Jump to content

SkySurveyBanner.jpg.21855908fce40597655603b6c9af720d.jpg

newstargazer01

New Members
  • Posts

    24
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by newstargazer01

  1. Hello and help. I am trying to connect my Nexstar 5SE through my computer to use Stellarium. I have already downloaded and set up CPWI. My mount connects without any problems. I am using the older phone jack type of serial connection on the hand controller. You might say that is enough but I just don’t like the appearance and working of CPWI. I have been using stellarium for a while to browse and plan what I might wand to try and look at. It feels more friendly. I have been around in circles trying to get it connected. I am going mad with Com ports. I had seen one YouTube video which used virtual Nexremote but I can not get through the virtual remote setup where Com ports are selected. When I try this on the virtual remote is does not retain the Com selections which I am aware should be different. Even if I ignore the virtual nexremote I try to set up the stellarium connection. I create the new mount in configuration option and telescope setup pull down menu. It advises the mount is compatible but remains “stopped” after selecting connect. where to next? Regards
  2. Hi out there. Any advice or help greatly appreciated. i own a Celestron CGE pro mount. The electronics pier is done and I have had to convert to an OnStep conversion. This works very well but as the celestron pier electronics are not working the celestron focus motor that I have on my OTA has nothing to drive it. Does anyone know if there is a way of driving the focus motor that does NOT use the celestron electronics pier and hand controller? Help greatly appreciated.
  3. Thank you again for all those words of wisdom. Great forum and platform for queries. SJ
  4. Thank you for that information. I initially saw movement and it is like the mount is trying to re-centre. I think as the planetary movements are quicker it is something I see but I did not see this happening if looking at stars, doubles or clusters etc. There is no sense there of the mount trying to re-centre. Thanks again
  5. Thank you for getting back to me. The tracking was setup on Alt/Az. How would I know if it was on the Alt or Az side? The only options for tracking rates are Sidereal, Lunar and Solar. Do you have a view on the best choice for planets. I often wondered that the SCT is regarded as best for planet work that there is no specific mention on how to track the planets.
  6. Hi. I have a small Celestron Nexstar 5SE. Although limited by it’s size it is handy and easily Alt/Az aligned. I have been preoccupied with trying to get my larger mount converted to OnStep and have only recently returned to using the 5SE. When I was looking at Jupiter and Saturn the other night I set it to track on Solar mode. I am not sure that I didn’t have this issue before but when on either of these planets the tracking seems to show a jerking or reset every 2-3 seconds. Any ideas if this is normal or wha the cause might be. Thanks
  7. Hi and thanks for the reply. I have an OnStep setup ready to install but if the motors were still working they could be sold on. This would mitigate the cost of the OnStep set up. Any ideas on checking the motors?
  8. Hi anyone out there. i was having issues with my CGE pro mount in that I thought the source of my problem was the electronics pier. I fear something shorted within the pier as there is minimal response via the hand control to slew commands or moving to switch position etc. The focus motor is working via it’s connection to the electronics pier. Can any member advise if there is any way to determine whether the RA and DEC motors are still working while not using the electronics pier. Rather than scrap the motors there may be some deserving soul who could use them. Help and advice in anticipation much appreciated. Regards SJ
  9. Hi. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. I am working through issues I am having with my Celestron CGE Pro mount. I accept that it is an older mount and in addition now unsupported by the Celestron Tech team. The issues I was having initially started with the Nexstar + hand controller which failed to respond to pressing the ‘ALIGN” button. After this issues of fast slew speed and overshooting began. Can anyone give an opinion on whether a hand controller electronics would have the ability to cause the speeding up issues . No error messages are showing on the hand controller. Thanks SJ
  10. Hi thanks forgetting back. I thought you posted the video feed from Chad Gray and that’s what you had obtained. Like many other Celestron users things are great when they are working. In the case of the CGE Pro mount the only message you get from Celeston support team, whom I have contacted, is that “we no longer support this product”. To say the least it leaves you with a bad taste in the mouth. You would think they would be more forthcoming and say all the technical information, specs and electronic components, drawings etc were available to download as there would be no “copyright” issues(if that is the right word) given that it is no longer in production. I have messaged one contributor on Cloudynights who has done the opening of the electronics pier thing. I am just waiting for him to get back to me with more information. Thanks for your interest. SJ
  11. Hi Chad Gray”s conversion is the one I have already decided upon if my repair job runs out of steam. Did you get it? If so did you have any extra charges from HM Customs & VAT? Thanks SJ
  12. Has anyone out there opened a Celestron CGE Pro electronics pier. There are aluminium discs at either end . For the life of me i cannot work out how you see what is inside as i would like to inspect the motor control board as i may have to replace it. THANKS
  13. Hi thanks for the reply and interest. Before I started researching my problems of motor replacements and what i could do I went down the route of researching OnStep. I had made my mind up on a system I had seen on the OnStep forum pages. Mind you I have no idea what they are talking about when they go down the rabbit hole of talking “electronics”. The discussions are a maze as well as amazing. I hadn’t even considered the option of there being a potential issue of electronics faults from within the electronics pier. The cost of motors and motor boards for unsupported Celestron is stunning. The OnStep system I was looking at would include x2 motors, pier electronics “mother board” and hand controller. It would come in around $600. The biggest issue would be motor replacements compared to maybe only replacing x1 of the original motors and now possibly the pier motor control board. Needing to replace one motor at high cost may be less attractive than a “new system”. Thankfully I do not feel as desperate but recognise that what others experienced. “Do all I have now is a boat anchor?” When I am able to source materials I will be able to keep you posted. Regards SJ
  14. Hi. I have been having issues with my CGE Pro mount wherein it starts doing what Celestron Tech people have referred to as ludicrous speeds. In addition it overshoots while speeding up on GOTO functions. After swapping the Motor cables at the electronics pier end the issues move from the DEC motor to the RA motor. The tech people say this differentiates between a Motor Control Board issue and individual motor, motor board or motor encoder issues. Has anyone had the same experience and where could I source a replacement Motor Control Board? Thanks SJ
  15. Very new to these areas. Can I presume that 2.3.5 beta will be for general released at some stage as I see that one has to register with Team Celestron. I don’t think that I would be up to speed as most of this technology talk goes right over my head. I think paraphrasing Forrest Gump “simple is as simple does” would express my newbie level of experience/ability.
  16. I must admit that the CPWI software was very nice when i first looked at it. The thought of laptop control was great as it effectively meant a no touch when used with the Celestron focuser. I had initially become frustrated trying to hold a laptop, slew for alignment, centre and finish the process while trying to look through the eyepiece, put glasses on to look at the computer screen and all in the dark. THEN through the lounge the option of XBOX controller was revealed. Such a difference. So pleased. Just a small question. Has anyone noticed that the programme takes it’s time to load? On my new laptop (Windows 10). It can take up to 2 to 3 minutes. Touching the keys during this time can make the programme show “not responding” and the laptop has to be closed and rebooted. Any suggestions on this issue?
  17. Hi. I had been thinking along the same lines. I also got a quote from Surespan and buckled at even the manual version. I thought I would see if I could get a more reasonable quote from Surespan in Ireland as I live there. Not a bad idea I thought but soon got the rudest email from a salesperson suggesting I was trying to undermine him. I didn’t know he represented both Surespan UK and Ireland. My first thought was how dare he. His job was to sell his product and why shouldn’t I try to get a better deal. Enough of my rant. How did your project with the prefab hatch get on. If successful how did you manage weather proofing on the side that had to move up out of the road to roll over? Hoping to hear from you. SJ McH
  18. Hi. Given the numbers of pictures, posts etc etc there are lots of people browsing the net/site for information and sharing same. I am at the final stages of an observatory build. I have been dogged by one major problem and that is roof opening. In an ideal world a ROR would be needed but my roofer/builder has been very slow. I settled to have the roof closed in for two reasons. Firstly to have some sense of completion the roof was fixed and closed. Secondly the builder was very reluctant or could not fathom the ROR option. He fears the generally rainy stormy winter weather blowing in from the Atlantic would potentially see the roof leak or worse still lift off in a storm. I am considering a slide away hatch option. Could you advise how you managed this part of your build and how did you weather proof? I see one of you pictures shows rails extending over the roof. Are these telescopic as the do not appear to be present in other pictures? Hoping for inspiration. SJMcH
  19. Hi

    looking for answers on roof design, roll off details and weather sealing. What information do you need to give advice. 

    I doubt if an on site assessment is feasible as i like in extreme NW Ireland.

    The pictures show the obey portion of the build on the left.

    thanks

    3613C7A1-DC59-4054-BF77-BF853D548D51.jpeg

    7FDB0905-54C5-4F75-BC3B-A1E2874F11A5.jpeg

    1. Cornelius Varley

      Cornelius Varley

      mcooke999 is no longer a member of this forum so you won't get a reply.

      sgl mods team.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.