EQ4/EQ5 hand controller mod instructions

[luka]

Hi,

Before I started buying astro gear I was reading a lot and I came across an article which described how to modify the EQ4/EQ5 handheld controller (non GOTO) to be able to control the mount via computer (parallel port I think).

Now when I have the gear I cannot find the article any more. I don't even remember how the modification was called, hence my problems in finding it.

Does anyone knows the name of the mod or has the website with the instructions.

Thanks in advance,
Luka

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Is this what you are referring to?
http://www.store.shoestringastronomy...roducts_gp.htm

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

I just have to be sure, you do have the motors installed yes.? if so, is there a second RJ45/12 (network plug) on the base of your hand paddle? if so this is where you plug in the connection and select PC Direct mode.

[luka]

Thanks for the replies. This forum is always full of people willing to help, this is amazing .


I do have motors installed but there is no RJ42/12 plug on the hand controller. There are only two RJ12 cables which connect directly to the steppermotors (and a power connector).

I had a look at the shoestring astronomy website but they seem to have products for controllers which have the additional control port, which my controller unfortunately is missing.

From memory, the modification I saw before involved soldering to the 4 directional buttons on the controller (which would emulate key presses) and connecting this to the computer (parallel port???). Not the best way but hopefully enough to get me started with guiding.

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

The shoestring site has the instructions on how to add a guide port to a controller that doesn't have one. It involves soldering wires onto the hand controller board - the other end of the wires has a RJ12 plug on it. You then need a GPUSB to connect the RJ12 to the computer via a USB port. Here's the link

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf

[luka]

That's it. The name shoestring also rang the bell but somehow I missed that article while looking today.

Thanks a lot

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

I tried it with my EQ6 - seemed to work ok but I ended up upgrading to the goto version so don't use it any more.