemini) -which is a few years old - was fine but has had a failure in the hand controller somewhere possibly a loose connection

RA drive works on the various rates whether HC is plugged in or not
Dec drive works when plugged into RA slot is motors & wires all OK

RA & Dec pushbutton drives don't work.

Inspected back of circ board in the drive controller unit - all looks good, all connections LOOK fine (I dont think too much of Losmandys watersealing!)

About to pull the HC apart to check its connections; One solder joint on the lowest diamond has no solder...is that normal ?

Any hints appreciated - have you encountered or is there a known problem with this setup ?

Thanks John 0408 444 312

[blink138]

ha ha john i started a thread a few weeks ago, just a little further down this page but had no response
however i always start by changing the battery but i sort of knew that that was not the problem
the gemini HC is not a complicated device at all so i did not think that was the problem, so i logically thought of the cable and voila!
must admit had a bit of trouble finding one, no computer store had one and i found one online after googling
yours may not be the same problem, but maybe it is!
hope you sort it
pat

[wasyoungonce]

Hi John

The Digital drive HC is pretty simple. There is a schematic of it on the Yahoo Gemini site, see if this link works (https://xa.yimg.com/df/Losmandy_users/controller.jpg?token=4g2qdBAPfxJhfq In9f0uL5OuffFYlCSRT6TykP7tF29Z45_A2 YM0WvANhyCyRog0CRHjMkDxHyswPDC7jF86 iL0vV8bwV0pahjhAlTU&type=download).

Also an image of the back of the PCB here (https://xa.yimg.com/df/Losmandy_users/Hand+Controller.jpg?token=cGokIqePa pl90xvgAKAFFyePn2gMjpXdrA0X0eROB9ws qqCIprjtdwD6E4uMKpXLjWGRAmpUQkD0W66 qVL1SkgOV4O7gfTO-fVJrVxHJbti9hbQp&type=download). If the links do not open try the Gemini Yahoo site files section, down the bottom, for: controller.jpg and handcontroller.jpg. You need to be a member...or I can send you them via email...PM me if you need them.

All the buttons do is take +5V (RJ12 (6 pin RJ jack), pin2, black) and allow this to be switched by appropriate button presses to the appropriate out pins:3/4/5/6 to command direction movement. The capacitors are just de-bounce for the switches.

So, is your HC LED on? This shows if you have +5V. Sounds as if this wire is broken somewhere...usually in the RJ jack or lead, this would kill all other button operations..

Do you have a multimeter to trace the wires and connections? Measure for the +5V and that it is getting to the buttons!

If you need more help or have any questions fire away.

Brendan

edit:
Hi Pat...sorry didn't see your thread and would have replied if I did.:doh:

[Merlin66]

John,
I used the Losmandy GM8 motors and hand controller to "upgrade" an ol' TV Carton mount.
Works very well.
If you have a the same "basic" controller as I, I may be able to assist....
(Brendan - those links don't work....)

[wasyoungonce]

Hi Ken

the links work for members of the yahoo Losmandy group.

If anyone wants them I can email the diagram. Although...there is not much to see. meh...easier to post them up...

[JRC]

You are all very helpful and I thank you

The problem was some broken wires (2,3,4 ) out of 6 but the outer core wasn't obviously damaged until I stretched it slightly. The circuit diagram, and discovering the HC is just a bunch of switches, helped a lot.

Anyway Mike at Bintel fixed it in about 35 seconds. Free (well I did buy some more gear whle I was I the shop). Particular thanks Mike!!

Merry Christmas to all!



All works finr