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Lonestar70

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    Male
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    Astrophotography, Wildlife Studies and photography, Model engineering, Model steam engines and steamboats, computers and programming, electronics and Amateur radio (GM8ICC).
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    West Coast Scotland

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  1. It most certainly is still available: - https://www.otelescope.com/files/category/4-backyardnikon/ This is the developers site for both Backyard Nikon and Backyard EOS. Latest version for Backyard Nikon is 2.1.2
  2. Could it be the RA clutch pressure pad rubbing on the drum, rather than lifting fully clear of it when released. This could be caused by a small amount of old hardened grease in the clutch lever housing.
  3. Hi Applal, I don't think it will be the drum/gear touching the sides of the casting unless you have some slack (sideways or tilt) in the RA spindle bearings which should not happen with tapered bearing correctly adjusted. You state that the RA spins easily, with no stiction when you have the worm disengaged but you do when the worm is engaged and adjusted for minimal backlash. What you are describing is generally termed Periodic error and is caused by tiny amounts of eccentricity and/or tiny variations in the tooth form at different locations on both the worm gear and the worm... which cause tightening or relaxation in the spacing during rotation. These worms and worm wheels are mass produced by automatic machines and, whilst of very good quality, they are not high precision parts... for that you would be paying almost the cost of the entire mount on just the worm wheel alone. If you are running EQMOD and ASCOM then you can run a PER sequence on the mount to collect error factors to a data file for these variations and use the results to automatically correct the tracking.... Periodic error correction... whilst running the mount with auto tracking. I hope this helps.
  4. Hi Davor, I think you will need and extra 2" or 3" long extension between the scope and the camera arrangement to compensate for the missing diagonal that would normally be fitted to the scope for visual use. I have the ED 80 version of the Evostar and I need to add the extra extension, especially when I don't use the Field Flattener/focal reducer which serves to provide the extra length. The 55 mm backfocus is related to the field flattener/focal reducer. I hope this helps.
  5. Hi James, .CAD files are from 'autodesk QuickCad'... to convert to the more popular .DWG format you will need to save them in the new format using 'QuickCAD'. No other CAD program that I am aware of can open these files. 'QuickCad' can be downloaded here: - https://quickcad.software.informer.com/download/ I hope this helps.
  6. Longer and stronger stepper motors will draw considerably more current and may well overload the drivers on your control board. I would be very cautious about such a change on any Sky Watcher mount... they tend to be unforgiving of such things and just blow the control board... EXPENSIVE to replace.
  7. Hi, According to this OVL adv, it shows back focus distance as 55mm. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=JezXYvC2&id=50948A70E3E6C55655E7AFC07DE95C10748FFB14&thid=OIP.JezXYvC2F0gmer2S5Xu18wHaGw&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.microglobe.co.uk%2fimages%2fOVL-Field-Flattener-Adaptor-20225-2.jpg&exph=1060&expw=1162&q=ovl+field+flattener&simid=607991568116549632&ck=CF5150662E0C6744248937ED8F6DB50B&selectedIndex=0&FORM=IRPRST&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0 I hope this helps.
  8. It is good to hear that you have resolved the problem, albeit at considerable expense to yourself. There has been several cases of faulty assembly with this particular reducer and it would seem that you have another one to add to the score. You have a VERY strong case for returning the original one for a full refund as you can now prove it is faulty, especially if the new one was purchased from the same supplier. Even if purchased from a different supplier you can still prove it is faulty and not fit for purpose and should be able to get a full refund on its return. As you say, they are not cheap so certainly worth a complaint and return for full refund.
  9. Looks like Jupiter and possibly Saturn as well. Great shot.
  10. Just ordered a copy, it is a remarkable achievement for one so young. I wish him all the best for his future.
  11. Don't be in to much of a hurry to blame the motherboard... there are several other possibilities. 1, Does the small red indicator on the mount show a steady red when powered up?... if not then it could be a dodgy power lead or a bad connection on the input socket... see 3 below. 2, If the red light is on and steady, try using a straight through Ethernet cable (same as the one connecting your PC/laptop to your router) to connect the handset to the mount... if this allows the handset to power up then the curly cable is the problem... a reasonably common problem for these handsets. 3, Failing the above, remove the small front cover where the mount power and handset input are located... this will expose a small PCB which is separate from the motherboard... check the solder connections for the handset input socket and the power socket... it is not unusual to find either or both of these developing dodgy joints over time... my own HEQ5 developed just such a fault after a couple of years and a quick touch up with the soldering iron sorted it. 4, You can check if the handset works by powering it via the socket on the lower end... this would normally be used to update the handset software. Disconnect the handset from the mount... Hold down the 0 and 8 keys together then plug in the power connector... the handset should give a couple of bleeps and then display the current software loaded in the handset... if this works then the handset is probably OK and the problem lies with either the curly cable or maybe one of the above sockets on the small input board. If none of the above resolve the problem then I would agree with your suspected motherboard failure. Hope you can get it sorted.
  12. Sound like a possible power issue. How are you powering your mount?... if using a battery, check the voltage output from it under load (mount etc connected and switched on). If it is less than 12v then you need to recharge the battery. If you are using a mains driven DC power supply then check it's output voltage and also the connecting cable from supply to mount... note also: a DC power supply (or battery)should be capable of at least 5 amps continuous output at the DC voltage being used. The handset gets it's power from the mount so any issue with the mount supply will effect the handset. Hope this helps.
  13. Hi Jonathan, You can get a replacement handset cable from FLO. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-premium-handset-cables-for-sky-watcher-eq6-or-neq6-syntrek-pro-mounts.html Not overly cheap but better than a blown up Mother Board and I don't think you will find a better one, or cheaper. Hope this helps.
  14. Hi Shimrod and Mike, You will need to have a 2" dia extension of between 55 -65 mm optical length to compensate for the removal of the diagonal. This should achieve focus with the 533 at around the halfway point of the outward focuser travel. The focal point of the ED80 is approx 110mm from the outer face of the focuser draw tube without the diagonal fitted, and with the focuser fully retracted. Hope this helps. Good luck and clear sky's.
  15. Hi FMA, Sorry to read that your mount has to be returned, however, Flo will get you sorted in as short a time as possible... they are one of the best, if not the best, in the business.
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