The storm fisherman

I Just manged to fit a stepper motor driver into the spare connector in the on step control unit for the auto focuser. Also if anyone requires the Molex part Number for the plug its available on eBay 2 plugs with the crimp socket pins for about £5.49 just need to work out the wiring placement squence to the stepper motor. The part number is as follows Molex 43025-0400 Micro-Fit 4 Way Connector

Extra day off tomorrow will be mount test day downloaded software and see if it all works ok. Guide cam and scope arrived Friday if mount works ok i will fit all together just the auto-focuser to buy and fit.

Had a productive day Yesterday (Saturday) cut and drilled the 1mm ally plate to remount the RA motor bracket the concept worked but because the ally was too thin and slightly bent inwards, so lifting up the bottom of the bracket up by a tiny amount. Going to remake the backing plate with the 2mm ally sheet, see photos. DA

Hi All I Purchased from AliExpress a On-step V4 Pro go-to kit for an EQ5 Mount about 5+years old this is the older style without the green trim. On Mounting the RA motor the bottom end of the bracket is lifting up once the bolt has been tightened, this is loosening the drive belt if I move the motor back there is not enough adjust to retighten the belt. looking at the bracket the mounting hole is to one side and this makes the bracket not sitting straight on the mount, this makes the bracket tighten down into fresh air. Has anybody else had this problem and what was your fix? My suggested fix is to get some thinnish ally sheet to sit across the mount given a flat stable surface see photos.

Update time the bearings have arrived and the mount has now been stripped degreased and new bearings fitted, unfortunately the thrust bearing was too thick so I reused the old metal one as it looked brand new I may replace that bearing at a later date. The mount has now been put back together and backlash tuned out the mount now feels very smooth and free running. Just waiting for guide scope and camera to arrive, In the mean time I am fitting an on-step V4 pro to the mount to give motorized GOTO control see other post.

Fortunately, the end caps did come off, but they are basically scrap due to the glue holding them on did not soften very well with heat possible due to age. I will at a later stage get a replacement solution for them. The grease that was still there is still soft but not much of it, the nut and bolt was on so tight had to use an extension bar and a couple of taps from the rubber mallet to free it off. Most of the mount is now stripped and clean, just waiting on new UK bearings the ones in there are probably ok but I only Want to do this job once. I will be putting all back together when the new bearings arrive along with the new motorized go-to kit I will add at the same time.

Thanks Pete For confirming my thoughts. Yes a hair dryer has many uses we use a couple at work for removing old shipping labels etc from sides of cardboard boxes so we can use them especially ours or customer return boxes.

Hi all Been away for far too long just getting back into the Hobby. I just purchased from a guy a brand new never been open or used EQ5 MOUNT been sat in the loft for 5 years so needs and complete re- grease and tune up. After an inspection the only problem I have found is the latitude pivot bolt under the black side caps is frozen solid I suspect the grease has gone rock hard. My question is how do you remove the black plastic caps as I want to keep the mount in original condition as possible. are they just pushed on or are they glued on? if glued on will some gentle heating help soften the glue.

Hi Neil like the build reading through your thread i have manged to answer 2 off my own questions, A is to leave the pier white and B how to reduce the distance between the top and bottom mount plate on top of the pier.

Hi Jim For electronics like this a 2-5% failure rate is to be expected as to a new peice of tech I think it was upto nearer 30-40% rate . That unit has been sold for over 30 years which I think is testament to its reliability over the years and the simple component design . The 3amp little brother that I modded is still going strong I spoke to its owner earlier this eve and must be at least 20 years old I my self have A 30 amp mason psu with twin meters as I am also a licensed radio operator Paul

Hi Jim Unfortunately if there signs of tampering they will not touch with a barge pole. I started as a Technical sales assistant when Maplins were renowned for their expertise and i made the lofty heights of shop manger 9 years later. But all is not lost any good electronics enthusiast could probably fix it but need to put a multi meter and a basic scope to find out where the fault is but my best guess it is still the regulator because you still a have dc voltage and 21 volts output and plenty of current, The transformer is good and is big enough to cope it may be a 24v dual wound transformer. so it has to be on the output side beyond the bridge rectifier stage as you have dc voltage just hence no regulation only full output. I do not suspect any fuses at this time. capacitors will sometimes have bulge on top but not always there may be a transistor or diode as well. The fact there are two variable resistors one is voltage and the other is for current possibly connected to the big metal transistor on the heat sink on the rear, looking at a LM723 voltage regulator IC circuit pins 4 and sometimes Pin3 along with pin 13 is volt set pins this is as an example but this getting into technical territory. Paul

Hi Jim i was just reading your thread contrary to popular myth you do not require a receipt as an ex Maplin manager a proof of purchase is all that is required IE a bank statement and also i can confirm that there is a fault with regulator unless they have change the regulation circuit there is an internal variable resistor to adjust the voltage i had great success in turning one of these into a variable voltage psu by mounting a pot variable resistor out to the front panel.

Hi Neil Good Luck with build i am just slightly ahead of you i am just about to concrete the pier if the weather this weekend is dry.