Az Eq6 Slewing Issues

[FrankyT]

I have recently purchased an AZ EQ6. Three times now during an alignment it will continue slewing in declination passed the selected object and hit the tripod. The only thing that stops it is to cut the power. I have a stable 12 volt supply, levelled the tripod and balanced the equipment. Now I have updated all software including motor controllers - I wish I hadn't as I now cant compare it to older software. I cant remember if it was during a polar alignment or the other alignments when the issue occurs. The last time it did it I was aligning on Alpha Centauri.

I have to take note more closely when it happens ie which axis, which alignment and star.

[glend]

Is it new and under warranty? Who did you buy it from Some versions of Syncscan softeare have polar alignment error correction bugs, V3.36 I think.

[Dealy]

Sorry to hear you're having problems. The AZ EQ6 is a great mount.

Have you had it set up and working ok or has it been playing up from the start?

Mine is on a pier but I vaguely remember a time when on the tripod the scope almost hit one of the legs. Do you have it set up with one leg pointing south? Anyway, that's not the issue, the issue is it keeps slewing past the object.

Umm.. are you selecting EQ mode on the hand piece when starting up, and have you entered your coordinates and time/date correctly?

Dumb questions I know but it's easy to overlook something.

[LewisM]

Avoid the Polar alignment routine at all costs - it is absolutely buggy - I did a polar alignment routine on my setup once. Before I did it, I KNOW I was within a few seconds of perfect polar alignment, so I ran the routine as a giggle more than anything.

It told me I was 173° off.

Yeah. Right.

In other words, it probably thought I was NORTHERN hemisphere (yes, of course my lat long are correct).

The PA and Polar Realignment routine in Synscan does NOT work properly.

Do an alignment with a good compass and inclinometer. Run a 2 star alignment. Reiterate that alignment, making MANUAL small adjustments when it reports back your mean alt and az error. Keep doing that till the errors are small. Easier than a drift alignment, and can be completed in about 10 minutes (depending how far out your initial compass and inclinometer errors were).

[killswitch]

You sure youve got the dovetail facing the right way in EQ mode?

The dovetail knobs should be facing the power supply port.

Its easy to face it the wrong way when switching between ALT-AZ to EQ mode.

[jjz]

I always thought this didn't matter as long as you are consistent ?

[killswitch]

I had a similar issue when i first got the az-eq and i remember fixing it by rotating the dovetail around. Ive always faced it that way since.. could be wrong though.

[FrankyT]

Thank you for responses. I'll answer your questions here.

I recently purchased from Astro Petes and I picked it up the day it came from Tasco. I updated the software almost straight away to latest 4.37.03 and also updated the motor contoller software. Now regretting the updates.

I do have the knobs of the dovetail knobs facing the power supply face by habit - I didnt know there was a wrong way.

Intersting comments about the polar alignment. I do find the latest software glitchy and the worst is why I am here.

I am not sure if its the software or a problem with the mount I assume software for now. There is a back lash issue I need to address software wise. I have downloaded again the synscan software but this time from Canadian Skywacher site. I have yet to try the mount out with the re upload. Shouldnt make a difference but you never know.

I have a half pier mount attached and I am using a Skywatcher ED120.

THANKS FOR COMMENTS

[RobC]

FrankT,

The AZ-EQ 6 is an exceptional mount and tracks exceeding well.

As we discussed last time we chatted at Astro Petes drop into my place and we will set it up and get it working for you.

Cheers

RobC

[FrankyT]

FURTHER

It appears the fault may be the control board and one is being shipped from Sydney.

Nope that and a replacement hand controller didn't work. I've swapped batteries as well.

[FrankyT]

Thanks Rob Look forward to our meet. Frank.