PHD? malfunction

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Last night I was all set up as I have been the past few weeks without a hitch. I started calibrating on a star and after this it started to guide, seconds later there was the noise of the motors engaged at higher speed and the stars and scope just started slewing west for no reason (after calibration had finished and was guiding)
I tried again x 3 with similar results-each time it would calibrate, start guiding then slew the guide star off in one direction crazily.
I am using an SSAG -i unplugged all the connections. Reloaded PHD , restarted scope- with same result.
Last week this EXACT same set up was faultless and it hadn't ben touched since last session. Only thing I can think of is that it ha been very, very humid down here for a number of days.
Any help appreciated as I was just getting some good results with this set up
Graham

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

...
Last week this EXACT same set up was faultless and it hadn't ben touched since last session. Only thing I can think of is that it ha been very, very humid down here for a number of days.
Any help appreciated as I was just getting some good results with this set up

Graham I don't know if EQ6s are subject to the same problems as G11+Gemini, but if the hand control on my Gemini gets too much dew on it, it loses control. Try drying the handpiece during the day and seal it in a plastic bag with a rubber band around the cables at night.

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Interesting -and I did have some issues with my EQ 6 and moisture a while back. But these last few sessions I have been using a CGEM mount with SSAG plugged directly into the mount & laptop. I don't know whether the guide pulses are sent via the hand box that way.
It seems that once it is calibrated, it then gets stuck on one direction and at a speed much faster than normal guiding (handbox speed guide set at 0.5 sideral)
Will try and dry it out in side anyway and see if it helps.
Cheers
Graham

[Poita (Peter)]

I keep a bag of dessicant replaced behind the circuit board in my EQ6, and I haven't had those problems since.

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by graham.hobart

Interesting -and I did have some issues with my EQ 6 and moisture a while back. But these last few sessions I have been using a CGEM mount with SSAG plugged directly into the mount & laptop. I don't know whether the guide pulses are sent via the hand box that way.
It seems that once it is calibrated, it then gets stuck on one direction and at a speed much faster than normal guiding (handbox speed guide set at 0.5 sideral)
Will try and dry it out in side anyway and see if it helps.
Cheers
Graham

I don't know what the problem is but if you plug the guider directly into the mount, the hand controller has no action on the guiding. Check the usb cable is making good contact with the guider and can't move. This caused problems with my guider in the past. I hold the cables with an elastic band around the guider to stop any traction on the cable.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

If all else fails sacrifice a chicken.! its the IT guru's sure fire way to fix any problem!

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

Thanks Brendan- going to friends house on Sat who have chooks, may well find one missing and presumed Ozzy Osbourne-ified!!

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

No problems mate glad to be of usefull assistance!

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

I think it's the damp as it did it again directly after another wet day, but after being inside for a few days it was fine.
Bloody weather...