astro postman

It’s basically a full upgrade kit then? Thanks for your help.

I know this topic is extremely old but it’s been a project in process. Due to lockdown my interest in astronomy has been revived. My question is can I replace my stepper motors to speed up slewing? The original motors are too slow to slew and I would like some more speed. I want to keep the board and the gears but just change the motors. I think they maybe nena 17? Information on motor sizes, power and dimensions would be appreciated.  Is this possible?

Thank again kens

Does PHD2 or APT give a man identification and location of object through the skies?

Thanks for the reply. Once I’m on the target manually, and locked on, I guess I don’t need to worry about the slow slewing? Do you mean the only way that I will know where I am is by the setting circles, or is there another more visual way?

If I am on target for setting up the hardware. The next problem will be the software. With Cartes du Ciel  which connection driver do I use? 

Ken’s. It sounds like the mount is sorted? I just need to get the right camera?

Paul 779. Thanks for your help. The GPUSB is wired into the handset which is connected to the mount. It doesn’t have a ST4 port. I think I can connect the camera, which will be fitted to 9x50 finder scope, directly into the PC. There is something I just can’t get my head around here?😂

I understand that you can connect camera directly to PC?

What is the GPUSB for? is it a direct replacement for an ST4 Port? Or do I still need a ST4 Port to connect HC to PC?

One last thing, I do not have separate leads exiting the HC for RA and DEC. It is a telephone jack that fits directly in the mount. I guess this is not a problem just a later adaptation from EQ3 mount?

On further study, if I cut the plug off the crossover adapter and wire it into the handset this would give me a ST4 port. I could then buy a ST4 to usb cable to connect to PC.
I am confused as to what the GPUSB connection to PC does? I thought it did the same thing? Would any of this work? Thanks, in advance for any help.

On 24/01/2021 at 10:56, kens said:

You need some way of connecting the computer to your mount for autoguiding to work. The two most common ways are:

1. connect the camera to computer via USB and connect camera to mount with ST4
2. connect camera to computer via USB and connect mount to computer via another USB

Method 2 is preferred because it allows more functionality but is not an option for you.

As far as I know you would have to modify your hand controller to provide an ST4 connection for option 1.

Now even if you could get that part working you need to be able to send commands from your computer to the mount. For that you need a device like an AstroEQ which plugs into a USB port and converts to ST4. I think you'd be better off getting a camera with an ST4 port and/or a mount with at least ST4 connection. Unless you are into DIY electronics 

I got this with it as well. I guess it’s redundant? The black ends takes the handset. The other end is a larger and I guess fits into a ST4 port but I don’t have a socket on the mount for it. Thanks

The handset plugs into the mount where another cable comes out of the handset and is wired to GPUSB which plugs into the computer via USB. Would this be suitable for connecting the mount via ASCOM? Then the guiding camera would then be directly connected, via USB to the computer. Thanks

The handset has been modded with GPUSB box.

Thanks Olly for replying. I’m happy that I am there or thereabouts. The camera I intend on buying is a BRESSER MikrOkular Full HD Eyepiece Camera. (I know. It’s probably the cheapest astrocam in the world). It does not have a ST4 port but I have seen YouTube videos where astrophotographers prefer not to use their ST4 ports and so I cannot connect to the mount. That is why I was wondering if the camera is just directly plugged into laptop? My mount does not have a ST4 port either, only a socket for handset input. (Not sure if this a ST4 port). I will watch some YouTube videos on PHD as I am not sure  how the telescope interacts with the software and what, or how, it all works. Thanks again for your advice.

Hi. I understand that it’s possible to autoguide with a non GoTo telescope. Does anyone have experience of this? I have a HEQ5, RA and DEC tracking mount with a Skywatcher 200p telescope. I would like to add a astrocam to the 9x50 finder scope and start taking nebula images with a DSLR camera. I know this is pretty basic but it’s a start. Can anyone advise if this setup is workable and if so, what software would I need that would guide the astrocam? Also, would it just plug straight into a laptop?  Additionally, I also have the scope connected to the laptop with a GPUSB box with ASCOM driver and EQMOD software. As a beginner I have attempted to connect to Cartes Du Ciel but it does not show my telescope position when I move the scope, even though I understand that the software does not drive the scope, as I don’t have GoTo. Maybe this is not compatible with my simple setup? If this is not going to work out, then is there another way to use as an imager? As suggested before, I know i need to manually get the object in view, but once that is done will autoguiding keep it there? Quite a lot of questions I know but please accept my lack of knowledge? I think the more  I read, the more I am confused? Thank you for looking at my post. Kind regards.

Still waiting for Tom to let me know when he has an AstroEQ ready. Like you i think he is extremely busy.

Kev

Thanks Rob

Are there any other AstroEQ setups that can give me info or direction?

I can thoroughly recommend Tom's Astroeq, Last year I upgraded an EQ5 from basic to fully goto with eqmod. As far as I know you keep the standard motors with an HEQ5.

Unfortunately I can't help with adding ST4 to an HEQ5. As a last resort  try emailing Tom through his TCWorld site, however I'm sure a good search will get the info you need. I'll keep looking and let you know if I find anything to help.

Rob.

Thanks Rob

can you post some pics of your set up so i can see where/how the motors are attached to your scope and can you provide details of motor model and pulley/gear sizes so i can purchase the correct equipment?

Hi Beamer3.6m

Great reports on Mr Carpenters kit. Not really interested in controller as i will control via laptop. Maybe utilise the standard motors but they do not have a connection for RJ-11 cables. If anyone knows the wiring configuration to connect cables to wiring, that would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi all

I have been very interested in upgrading to Tom Carpenters AstroEQ equipment but do not find myself technically confident. Could any one who has completed this upgrade please guide me  from the start, with step by step instruction on how to do this? Any information on specific motor types, pulleys, brackets, etc would be appreciated and where/how to affix to  mount. Also, wiring and cable connecting.

I have attached photo's of my mount.

Kind regards  for your time and I have attached photos below.