Connecting a HEQ5Pro Mount over Distance

[Eris (Gerard)]

Hi everyone

I’ve been running a HEQ5 Pro mount for several years now but I’m finding that age and mobility have caught up with me.

My question is can I run connecting cables from my scope set up on the lawn directly to my computer in the Study (distance approximately 10 metres).
I presume that I would only need hand controller and monitor connection cables.
Can you recommend a business that can sell what is required.

I would appreciate any advice from experienced users that would help me get back on deck again.
Thanks in advance

[Leo.G (Leo)]

The controller is a standard ethernet cable. You could try an ethernet cable long enough.
Whether it would work over the distance is a matter for those who have tried to answer but logically speaking it shouldn't be an issue.
Monitor cable would be dependant on the cameras output (assuming you have a camera to do the remote viewing through). A raspberry Pi or something connected to the camera and streaming the signal via wifi may be the simple answer for monitor cable.


https://www.astroberry.io/


I haven't tested this method but have heard of it. This is a free program, there's paid for systems like StellarMate.
I have a Raspberry Pi 4 so I would go that way but others here sing the praises of the ASI-Air by ZWO, they are expensive, I wouldn't spend that level of money for the same level (or less) of equipment I already have here. Others say Windows mini PC. The much higher priced NUC get mentioned, I have no experience with them and wouldn't spend that amount of money on such a tiny box (I don't have that sort of money to spend).
I'm sure there will be a lot of ZWO fans who love the things and I've also seen mention of members who like the NUC systems.

A little to think about and I'm sure more members will chime in with experiences.
The hand controller cable however is the easy and cheap part.


I can personally check whether a 10 metre Ethernet cable will work with my hand controller, I just need 10 minutes to find the cable and hook it up.
I'll be back (not said with an Austrian accent).

EDIT: A standard Ethernet cable is fine, the hand controller cable is standard Ethernet, I recommend purchasing a decent branded item and personally, I buy a lot of server related gear and cables through FS.com, their cables are cheap and good quality (but don't buy their cheaper 8 port switch).

[Startrek (Martin)]

You can ditch the handcontroller and run a 10m USB2 cable to the study and control the mount through EQMOD and Stellarium on your computer
All free ( except for 10m USB2 cable )
If your interested I can provide procedures
If your HEQ5 doesn’t have a USB2 port ( from memory mine didn’t) and only a handcontroller RJ45 port I have procedures for that too ( Shoestring EQ Direct cable and male to female USB2 cable to achieve 10m length)
Been running my HEQ5 , 2 x EQ6-R’s and EQ8-R mounts like this for years and years
The above remote mount control only works under Windows 7 to 11 ( not Apple Mac )

Cheers
Martin

PS I’ve gone one step further in recent years and use Windows Remote Desktop to control my mounts 20m and 30m away due to having an Obs

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi Gerard - is this a permanent setup you're proposing or do you move the mount indoors after a session?


I have a permanent set up in my garden in Hahndorf (just round the corner from you!). I connect to the mount (EQ6 now but until recently HEQ5) using 2 'Powerline' adapters (similar to pic), one at scope, other in house connected to WIFI modem - eliminated the need for a long, buried ethernet cable run and allows me to connect to scope/camera etc via ASIAIR Plus wirelessly throughout the house.


If not a permanent setup obviously the cable would do the same job.


All the best
Doug

[Eris (Gerard)]

Hi Leo, Martin and Doug, Thanks for your replies re connections to the HEQ5 Pro mount. It is much appreciated. Sorry I did not mention the cameras I was using. They are a ZWO174MM and a ZWO533MM. The lion’s share of my imaging these days is Solar although that could change with this modified setup. If I may I would like to send you a PM at a later time to clarify some points to assist in the changeover. I don’t have EQMOD or Stellarium installed on the Study computer but that’s no problem to fix.
Thanks again for your input.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Gerard I have no experience doing remote astronomy just helping with information I could find and have looked up in the past. Other than the definite mention of network cable working fine which I checked with my mount and controller after reading your post it was just on stuff I'd looked up prior. The other gentlemen all have experience with the set-ups.
Feel free to PM if I can be of any assistance.


Leo

[Eris (Gerard)]

Thanks Leo. I will go and get up to speed and try to access cables after I finish with my medical commitments.

Re the programs mentioned I have Cartes de Ciel and wonder if it can be used in place of Stellarium.

Re sourcing cables, would Bintel be a good place to start searching for Hand Controller cables of an appropriate length?

Thanks for all of your assistance.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Hi Gerard,
Just checking who your addressing in the last reply as all 3 of us offered different solutions ?
My solution was using an EQ Direct cable from mount to laptop and run EQMOD and Stellarium which replaces the handcontroller for your laptop or PC to control the mount

Just checking, hope I’m not rude ?

Happy to bow out if you are referring to Leo or Doug’s suggestion or happy to provide further info and details on my solution.

Just to let you know I exclusively use Stellarium and not Cartes du Ceil so can’t help you if you want to continue to use Cartes du Ceil

Cheers
Martin

[Leo.G (Leo)]

If it's simply a hand controller extension cable as mentioned, it's a straight up Ethernet cable which can be had from any computer shop relatively cheap. My son runs a lot of server gear and we go for the higher quality cables from a supplier which beat most shop prices and quality. Even Bunnings sells network (Ethernet) extension cables. recent bought a few from them very cheap on clearance, we didn't need them but they are always handy (and I was wiring up a 4 or 8 camera (can't remember, it must have been the 3 or 4 days in the hot ceiling) wired security system for a friend. Though I keep 305 metre roll here for long runs, I just hate putting the RJ45 plugs on.



My method for hand controller only requires a standard 10 metre (or appropriate length). The hand controller plugs straight in Ethernet cable, standard pin outs, that's what my son and I ran out and checked. If going that route I wouldn't buy from Bintel and as mentioned FS.com do amazing quality and priced Ethernet cables.
It does seem like the method Martin suggested may be a better way to go and he also mentioned he could help with sourcing necessary equipment.
Plus Martin has experience doing it, I've only invested time looking up stuff in the past that may work for me with not a clue as to how to go about it and was offering advice on what I'd already found. No doubt there would be better methods others are using. As mentioned by others ASIAIR is great though it is only a Raspberry pi (Maybe not, apparently they are going away from the Raspberry Pi, I haven't looked for some time) in a fancy case with power outlets, I can do all of that with my Pi 4 I already own and in my case it would be what I can do with minimal outlay using what I already have at hand being on a disability pension

Still, anyone reading this needing Ethernet or fibre cables/transceivers, I highly recommend FS.com. I have no affiliation but have purchased multiple items off them for networking. There equipment (other than the 8 port switch which has been a constant PITA and sits unused) most of their stuff is well priced and higher quality than you're going to get at Harvey Norman or any of the other major retailers, much better prices too.


https://www.fs.com/au/c/copper-patch-cords-960?65=63571


Question for Martin:
Do you use an active cable to get 10 metre runs with USB?
I know it has a recommended less than 5 metre cable length maximum.


I'll have to play with my shoestring cables I have here, I haven't even looked at them (got them used from a guy I purchased a pier from some time back, a pier still sitting in my yard waiting to be set up).

[Startrek (Martin)]

In regards to the Skywatcher version 4 EQ handcontrollers ….
I bought longer curly cords ( 5m ) for my handcontrollers years ago from a company in Brisbane as the existing ones Skywatcher are only 1.2 or 1.8m from memory and it was a pain when you had to walk around the mount and polar align using the eye piece the old way. Theres no special pin outs either end , they’re just RJ45 to RJ45
The HC worked with 5m cords but no so sure about 10m + cords or cables ???

Now in regard to USB cable lengths

I’ve use a 1.8m EQ Direct cable from Doug at Shoestring and extent it to my laptop outside with a 10m USB2 Extension cable and it works fine for mount control ( total length 11.8m )

https://www.mwave.com.au/product/sta...ble-mf-ab69055

Active extension cables both USB2 and USB3 aren’t cheap but they work , I also use them for my cameras 2600MM and 2600MC at USB3 ( around $200 each ) but they work and have worked for years
Standard USB3 cables are only good up to 1.5m
Standard USB2 can work up to 10m but depends how much traffic is on the line , bandwidths etc…

I use Startech brand USB2 and USB3 Active Extension cables

Hope that answers the questions

Cheers
Martin

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Thanks Martin!
Yes, the hand controller works with a standard 10 metre Ethernet cable, I checked that before submitting my lack of knowledge on how to do this.

[Eris (Gerard)]

Hi again Leo, Martin and Doug.
Firstly, apologies to you Martin if I sounded exclusive. I was merely responding to Leo’s post at the time.
I am taking on board all suggestions seriously but medical issues are prioritizing concentrating on where I’m going. Hopefully things Astronomical will be settled by the end of February.
Thankyou to you all for this discussion and input. It is much appreciated.