EQ-5 Synscan Trouble

[scottphillips]

Ran into some trouble with my Motors on the telescope mount,

I have an EQ-5 Synscan and once I complete the alignment process on the synscan mount the scope starts to slew but the motors make a kind of click noise and stop completely on both axis.

I've also tried slewing the scope manually and that's not possible either,

I've tried switching the synscan on and off etc and once turned back on I can slew the scope manually but only for a few seconds then that crunch/clicking noise and the slewing stops completely

I'm unsure what the problem is as the mount is perfectly balanced with the counter weights and I've had the scope for 4 months and it has worked fine until now.

Any suggestions how this can be fixed please ?

Thank You

[Owmuchonomy]

Is it just a 'clicking' noise or does it sound more akin to a coffee grinder?

[spaceman_spiff]

Hi there,

Some things that could be responsible, however some suggestions do not explain why you did not see a problem during star alignment (I will mark them with a *).

1. overloaded mount *

2. unbalanced scope (maybe the scope overloads the mount in a particular orientation)

3. faulty gears? (not true to each other, pushed too close together, lots of friction somewhere) *

4. software problem (check the firmware version of the synscan handset)

5. power problem (wrong voltage or current is limited by the supply)*

Of all these problems I have had 1), 2), 3) and 5). 

What scope do you have?

I'm just throwing ideas out here, there could be something I missed of course.

[ronin]

I would suspect that something has worked loose.

Sure there has been mention of "clicking" from the mount previously and it is not "normal".

Is it easy to have a look and poke around ?

I would check that the gears are securely located on the drive shafts and mesh together alright.

I think there is a small grub screw in there somewhere - may be loose or it may have unwound itself and launched itself into a voyage around the inner working of the mount.

Was the synscan fitted when purchased, or was it an after market addition?

Ask this as there is/was one mount where it was possible to fit the gears upside down, and a few did.

[scottphillips]

I have a Skymax 127 EQ-5 and it is second hand but came with the gears already fixed to the scope

How do I check which firmware my handset is ?

I have used the same power pack since I had the scope and there hasn't been a problem.

I triple checked the balance of the scope and it was fine and have marks on the dovetail so that I get it close to spot on every time

Quite annoying as it does slew now and again for a few seconds then makes a short crunching sound and stops completely

[spaceman_spiff]

I have a Skymax 127 EQ-5 and it is second hand but came with the gears already fixed to the scope

How do I check which firmware my handset is ?

I have used the same power pack since I had the scope and there hasn't been a problem.

I triple checked the balance of the scope and it was fine and have marks on the dovetail so that I get it close to spot on every time

Quite annoying as it does slew now and again for a few seconds then makes a short crunching sound and stops completely

Hi,

Ronin makes a good point, something may well be blocking the gears such as a loose nut, although I'm not sure why would this affect both axes? My points about the mount being over loaded definitely don't apply if you are using a Skymax 127 (great planetary/lunar scope btw). The scope is comparatively small and should not stress the mount even if not balanced 100% perfectly. 

The firmware version is displayed as soon as you turn on the handset For reference, my version is 03.35 and it works fine. It can't hurt to upgrade even if that doesn't fix the problem.

The crunching sound really points to some mechanical problem. I think you should slowly disassemble the motors from the mount one axis at a time. Look at how the gears are meshing and if there are damaged teeth or obstructions. Also maybe lubricating the gears is an idea (although I doubt that would solve the problem on its own).

Hope that helps!

If you see anything let us know and include pics (everyone likes pics!). 

[BargeGazer]

I know you said the power supply has not been changed but cables and especially connectors to play up.

It could be your Power supply dropping voltage after a few seconds of running.  Check voltage as close to the mount as possible while it is working and when it goes crunch and stops. 

If seeing drop in voltage check power supply is charged and all connectors are clean and well fitted.

Good luck

David

[spaceman_spiff]

Did you manage to fix it?

It would be interesting to see if the problem was mechanical or power related...or something else!