HEQ5 Misbehaving (Is there one that doesn't)?

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #1 11-12-2009, 09:22 PM

This is my first 'go-to' mount, though not my first GEM.
HEQ5, about 2 years old. A new(?) handset with UTD firmware. Polar alignment w/in tolerance for visual, balance spot-on. Clutches - check - swings freely in manual and are tight for go-to.
Load well beneath rated capacity (5.3Kg / 17Kg)

I turn on the mount (mains power with 12v 1.25 amp adapter), and get the "don't look at the sun" spiel. Over and over and over. Pushing "esc" doesn't work, nor do either "align' or 'set-up'. Some random combination of the 3 seems to work, but each start-up is different.
Eventually I can get it to set-up by using the 'utility' menu.
Of greater concern is the fact that the direction arrows (L,R,U,D) don't work at all, regardless of what 'mode' I'm in.
I've read the manual 5 times, I've checked the firmware and hit 'factory re-set'. I've trawled various net groups and not found anyone with the same problems.

At the risk of tempting fate:
Once set-up, it "go-to's" fine. It tracks fine. It knows its catalogues. It knows where it is and what time it is. This is a 'pre-owned. mount, but I have no reason to suspect the vendour of any fault.
Is this some electrical gremlin that's gonna cost me $700 to fix, or am I just missing something?
I have to make dinner now, but any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Peter

marki · #2 11-12-2009, 10:12 PM

Peter it should not do that... First thing to try would be changing the cable between the controller and mount as these can often be rubbish. Check the pins on both the mount and controller to make sure everything is straight and making good contact. If that does not work try reloading/updating the software in the hand controller as the original may be corrupted. Failing that looks like it would need a new controller I would think but you should see if you can borrow one from someone first just to make sure.

Mark

ejcruz (Eddie) · #3 11-12-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

I turn on the mount (mains power with 12v 1.25 amp adapter), and get the "don't look at the sun" spiel. Over and over and over. Pushing "esc" doesn't work, nor do either "align' or 'set-up'. Some random combination of the 3 seems to work, but each start-up is different.

With my HEQ5 Pro you need to press the "Enter" button to move onto the next option which will be your location setting, but as Mark has pointed out it sounds like cable issues, would also recommend upgrading to the latest firmware which is v3.25, you can download it from:
http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/s...t.php?class1=1

Cheers
Eddie

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #4 11-12-2009, 11:47 PM

Thanks, I'll check those and see if that fixes it. The odd thing is you can here a soft whining sound coming from the mount as tho' the motors are running but not engaging. Are the clutches electric or mechanical or even electro-mechanical?

koputai (Jason) · #5 12-12-2009, 06:46 AM

Peter,
I recently bought an EQ6 (but haven't used it yet due to weather and time) and it whirrs as soon as it's turned on, even thought there is no movement happening. I can tighten the clutches and it just sits there whirring away but not moving. It does move if I use the ^V<> buttons, so I guess it must just be the stepper controller frequency that can be heard, not the motors themselves.

Cheers,
Jason.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 12-12-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

The odd thing is you can here a soft whining sound coming from the mount as tho' the motors are running but not engaging. Are the clutches electric or mechanical or even electro-mechanical?

Would the motor (RA) be not be idling along to provide sidereal tracking by default - making a slight noise as it does so? I've never had an HEQ-anything, so I don't know if you have to start sidereal tracking yourself or whether it just enters that mode by default.

alfi (Alf david) · #7 12-12-2009, 07:54 AM

hi
have you tried to set up the speed off slewing?
push 2, i think, then 9, and then try to slew.
when the slewspeed is at default, it moves so slow that it is barely visible.

alfi

marki · #8 12-12-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waxing_Gibbous

The odd thing is you can here a soft whining sound coming from the mount as tho' the motors are running but not engaging. Are the clutches electric or mechanical or even electro-mechanical?

The motors run at sidereal rate as soon as you turn on the power which is what the noise is. The only clutches on the mount are controlled by the two black levers on the DEC and RA axes. These are simple threaded screws with a brass cap at the end. The motors, transfer wheels, worm and worm wheel are locked and all turn with the motor. The worm wheel can rotate freely inside the mount casing until the clutches are locked. The whole lot then rotates.

Mark

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 12-12-2009, 12:14 PM

They're a HEQ of a lot of trouble.

Still working on getting mine up and running well enough to image.

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #10 12-12-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfi

hi
have you tried to set up the speed off slewing?
push 2, i think, then 9, and then try to slew.
when the slewspeed is at default, it moves so slow that it is barely visible.

alfi

Hadn't thought of that. I,ll give it a go. Checked the cable and that appears to be in good nick. SON OF A......Why didn't I think of that.
<^>V now working!

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #11 12-12-2009, 12:22 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. Dispite the fact that it was "operator error"

All your replies have been very useful, as there will no doubt come a day when its not. The "Book of Words", could be a bit more forthcoming about some of these aspects!
Again, much thanks.
PJH

alfi (Alf david) · #12 13-12-2009, 01:50 AM

hi
nice to be able to help, i had the same problem myself at first try.

alfi

pjphilli (Peter) · #13 15-12-2009, 10:50 AM

Hi Peter
A few of us had lots of troubles with the HEQ5 Pro (is this what you have?) at the beginning and a previous long thread covered these problems. The upshot of these were:
1. Throw away the silly short curled cable if it is fitted with one and replace with a RJ45 to RJ45 Cat 5e Patch Lead. These are obtainable from Jaycar Electronics for about $6 for the 2 metre one which I have and it works fine. (Jaycar catalogue number YN-8212.) Note: If you wish to retain the black ceramic interference trap (which I didn't) simply unclip it from the original cable and clip it on the Cat 5e patch lead.
2. Follow the instructions in the handbook and download new paddle firmware from the net. I was a bit aprehensive about doing this but all went fine and it fixed my HEQ5 Pro problems.
After these fixes the mount has not missed a beat after about six months use.
Cheers Peter

Waxing_Gibbous (Peter) · #14 15-12-2009, 11:08 AM

Thanks Pete.
Already done s'ware update. Problem was actually "Operator Idiocy". I didn't change the slew speed from its '2' default. Honestly I didn't think anything could move so slowly(except maybe my sister answering a job advert!).
I've heard of the cable swap, but as it's (fingers crossed, touch wood, praise God) actually working, for now, I'll leave it be.
Thanks anyway for your help. Much appreciated.
Peter

allan gould · #15 15-12-2009, 12:07 PM

Never had any problems with my HEQ5 Pro mount. Its a very under rated beast. It took the large loads that I placed on it and guided like a dream.

AlexN · #16 15-12-2009, 05:18 PM

I currently have Allan's HEQ5, and I attest to its performance... I've never lost a single sub to any sort of mount error.... I run 20 minute subs every time I image, never lose a single one...

Perhaps the most under rated commonly available piece of equipment around..

My thoughts on your problem... 12v 1.25A power controller...

I have mine connected to a 12v 10A power supply, and I believe these mounts require around 4A to operate properly... That is the first thing I'd check...