#21  
Old 10-09-2021, 02:25 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
I’ve had my Skywatcher 12” Goto dob for 3 years without any alignment issues
A few key points for alignment which may not have been mentioned

1/ Power Supply
As you run off mains like I do , make sure you use at least a 5amp preferably a 7.5 amp 12v power supply ( I use the Powertech 12VDC 7.5amp Power Adaptor model no MP-3575 available from Jaycar or Bintel )

2/ Home Position
Your OTA or truss tubes central axis should be horizontally level and aligned to True North / South , end of OTA facing True North ( as close as possible) Not Magnetic North / South ( I have 2 small drill holes marked in the concrete driveway 1.8m apart to align my OTA or truss tube ( see attached how to find True South using the Sun )
Your base must be level on all sides as well using a bubble level or digital inclinometer
I don’t use the level indicator provided by Skywatcher just above the main pivot as when you set it zero 0, the OTA is not level , it’s usually a few degrees out which can mean alignment will be way out

3/ 2 Star Alignment
Choose 2 alignment stars on the “same side of the meridian” , that are between 35 and 55 degrees in elevation and no further apart than 100 degrees in azimuth
Important !! Disable your Star Alignment Filter in the Syncan to allow a wider choice of alignment stars
Go to Set up > Alignment Stars > Adv Filter > Enter, then choose Off
In Perth at the moment around 8.00pm I would choose Altair and Altair as your alignment stars ( 1st Star Alnair )
1st Alignment Star is always a manual slew with Syncan HC to the first star and centre it in your eye piece then press Enter. Choose 2nd alignment star and press Enter , scope will slew to second star ( within FOV )The accuracy of your Home Position set up and the 1st alignment Star centering determines how close to centre you will be on your 2nd Star


4/ Alignment Accuracy
These Skywatcher Goto dobs only have accuracy up to 5 arc minutes so don’t expect the star or object to be perfectly centered after a successful alignment and Goto . I always have to use the Syncan HC to move the Star or object into the centre of FOV

5/ Alignment Centering Eye Piece
For visual 2 star alignment process with the Syncan, I use the Orion 20mm 70 degree illuminated reticle eye piece for star alignment centering. The Celestron mini centering eye pieces are junk (I sold mine immediately and bought the Orion 20 /70 ) as your squinting into a very small optics )
It’s a brilliant eye piece with wide field , good eye relief and good optics plus a red illuminated reticle which is a must for better alignment accuracy

6/ Like everyone else mentioned , Date MM/ DD/ YY, local Time , Time Zone , Longitude and Latitude are extremely important

Good Luck and hope you get to the bottom of your alignment issues

Cheers
Martin
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (IMG_6771.jpg)
193.2 KB23 views
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Finding True South using Solar Noon Shadow Method.pdf (25.0 KB, 22 views)
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-09-2021, 03:15 PM
AdamJL
Registered User

AdamJL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissE_40 View Post
Adam…I have 32…should it be -32??
Okay so I just plugged in my handset. It's been a year since I used it, and my apologies, it looks as if negative numbers can't be input.

I did some searching though, and I've read some people have had success performing a factory reset. Have you tried that?
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-09-2021, 03:48 PM
mura_gadi's Avatar
mura_gadi (Steve)
SpeakingB4Thinking

mura_gadi is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 829
Hello,

Date format is mmddyy? I think you should be able to set N/S and E/W with the scroll keys after you enter the number.

Steve
To help setup the base, I got three spirit level bubbles and spaced them between the legs. Get the base squared as well as the tube level and pointed north.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-09-2021, 08:17 AM
Allan_L's Avatar
Allan_L (Allan)
Member > 10year club

Allan_L is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Coast NSW
Posts: 3,336
I had a SW 12" GOTO a few years back

Quote:
Originally Posted by MissE_40 View Post
I have just pulled the manual out again and have noticed something I haven’t noticed before. Under ‘initial setup’ step 1 is making sure the mount is level (done)…but step 2 is to point to the brightest star to your naked eye. Then it goes through entering latitude etc into handset and then onto alignment! So from this - I’m guessing perhaps it doesn’t start at north OR south.
Yes, that is odd! and confusing. I don't recall ever doing that. From memory my procedure (like other mentioned) was Level the base.
Point North.
Level the scope.
Turn on.
Enter data from Synscaninit.
Select 2 star align
Push to 1st star
align
select 2nd star
scope slews to vicinity, etc

------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissE_40 View Post
I use synscannit to double check.
Synscaninit is a great app. It gives you all the data needed in the correct format. If using this you should not go wrong. (in my experience)
------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissE_40 View Post
I have disabled the auxillery encoders,
Thanks!
I don't understand what or why you have done this, or what the effect would be.

***********
Unfortunately sounds like you may have a bad unit. It has been reported here previously; albeit only once or twice.
Keep at your retailer for help.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 05:25 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement