g__day
18-12-2011, 10:50 AM
I am trying to help a friend using a 3-4 year old CG5 mount that I gave him a while ago.
The mount is showing strange behaviours that may be due to an underwhelming powersupply (or a hand controller firmware glitch etc).
I powered it from a small multi voltage adapter set to 12V (unknown amps) plugged into mains. I set the location to Sydney, Australia, the time 23:00:00, daylight saving on, GMT zone 10, date check -> go.
The strange behaviours are pointing and slew related:
1. On start up alignment I selected Solar System -> Jupiter
It slewed about 20 degrees away and stopped. Then about 5 seconds later it slewed 10 degrees closer. Then 5-10 seconds later it slewed another 10 degrees ... WTF?
2. On slewing one motor would respond to the rate selected 1-9 (slow to fast), the other motor would always be on th efastest possible speed.
3. After aligning on Jupiter I tried a goto Sirius and then M42 - whoa Nelly - way off!
So I feel I have let down this friend at the moment and would to get this sorted. My first thoughts are the powersupply is poor.
So step one - I reckon a Powertech 12V 5amp regulated powersupply is likely the best first move:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults.asp?keywords=MP-3242&keyform=KEYWORD&SUBMIT.x=0&SUBMIT.y=0
12VDC 5A DESKTOP POWER SUPPLY - FIXED 2.5MM PLUG (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3242&keywords=MP%2D3242&form=KEYWORD)
Versatile switchmode power supplies in a range of different configurations
Next thoughts are do a factory reset on the hand controller. Step three would be flash the handcontrollers firmware for motors and controller.
Step four would be send it to BinTel for servicing after Christmas.
Would folk have any other suggestions. This mount originally gave me issues ~ 2007, got replaced with a brand new unit under warranty, then was quite reliable for a very long time!
Many thanks all,
Matthew
The mount is showing strange behaviours that may be due to an underwhelming powersupply (or a hand controller firmware glitch etc).
I powered it from a small multi voltage adapter set to 12V (unknown amps) plugged into mains. I set the location to Sydney, Australia, the time 23:00:00, daylight saving on, GMT zone 10, date check -> go.
The strange behaviours are pointing and slew related:
1. On start up alignment I selected Solar System -> Jupiter
It slewed about 20 degrees away and stopped. Then about 5 seconds later it slewed 10 degrees closer. Then 5-10 seconds later it slewed another 10 degrees ... WTF?
2. On slewing one motor would respond to the rate selected 1-9 (slow to fast), the other motor would always be on th efastest possible speed.
3. After aligning on Jupiter I tried a goto Sirius and then M42 - whoa Nelly - way off!
So I feel I have let down this friend at the moment and would to get this sorted. My first thoughts are the powersupply is poor.
So step one - I reckon a Powertech 12V 5amp regulated powersupply is likely the best first move:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults.asp?keywords=MP-3242&keyform=KEYWORD&SUBMIT.x=0&SUBMIT.y=0
12VDC 5A DESKTOP POWER SUPPLY - FIXED 2.5MM PLUG (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3242&keywords=MP%2D3242&form=KEYWORD)
Versatile switchmode power supplies in a range of different configurations
Next thoughts are do a factory reset on the hand controller. Step three would be flash the handcontrollers firmware for motors and controller.
Step four would be send it to BinTel for servicing after Christmas.
Would folk have any other suggestions. This mount originally gave me issues ~ 2007, got replaced with a brand new unit under warranty, then was quite reliable for a very long time!
Many thanks all,
Matthew