mod to EQ hand control for autoguiding

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Does anyone have any experience with the shoestring astronomy EQ mod to add an autoguider port to the normal 2 axis hand controller? It looks very easy to do and cheap (<$10).

[Eternal]

Yep. Done it myself and it works like a charm. Nearly every guiding program (Guidedog, Guidemaster, PHD Guide) supports it. The only issue I had was that I plugged everything in before starting the guiding software and as such the mount starting moving on its own accord.

I spent ages trying to work out whether I did anything wrong, such as soldering, only to find out that the problem was caused by the LPT port being set to a random value upon start up. This random value is cleared when you start the guiding program.


Cheers,

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I've been looking for something like this!! Thanks! I can't wait to read the pdf. Just what I needed ......another eq style mount to autoguide

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Wow, I just looked through it and I think even I (with my 10 thumbs when it comes to electronics) could do that. Thanks heaps Peter.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Paul,

I have now done this mod - works fine with PHD but I would like to make K3CCD work hence the other posts. Have you tried it - you can get the parts locally.

Peter

[luka]

I just saw this thread. Where can I find instructions for it?
Thanks

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Right here luka.

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy...roducts_gp.htm

This is the one you want http://www.store.shoestringastronomy...s/gpkit_eq.jpg it is down near the bottom of the page.

This lists the products and if you check around the site you will find a manual on how to do it.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Does that mean that I could add Autoguiding to a basic EQ5 'duel drives' mount?

Also, here's the link to how to make one: http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

If the controller looks the same Ken it can be used. I know the old EQ6 dual axis drive mounts had the same controller. Its just sending pulse commands to the handpad to move the mount in the proper way. Just like handguiding with the handpad, only automatically.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I don't know how accurate it would be for deep stuff, but it would be the bees knees for widefield on a lowly EQ3 or 4

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Paul,

My understanding is that you end up with the same outcome as an autoguider port. Why would the accuracy be a problem?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I don't think the quality of the stepper motors nor the gearing on a standard EQ3 or 4 (and possibly even the eq5)would be precise enough for deep imaging. I feel it would be more a mechanical issue rather than an electronic issue. Of the EQ3, 4 and 5 I've had I'm yet to see one of them that I would be confident with using anything longer in FL than say 400 - 500 mm to image through.

Applying this mod to an HEQ5 or EQ6 would be a different story though.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Very interesting and clever mod. I'd agree with Paul that an entry level, motorised - EQ3 / 4 / 5 would be excellent target for this type of mod.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Hmmmm . . . might be worth doing to the clubs new EQ5 with duel drives.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

This also works with different hand controllers - the EQ6 controller I have is different internally to that shown in the Shoestring instructions but the board on which the pushbuttons are mounted is identical.

[Aster]

As my knowledge of electronics is just about zilch I would like some more information.

Am I correct in assuming that if the hand controller of a EQ6 mount is rewired as per shoestrings instructions using an RJ12 cable, like red to RA+ ect. that all I then need is a program like Guide Dog, plug the hand controller in the EQ6, the modified cable into my lap top and I can autoguide ?

Could it really be that easy

Alexander

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

This mod adds an autoguider port to a mount that doesn't have one. The wiring is very simple but you need to ensure the RJ12 plug is wired correctly. To connect the mount to the computer I am using the Shoestring GPUSB adaptor. I believe there are other options. There are many autoguiding software options. PHD is one freeware option and very easy to configure.

[mill (Martin)]

Have a look at this site.
I have done it like that and can just use a straight thru lan cable.
http://www.eronn.net/astro/autoguider/default.htm

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Looks like the chip you've glued in the hand controller is doing a similar job to the optocoupler in the GPUSB. Shoestring also has a parallel port version however I wanted the USB convenience.

[Aster]

Thanks Peter and Mill. Have reread all the pdf files from shoestring regarding auto tracking and it finally has sunk in. The grey matter is not what it used to be, well, that's my thought anyway