skippyinspace
-
Posts
118 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by skippyinspace
-
-
Thanks for that, The ioptron power supply is currently on the way back to me with the faullty mount, So will check then, Still I could just spend £20 and get a 240V mains plug with ciggerette socket and know its right and keep the ioptorn power supply as a back up. Or sell it with the faulty ioptron mount when I get that back.
-
Have recieved my new Skywatcher EQ5 moterised mount and it comes with a ciggeteete style power supply, Yet my ioptron power supply plugs straight into the 240V mains . Before I spend money on a Ciggetette to 240v adapter for the skywatcher would the ioptron power supply be suitable. Dont want to damage things with it bieng the wrong polarity or sending 240v direct to the scope
Thanks
-
Agree about keeping one Tripod and potentialy one mount But that still leave me with 2!
-
What does everyone do with thier tripods after converting to a pier.
I have a tripod for a C8N, a tripod for an Ioptron Gem 5 , never used and today got a skywatcher Heq5 with tripod replace the ioptron mount that has had a board failure.
Thoughts
-
23 minutes ago, Mike Q said:
I will second the setting circle and angle gauge. I use either Sky Safari, Stellarium or Sky View and have no issues findinf what i am looking for.
I probbably should rea up on the setting circle and angle.
Thanls for the advice
-
4 hours ago, Philip R said:
What phone have you got?
I have a Google Pixel 3a and I have installed the free version of SkEye. Apparently, you can use the app in ‘indirect’ mode… i.e. use it when laying on its back horizontally instead of being held vertically.
I have an Android, an old Samsung Note 9
-
Ok I have an old Celestron C8N and original mount, I had updated the mount to a goto but the goto has died so am thinking of going back to the manual mount, while I save for a new goto mount.
So my question is if polar aligned how wasy is it to use a phone app or simialar mounted to the scope to manually find your way around the sky .
Also what would people suggest for a phone app
Scope is on a pier if that helps
Thanks in advance
-
I sent Celestron a email as the unit is close to 20 years old if not more. There response was helpful and gives me a new starting point. Thoughts on a replacement?
Thank you for contacting Celestron Technical Support.
If you have the original C8N Newtonian telescope that came with a CG5 mount, there is no "upgrade" kit for it.
In order to attain computer-controlled GOTO functions, the CG5 mount can be replaced with the Advanced VX mount.
I know you are on a pier, but unfortunately, the Advanced VX mount is only sold with a tripod. -
5 hours ago, LuckieEddie said:
Looks like a good candidate for an OnStep conversion to me. You can go full DIY for around £100 or there are ready made kits available for more cost but less effort - still well within your budget. This class of mount is well supported, there's lots of existing conversions. I OnStepped an E-Q5 - works well.
Interesting but my technical skills are not upto it.
-
16 hours ago, malc-c said:
In what way did the original ioptron EQ goto mount fail ? Seems strange that its beyond repair.
Initial failure was the wieghts had pulled the motor gears appart so that they didnt mesh nd then there was a coms error, I replaced the cable with a new one as that was what the manual said to do. Still had the same error so sent it of for repaire but the card for this mount was not in production so a second hand one was sourced. The mount is still not working and Iopton say it could be a motor issue and the repairer has said that going down this road may incur high costs. At the end of the day I belive the ioptron unit is an equivielent to the one of the first skywather goto mount kits.
-
My ioptron EQ goto mount has died, Its been away for repair and now been informed its BER
So Im looking at the celeston EQ mount that came with the C8N many years ago and thought is there a kit that can turn it into a goto scope.
my main use is visual observing but have an zwo asi 120 mc camera so would probably give that a shot.
Dont have mutch of a budget and as the mount is going on a pier I dont need a tripod if anyone suggests a new mount rather than a mod kit
budget would be around 300 to 500 pounds
Thanks in advance
Ian
-
3 hours ago, drjolo said:
Is there a separate cable that connects mount head to Dec motor part? If so, you may just to test the cable using multimeter if all wires are ok. Preparing that cable may be pretty easy.
I bought a new cable and it didnt work, I also tried all the other ports and that didnt work either.. Which is why I think its something more terminal.
-
Starting to wonder if get the mount repaired might be the way to go and possible use it as a part exchange..
-
I have a Celeston 8" Newtonian, C8N, I have had for over 20 years and I like it as a scope. About 8 years ago when I built an observatory I got a ex display Ioptron EQ mount "Gem5" and it sort of served me well, but had a nasy habbit of the gears becoming un meshed and during Covid sent it for repair but when it came back when I put the weights back on it pulled the gears out of alignment again and is now suffering from "warning can not communicate with DEC Motor controller.
Im sure in the right hands and the right technical knowledge It would be a great mount.
Me Im not technical, Fix one thing ang another error occours.
To be honest every winter I hear when are you going to use the telescope and the responses are it not polar aligned, the gears are slipping etc.
So Basically Im think about cutting my losses and want to start observing again with out any issues.
So Im looking for a GOTO mount that would be suitable for the current telescope (Unless there is a good package includes an OTA that just as good if not better), That I can use a ZWO 120 mc camera with. And more importantly easy polar alignment, (I do have a polar alignment cameara). I know things have moved on since I last looked at mounts.
Budget is probably around £300 (Please stop laughing)
I want to become relaxed with my observing and making it fun again.
What should I be looking at?
Thanks in advance
Ian
-
Hi All,
Before I start stripping things down I had this error the other day on a Ioptron Gem 5 eq mount
Warning can not communicate with Dec Motor Controller
So bought a new cable
Today when I went to put the new cable in the error message had disappeared so didnt bother changing it
But the telescope wont mount wont rotate.
I did think the clutch was loose
I then discovered that if I pushed the housing box up everything would work fine.
So Im assuming that something has slipped.
Do I need to strip it down, remove the box or is this just a case of tightening something up.
I also believe my weights were too heavy which may have caused this damage and replaced them with lighter weights.
Looking for an easy and quick way to fix this
Thanks
Ian
-
After a few years of my mount gears not meshing, I sent the mount motor of for repair and it came back fixed when I re atatched the balance weights I could physically see the gears un mesh.
Are my weights too heavy (Though they came with the wights)
Are my weights in the wrong position though the scope seems balanced
Is it a case I should just be sticking the allen key up the back and tightening the gears
mount is an Ioptron gem
Thoughts and advice much appriciated.
Ian
-
Started looking at this about 7 years ago and stopped due to cost. Have now atarted looking again. And items like the daystar, PST and some cheap Lunts have disappeared.
So was wondering what you should be looking for in a entry level HA scope and what is an acceptable cost, plan is to image using a ZWO ASI120 colour camera.
Thanks Ian
-
I think after the full on nightmare Ive been having with this, my lack of patience and frustration growing, plus never having the right tools available, I will probably be best to send off for repair. Does anyone have any experience of where best to send it to.
Thanks
Ian
-
When you mean engaging pleae confirm what you mean, As I believe and the video should show that both gears are turning. (The original problem was they wearnt engaging)
Thanks
IAn
-
Title says it all, have tightened the clutch after readjusting the gears to mesh, but now have no RA Rotation, DEc works fine.
What are my options or should I send the mount for repair?
Thanks
Ian
-
Hi All,
My Nightmare continues, have now fixed the Goto motors gears not engaging issue only to discover the RA Clutch lock seems to have stopped working, The Scope "falls" into its balanced position regardless of if the Clutch lock is on or not. When testin the motors the gears engage but no movement for RA
Im hoping this is a simple fix, can any one advise / point towards videos etc.
Thanks in advance
Ian
-
Its a thought but Im slightly worried about frying my Newtonian
-
OK Could be a how long is a piece of string question but being a Scot every penny is a prisoner and Im looking for some advice on the cheapest way to get into HA Solar Observing and advice on what I should be looking for.
Starting points for discussion.
Budget - As little as possible
Astrophotography - Yes
Portability - Yes
Easy to set up
Quick to set up
Pros and cons of entry level HA Scopes
Daystar solar scout SS60
Lunts (Cant see any under £1K anymore)
PST (Rust problems? )
(Are the 3 brands / items above the same as comparing apples or are they all different)
Any websites, etc that I could be pointed towards for help in gaining further knowledge.
Anything else that should be in the mix
Thanks
Ian
-
Ended up removing the the RA Motor Tightening screw screw at the back and removed the motor (Still attached to the case and then tightened the the worm gear screw and in the process lost the RA motor Tightening screw (It actually fell into the pier. So now off to find a replacement.
I have noticed though the RA Clutch lever doesnt seem to lock the RA rotation, If that's a problem its for a day after I get the replacement bolt.
skippys build
in DIY Observatories
Posted
10 years down the line update
Issues
Point 1, Will be done in the next month
Point 2 Sealant worked but water pools on the flat surface as the roof surface slopes inwards
Jobs still to do.
As per the above list!
Make some sort of Pi Cabinet for Allsky Camera, GMS Meteor Camera and soon to arrive Allsky Seven Camera
Improve Wi.
Jobs in progress
1) Repaint walls
2) New mount purchased and to be installed after rear walls retrofitted
Dome its self has fadded to matt but wont be repainted