[g__day (Matthew)]

David,

PEC won't appear I believe unless the mode is set to polar aligned.

Such wrong slews at the beginning point to something well out of order. The only thing that makes any sense to me is thinking Lat and Long is wrong. Now if your Gearing has changed to needing +ve instead of -ve values on the gears have the signs changed anywhere else?

Your set up seems textbook. I would recommend:

1. Checking how it tells you to enter Lat and Longitude settings
2. Do a full reset - on power on hold all four direction buttons down for 5 secs until it beeps and then re-enter all values
3. Post on the Yahoo Group SS2K - get Chris Erickson or Laurie Yates attention - they are the best

Do a test for me later on.

First

When the moon is in a convenient location - say 45 degrees above the Eastern horizon - do a goto and align on it first and note how far off is the set up.

Second

Go to a star say 5-10 degrees away from the Moon - see if it moving in the correct direction by the correct amount.

Using this information let's see if we can diagnose if its something very simple like the initial orientation on start-up is somehow is confused (for whatever reason)!

For instance if goto on the Moon (or any star) elevated to 45 degrees above the East does anything else but raise the mount in RA by 45 degrees gives us something to think about.

* * * * * * *

If the first goto from a 45 degree elevated due East target moves in the wrong direction or wrong amount it will tell us a lot. If the magnitude of the move is correct but the direction is wrong / inverted it tells us the location data is inverted / screwed! If the magnitude of move is wrong then things are worse - it would indicate data on star's position appears wrong / corrupted.

When you set the Mount up to be due East and level - and control everything from Stellarium (it can do this) or the freeware CDC (Cartes Du Ceil) and you issue commands from the PC does it seem to run things correctly? If you say elevate 25 degrees, move East 30 degrees, descend 10 degrees, move West 50 degrees etc - does the mount respond correctly?

If a PC program talking to the SS2K-PC controlling the mount all works fine that is more data we can use.

If all gotos are correct in magnitude but inverted or wrong in a consistent direction - then that is location / set up data to correct. If gotos are random or wild - there is a deeper problem with the SS2K (and I would send it to Chris in Hawaii as he would be your best chance of fixing things).

I know how frustrating this is and feel for you. These things are tanks that are supposed to never fail! That has been my experience once you get the hang of it.

Love to have a beer or two with you if I ever get to Perth!

Do you have a cable to control the SS2K-PC from your PC - will see if I have a spare if you don't.

Matthew

PS

The tests on moves can be done roughly during the day with the mount facing direction. If the mount thinks its aligned and pointing at a subject - anywhere - and you wish it to move say 10 degrees up and 5 degrees West (controlled either by PC or from the hand controller) by selecting the right targets - what does it do? If gotos appear precise (even if inverted) - we just have to work out what the correct start up orientation would have to be and use that.

It could be a simple as you (somehow) have a version that requires the mount to face due West on first start-up (the way folks in the USA must) and all might be well.

PPS

Confirm how you are powering it - a decent power supply is a must. And check the connectors polarity is correct - the SS2K's 12V power input is unusual compared to everything else on the market (cigar lighter with positive centre I recall - need to check that)!

PPPS

Post a picture or two of your rig!

PPPPS

If you align on any star - then use the RA DEC display to point the mount to where it thinks due East and Elevation 0 is - where is it actually pointing?

Did the original owner of this gear report any similar issues? Was the SS2K originally using the V2.10 EPROMS or did he upgrade it? (Just checking he didn't upgrade V2.07 - 2.09 to 2.10 - as that would be mixing MT-3 motors with the MT-4 controller - a big no no!)