EQ5 kit groans

[LewisM]

Fitted a used EQ5 GOTO Synscan kit to my Vixen GPD2. Dec is GREAT, RA is a problem.

No matter how I adjust the gear play, the RA motor GROANS loudly - like stripping gears - before it starts to slew. It stops BEAUTIFULLY, with no over-travel. Touching the RA slew buttons again ellicits groans and crunches.

To top that off, when slewing with the buttons, it slews and stops. Try reversing it AFTER stopping using the other RA key, and it keeps slewing the same direction! I noticed if you put a little weight on the motors as they turned, they reversed direction! I am not even sure it's tracking sidereally - I put markers on both RA gears, and so far, after an hour, no movement. CHEESE and WHISKERS! It ticks like a homemade bomb about to go off

Any fix for this? Or buy a new RA motor from Tasco? BLOODY frustrating - probably go back to starbook at this rate

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

The motors I assume are similar to my HEQ5 motors?
What power supply are you using? You need at least a 12V 2A solid supply.
What slewing rate have you selected from the Synscan?
RA balancing?

[LewisM]

Ken,

Power I have tried is my powertank battery (that drove the NEW6 faultlessly) and a DC power supply that is of good quality.

Doesn't matter which slew speed, it does it regardless.

Balanced both axes.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I had a fiddle with a vixen mount once - there were push-pull adjustment bolts on the gear mesh for both axes. Wonder if yours is done up far too tight on the RA??

DT

[LewisM]

David,

No, mine is smoother than butter by hand. Nil issues with the Vixen worms etc. Fitting a Vixen Starbook S motor system to it has No problems whatsoever.

[LewisM]

OK, removed the gear head from the RA drive, meaning no gear interactions whatsoever. Ran the motor, and it does it WITHOUT any load whatsoever, so it is a motor issue.

With no gear interaction at all, the motor TRIES to spin, but moans and groans before FINALLY moving. It judders and shakes. That's with any power source.

Thinking I need a new RA drive assembly from Tasco...

[LewisM]

Problem potentially solved - wiring issue after conversion to fit the Vixen cover - seems the RA was running on one phase only.

Found this out by checking the wires, and noting the current was shunting on and off to the DEC motor when I fiddled - when it shunted, I noted the DEC motor making the same groans and noises.

So, to resolder. I am a shocking solderer, but it has to be done. May have to investigate making more room for the wire loom too.

[LewisM]

OK, 7 broken wires in the control interface looms. Resoldered them all (BADLY), but now everything works as it should.

Will be contacting Synta direct for replacements, as I doubt my globby solder will hold up.