NEQ6 Pro circuit board

[deanm]

I've been experiencing deteriorating ability to power the mount: intermittent flashing 'power on' light, hand controller occasionally unresponsive.
I've tried multiple 12V power sources: same ongoing result.
Does anyone know where I can I can source a replacement mount circuit board - because that's where I think the problem is.
(I pulled it out to inspect, but but couldn't identify any obvious issues - but that doesn't mean there aren't any).
Has anyone else experienced this?
Cheers!
Dean

[glend]

Pretty common i believe. The socket on the board breaks a connection to the board through movement when you plug into it. It can be fixed. Talk to Bintel.

[deanm]

Many thanks for your speedy reply, Glen!
Dean

[jenchris]

That socket is a nasty piece of engineering.
Better to replace it with a more reliable design

[LucasB]

Have you tried a 15V power supply? It could be a voltage drop problem which can be resolved using 15V. The manual stipulates you can use 11-15V. If you google NEQ6 and flashing power light you should find some advice on the issue. For me, it occurred mainly when slewing when the mount was drawing the most power. Using 15V solved the issue for me. Others have used 13.8V with success also.

[deanm]

Thanks, Lucas - I'll give it a go!
Dean

[bojan]

Hmmm...

If manual mentioned 11V as minimum, that means the mount MUST work correctly down to 11V (at power terminal on the mount), otherwise the mount (or whatever appliance it may be) is faulty.

15V as maximum voltage means you are NOT supposed to cross that limit, because the appliance could be damaged.

EDIT:
Added comment in red.

[LucasB]

If you don't have any luck and you did want to replace the board you can buy them from telescope express in Germany:
http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p3446_Main-board---Motherboard-for-EQ6-SkyScan-SynScan-Pro-mount.html

[LucasB]

The NEQ6 has been known for a long time to give problems at voltages lower than 11.5V. This thread discusses that 12V is generally not enough either. A lot are running at 13.8V.
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/126780-mains-power-supply-for-neq6/

[bojan]

Lucas,
In that case manual is not written correctly... Or electronics for those mounts is not designed properly, or the productions uses dodgy parts....

Anyway... in this particular case (Dean's mount) obviously something deteriorated over time (because it was working OK before).

[LucasB]

Hi Bojan,
Correct, correct and correct! I would still try a higher voltage power supply as the problem seems to develop over time most likely due to the issues you have mentioned. The slightly higher voltage appears to have worked for others. I noticed after I belt modded the issue arose for me. Maybe the motors were doing a little more work and drawing more current?
Cheers,
Lucas

[bojan]

Depends on what exactly you have done... Belt mod should not increase current consumption per se... Steppers are actually drawing more current when not moving at all (unless the circuit is clever and cuts the power when motor stays in one position). Maybe you tweaked the motor driver?

[deanm]

I really appreciate everyone's input - I'm doing a voltage test later today (because I found that a freshly-charged 12 V battery didn't produce the problem - but it did after a short period of slewing...).
Dean

[deanm]

And Lucas: "If you don't have any luck and you did want to replace the board you can buy them from telescope express in Germany"
Thanks for the link: Eu121 isn't too scary (& just as well I speak German - do you, too?!)
Dean

[deanm]

And my 'der'! - they have an English language version anyway!
Dean

[Merlin66]

For the past ten years I've used a 12 to 15volt converter on both my HEQ5 and NEQ6 mounts. Certainly works for me. No issues, no drama.
I think you find them in Jaycar etc.
It's a 120 watt rating.
Give it a go.....

[deanm]

Thanks for advice, Ken!
Any issues with DC electrical connections?
https://www.jaycar.com.au/dc-to-dc-step-down-voltage-converter-module/p/AA0236?utm_campaign=redirect&utm_source=AA0218r&utm_medium=web

[Merlin66]

Hmmm
It's like this one with a 12v cigar connector and a 2.1mm plug....
but rated for 120w.....at 12/15/18v outputs....
https://www.jaycar.com.au/60w-regulated-car-power-adaptor/p/MP3478
or maybe something similar here....
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/universal-laptop-car-charger

[deanm]

Thanks to everyone: Teleskop shipped me a replacement circuit board in prompt fashion and all is now fine.
I highly recommend them.
Dean