Franken neq6

[twintin]

Well the lure of astroboot was too much! I've bought 2 faulty neq6 mount heads with the hope that I can make 1 good one out of 2 damaged ones. So stand by for loads of daft questions as I attempt to make a good un . One has no main board and a cracked puck. The other has been stripped into bits (for some reason?) but has a main board and a puck etc.. So worth a punt for less than £300 for the pair......fingers crossed.

[Tiny Small]

Good luck. Let's hope everything just goes together nice and smooth

[Carina Lass]

Nice deal.

You'll have some spares to sell on SGL then?

[twintin]

Nice deal.

You'll have some spares to sell on SGL then?

allmost certainly

[johnrt]

Well if you can put together a working mount from the 2 broken ones for less than £300 then that is very well played, sir. I see no reason why it can't be done from the faults you describe, ingenious and resourceful

[JohnC64]

good luck with the re-build.  Just wondering what scope did someone put on the NEQ6 head to cause the puck to fracture!!!

John

[twintin]

Yes it doesn't bear thinking about really! I suppose it may have been dropped which may or may not be worse? I shall see when they arrive. Either way i'm confident one can be made from the 2 so fingers crossed it could be a good deal

[Mukv]

Greetings

I'm watching this thread because it's like finding a supernova on your first light with new kit, how many of us reading this wish it was them that have taken a chance? ME for one!

Good luck Twintin I'm right behind you m8!

Andy

[twintin]

Thanks Andy. It is a bit of a gamble as they may both be toast. I'm working on the theory that i could strip for parts and break even at worse case, so definately worth a punt.

[sloz1664]

Good luck on your rebuild Twintin. Don't forget to check out Astrobaby's excellent EQ6 refurb tutorial.

Also while you're at it search in the SGL diy discussion thread for belt drive mod upgrade for the EQ6.

With all the parts you have at you're disposal you could end up with a super tuned mount that will track

exceptionally well.

cheers

Steve

[twintin]

Hi Steve, I've read Astro babys guide but will read it again a couple of times before i start. Belt drive seems a good idea but at the moment i want to do it on the cheap just to prove to myself that you don't have to spend a fortune to get some decent gear. Whilst i'm waiting for the box of "scrap" to arrive i have been pondering how i'm going to convert my pier top plate. Currently a nissan micra brake disc to hold the HEQ5. I have looked at all the lovely ones available but they all seem very costly for what they are. So after doing a bit of tinternet trawling it looks like i can use a rear disc from a 1989 Vauxhall carlton as it has a 65.7mm hub hole and the neq6 is 65mm, So that may be an option? Unless anyone can point me in a better direction? Also i want to make a lead so i can plug in my HEQ5 handset on a temporary basis (i'll use eqmod once it's all installed) Anyone know how i can do this? I seem to recall seeing some sort of wiring diagram but can't remember where or even if i dreamed it?

[LeeB]

My eq6 was on a shoe string, old syle with little use and a 10" skywatcher , total cost on auction site £300 then sold the ota for £200 and the eyepieces for £55 so eq6 cost me £45 then fitted new synscan upgrade and stripped mount total cost of this bit £299 and about 6 hours work, so total outlay £345 for a full synscan eq6 as new (except its black)

[twintin]

My eq6 was on a shoe string, old syle with little use and a 10" skywatcher , total cost on auction site £300 then sold the ota for £200 and the eyepieces for £55 so eq6 cost me £45 then fitted new synscan upgrade and stripped mount total cost of this bit £299 and about 6 hours work, so total outlay £345 for a full synscan eq6 as new (except its black)

So at £269.37 so far that leaves me £75.63 to get it all done to beat that and hopefully all the spare bits should recoup a few quid as well

[Vanilla]

From the pictures, I do believe you've made a great deal. I wonder if there's an exploded view of the whole system.

(I probably should have checked online before posting this)

[Mukv]

Greetings

I have use of aluminium welding equipment here at our workshop if it looks like it's worth a go at welding up that crack let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

Andy

[twintin]

Cheers Andy I'll bear that in mind but hopefully the other one will be ok

[twintin]

I have found a wiring diagram for the eq handset lead but i can't for the life of me find out where to get the 9 pin plug for the other end? I think i'm going snow blind! Anyone know where i can get one?

[Mukv]

Greetings

The plug you need is a 9 pin D sub it's a standard serial connector and they are available from computer shops or here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-pcs-9-pin-way-D-Sub-Chassis-Plug-DB9M-Serial-Solder-/230761689579?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35ba77f1eb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-5x-D-Sub-Hood-Cover-for-9-Pin-or-15-Pin-Plastic-case-socket-/271414836571?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3f3195bd5b

Andy

[twintin]

Doh, just got home to find the standard "you were out" card on the mat! Luckily the depot is open until 6:30 so I'll pop down and pick them up . Might even get a chance to open them tonight. Unfortunately no chance to play until Sunday night as we are away

[twintin]

Well I picked them up, got them home and after a cuppa cracked on. I had a look at both mounts and decided that the one that was in bits being slightly newer was going to be the one to live again. It was missing the dec worm carrier, although all the parts are in bag other than the carrier itself. And the dec spindle had been removed and was in bits. So I have stripped the dec complete from the second mount and fitted it to the first. Altogether it only took a couple of hours. I now have one complete neq6 and a pile of spares. I greased everything as I assembled as there was hardly any grease in the mount and looking at what was there it was spotless so I don't even think the mount has been run! I have powered the board and it lights up. I now just need to make a cable up so I can use my handset and test it. So it looks like it's going to be a very good outcome I'll post a piccy later.

[Carina Lass]

You did well.

I really hope it works forst time!!!

[twintin]

From this: (It was the top one that got rebuilt bottom one was the donor)

To this

[sloz1664]

First thing, get rid of those flimsy dec bolts.

Looks like you've got a great purchase.

Steve

[JohnC64]

Result!!! :-)

[slickfonzy]

Excellent, what a bargain!