The CGE mount lives again..

[asimov (John)]

Some of you might remember, some time ago I had a 'spot of bother' with this mount - The chip on the MC board decided to burn out on me. This chip just happens to regulate the variable slew rates on the DEC axis (rates 1-9) courtesy of the handcontroller.

Problem 1 -Slewing still works, however because the chip has gone kaput, it only slews at rate 9 (maximum). I'm guessing it's pretty obvious the massive pain in the rear trying to center an object in the EP or camera at max. rate....I'm a planet imager; a no brainer to work out it's a huge non event in good seeing at an FL of close on 9M
Problem 2 - I can't get a replacement board from Celestron direct 'cause I don't live in the US, plus they want me to ship the mount to them. Hell will freeze over before I ship this thing back, it's out of warrantee long ago! I can get a board from the local distributor for the low low quoted price of 500 clams - Considering I know the board's worth about 100USD hell will freeze over twice before I'll do that either. Do I look stupid, or what??

Anyway here's my fix, made of available crap laying around in the shed.

Considering I only have to recenter a planet on occasion in DEC with a good polar alignment, I'll be doing that manually with a slow/mo cable.

I've stripped the gearbox on the motor & pulled out some idler gears. The gearbox is only used now as an extra bearing supporter: You can press the DEC slew button to your hearts content, you'll get nowhere

I pulled the gear off the motor/gearbox unit, but left the gear on the worm, giving me a nice ratio for hand centering. It's belt driven by a bit of bicycle tube; it's just the right size. Not too tight, putting excess side thrust on any bearings.

I'm in process of making a 16" skeleton frame planet imaging newt to wack on this mount. I don't reckon the EQ6 I'm using under the C11 would quite cut the mustard in this department

Enclosed is a pic of the 'tube drive' And the gears the mount 'lost' in the process..

[snowyskiesau]

I suppose that the chip is something proprietary and not available from other sources?

[asimov (John)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

I suppose that the chip is something proprietary and not available from other sources?

The chip itself is easily obtainable, however you need special equipment to reprogram the board - Or so I've been told.

My best bet would be to have an American friend purchase, & send the whole board. Until that time (and it will happen) at least the mount is now useable for my purposes & not collecting dust in the shed.

[snowyskiesau]

Even though you've obviously worked around the problem, have you thought of getting a new board via someone in the US? It's listed in the Celestron spare parts store for $208 - item NXW411

I've used the services of a US based re-shipper for items the supplier will not ship out of the US. Reliable and pretty cheap. I think the last item I got through him cost me a $5 fee on top of the postage fee to Australia.
If you're interested I can give you his contact details.

[Lester]

Super tweeker in his element, good to see things are looking up for you Asimov. The 16" Newt sounds like a top project.

All the best.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Nice job 'McGyver', that's what we need to see, more resourcefulness.

[solissydney (Ken)]

I notice the gears that you have pulled out.
Two of the gears are double gears.Small at the top.
If the small part of the gears happen to be 4.5 mm dia. with 12 teeth I would like to buy them.
Ken

[asimov (John)]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Even though you've obviously worked around the problem, have you thought of getting a new board via someone in the US? It's listed in the Celestron spare parts store for $208 - item NXW411

I've used the services of a US based re-shipper for items the supplier will not ship out of the US. Reliable and pretty cheap. I think the last item I got through him cost me a $5 fee on top of the postage fee to Australia.
If you're interested I can give you his contact details.

Thanks mate. Yes, I used to live in the states but my contacts there are hiding at present, I will get a board from there myself eventually.

Originally Posted by solissydney

I notice the gears that you have pulled out.
Two of the gears are double gears.Small at the top.
If the small part of the gears happen to be 4.5 mm dia. with 12 teeth I would like to buy them.
Ken

Sorry, but they are not forsale.