Celestron 130 EQ-MD

[paulcunny]

Hi all

had this telescope a couple of months now, and love it, but i'm having trouble with the motor drive! it doesn't seem to do anything apart from make noise! is it a waste of time or is there a specific way of using it? i've tried taking it off and putting it back on, secured up the bolts etc!

I can't seem to find a good tutorial on how to use it?

[goose35]

I think its the pp3 battery. They just dont like the cold plus not a lot of amps. I have moded mine to use a 9v mains transformer or a AA battery pack using 7 batteries at 9.2 volts and aim to test next time out. If all is good i will repost on here and give a run down on what i did

[paulcunny]

awesome :-) will be good to know

[goose35]

Ok this is my Celestron CG-3 motordrive modification to allow me the option of using mains DC adaptor or a battery pack to power the motordrive.

Disclaimer thingy :-

I am not an electronics wizard but can do basic stuff so copy this at your own risk

You will need

1 meter of wire (or to suit your requirements)

8 AA battery case

1 each male and female DC connectors

NOTE:- 8 batteries will produce around 12v fully charged. I will reduce the 8 batteries to 7 or 6 by soldering a wire(s) in one or more battery space (until i reach close to 9 violts) as 7 battery holders arnt available

Process

1 remove Md cover

2 Un solder the power clip and remove

3 Solder new power cable (remember to loop it through the holes this will reduce tugging on the joints)

4 solder a female dc connector to the new power cable (i made th cable about 10 inches long)

5 Solder original power clip to the other end (reverse the polarity on this connection)

6 Connect battery clip to battery pack (old pp3 conector) or  connect a 9 volt DC mains adaptor

[goose35]

Must add if you use lithium batteries you will only nee a 6 battery pack.

Im using re chargable which are lower voltage

[Leefrisco]

hiya

im thinking of getting my first telescope and the celestron 130 is what iv been looking at.

apart from the motor drive problem you are having how has the scope been?

how much detail do you get from the moon and stars?

[paulcunny]

Thanks goose, i will look into this :-)

Leefrisco, the moon is amazing! can see some good detail, and with a couple of sold seperatly eye pieces, can see the belts on jupiter!