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skywatcher single axis motor drive


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OK, so I tested my RA single axis motor drive tonight (skies were poor) I couldn't get it to track at the right speed..

I stared at the slowest and Jupiter drifted really quick, then moved up the speed setting and I just couldn't get it to stay in the field of view :/ does any one have this motor drive and can offer help?

I used a super wide 25mm eyepiece

A super 10mm on its own and with a Barlow.

Polar alignment was pretty good.

The Dec didn't really need adjusting.

Still Jupiter moved out of my field of view very fast.

Also I believe Jupiter was getting very close to the meridian (if that makes a difference?)

I'm lost and confused as to why it wouldn't track :(

Thanks in advance!!!!!

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Forgot to mention that part, it is for an EQ2 mount... I do have that mount, all it has is on/off north/south and a small knob you can twist to make it faster or slower.

At least the skies were poor so I didn't waist any time messing rather than viewing aha

I know it won't be 100% in following targets but got to be better than twisting the slow motion cable by hand.

Thanks for the reply!

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Definitely the right motor?? I have the 130m which is the non parabolic mirror, eq2 mount and single axis motor. My handset does not have a knob to make it faster or slower. Instead it has on/off and north/south along with four buttons for stop, 2x forward and 4x forwards and backwards:

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/user/products/231.jpg

If you are sure it IS the right handset then I guess its a newer version. All I can think is making sure polar alignment is good (or at least close). I am assuming that you are aligning the mount and not just the telescope tube, as this sometimes catches people out. Double check to make sure the north south switch hasn't been flicked accidentally too.

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I dont have direct experiance of the EQ2 mount but from what you say the controls are simple. It should be able to keep reasonable tracking once the speed is adjusted. If it cant track at any setting of the dial I would suspect it's a faulty unit and you shoule contact the shop you got it from.

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I have this one,http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00CYHU7EQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1424820112&sr=8-1π=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=skywatcher+ra&dpPl=1&dpID=317pcY6xmVL&ref=plSrch just a basic drive for RA. I may have forgotten to level the mount thinking about it, did everything else, got the compass out made sure polaris was in view and all that. Could the unlevel tripod have an affect?

I need a check list with my poor memory skills aha

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Hmmm, that is very different from what I have. In fact although it says for EQ2 on the picture, it looks more like the EQ1 motor, which is perhaps why it isn't working as you'd like. For comparison here is the EQ1 motor at FLO:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/ra-economy-motor-drive-for-eq1.html

I'm not sure that levelling the tripod would make such a massive differance, like I said it looks more like someones branded up the wrong item.

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I did notice that they look pretty much the same, just different coloured text. I saw a video on YouTube by astronomy and nature channel I believe it is and they were selling it as an eq2 RA drive :/ I will give it another go once I have clear skies again and see how it goes. If it fails to work I will probably send it back and save up for the motor that comes on the 130m

That ks for all the quick responses though!

I will get it all working one day :)

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Leveling the mount does have an effect but not by a large amount. From what you say it looks as if the motor is driving at the wrong speed. That would be consistant with Twiggles" posting that you actually have the wrong motor. Look at First light Optics web site.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/ra-economy-motor-drive-for-eq1.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-ra-motor-drive-for-eq2.html

Hope that helps.

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There are 2 versions of the simple ra axis motor drive, after searching I found PDF instructions for the eq1 and eq2 and have seen a post on the net about attaching the eq2 drive. And he said it wasnt fun getting the speed setting right so must just be something I will have to mess with till I get it right. All the instructions are from skywatcher and say it is the eq2 drive. I know it won't track 100% but I will try again next clear night and see how I get on.

Think I jumped in at the deep end with this hobbie aha (as I always do)

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Just a heads up to all the kind people who offered help and advice! I had a lovely clear night tonighy... So I put on the motor spent a little bit more time getting the polar alignment done then focused on the moon with a 7mm eyepiece and after 20 mins of messing with the speed I got the scope to track perfectly! Got some nice pictures of the moon! Happy is an understatement :D

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