Guiding conversion project for 200p and EQ5

[Gina]

Nice

[badgers]

Those are absolutely cracking shots for your first guided runs!

How long were the exposures ?

[Peter_A]

14 x 2 minute subs, ISO 400. I would have taken more subs but the mist was gathering and the dew was bad. I had to use my 12v hair drier on the secondary mirror and the objective lens of my guidescope. Not long after that my laptop died (it runs from the same 12v battery).

I could process the ring nebula to make it less over blown but I was trying to make the galaxies show up, they are more visible in my hi res versions compared to the low res ones I uploaded.

Pete.

[The_PSY3NTIST]

Got my gpusb today now got all the bits and bobs, just needs putting together. Can't wait to get it all working. Cheers QM

[Hawkeye]

Does anyone know if having done this conversion if software like APT will be able to control (move) the telescope..

I realise it will never be a full goto system, but what about the normal RA/DEC control?

Cheers

Paul

[Quatermass]

You can move the scope with the software from shoestring but it just moves your axis ra and dec nothing special. Glad to see others finding the mod we all worked on helpful it is a budget solution though and fun to do. Have not used it much after my last motor drive kit burned out in the rain stupid me leaving scope uncovered. But it works even if it is a bit tricky sometimes.

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[Quatermass]

Pete put an old camping mat around the end of your scope it makes a great dew shield and will stop your secondary mirror fogging up.

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[pixueto]

Mark, I've just been watching your picture of the Helix nebula. Astonishing! An it's not even guided! You put us all to shame!

Forgive me if I'm a bit cheeky but we all could learn enormously with a thread where you explain step by step your digital imaging processing. I now you have many youtube videos on it but I was thinking about something similar to what you did with your Horsehead and Flame nebula where you took a particular DSO and explained with all detail what you did.

Edited September 22, 2012 by pixueto

[Quatermass]

Hi Pix

The Helix Nebula was a challenge and a half. Guided subs and longer subs would be the norm for this kind of target. So my method is to wait for the perfect night very dark clear and no light polution. Using backyard eos to insure focus is accurate and framing is spot on I begin. Started with 5 unguided subs at 60 sec to see what the image is like and change ISO to 1600 and increase time if needed to get better gen shot. Once I am happy with the subs I then set byeos to take 70 subs keeping an eye on the approaching dew point. Then let it all get on with it.

Thats the general method for data collection. Processing is in several parts. levels and curves. Star selection and reduction. Colour correction and enhancing. High pass filter using hide all layers. Noise reduction and final tweaks including luminance boost and final levels adjustment.

I will do a vid for you on the Helix processing so you can follow what I do hope that will be helpful to you mate.

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[Quatermass]

I doooo not belive it!!! another blasted dual axis control pad burned out on me this evening! arrrrggghhhh thats the second one this year wretched piece of junk that they are grrr. So miffed off. packed everything away will look at it tomorrow morning utterly depressing.

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[Quatermass]

PHEEWEEE what a relief! Took the handset apart today and nothing was working the led was just red and green and it would not work at all. I sat there cursing my luck on these wretched handsets for a bit then decided it was time to try something out.

Went up stairs and got my old one that did not work and pulled out the set of resistors under the button panel they come out in one big group. I then removed the resistor panel on my faulty handset and replaced it with this one from my old handset, fingers crossed please god make it work...I know absolutely nothing about electrics this was a pure give a go and see if it works attempt.

Wahooooo! the green light lit up and its all working great again. :grin:

I guess some water got in there and blew one of the resistors out, but very very glad that its working again as skywatcher do not sell the handsets on there own and you have to pay out for the whole thing which is 100 quid.

[badgers]

That's my kind of electronics repair!

Nice work Mark, glad you've fixed it.

[Gina]

Well done

[Tinker1947]

Glad you back in business, well done......

[pixueto]

Thank God! Does anyone in the forum do home made handsets? I bet that would be a viable business considering SW ask you to pay for the motors too!

[The_PSY3NTIST]

Good to hear you got it sorted QM I'm going to look at waterproofing mine some how after this! Going to be a while till I can afford an heq5......

[Quatermass]

I am going to make a water proof box for mine if you get damp or dew creeping in to the buttons you can expect it to burn out on as its done it twice to me now. I have two spare motors and a spare unworking hand controller at present. Was thinking that if I can get the resistor panel replaced it might make that one work as well but like I said I am not electrician just very lucky. Any way were back in business now just need a clear night and to get rid of all this cloud and rain. Cheers everyone

[Tinker1947]

You could try Freezer Bags with the zipped up top, cheap, see through, waterproof....

[Quatermass]

Great minds think alike thats what I did tonight

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[badgers]

I'm currently using Blue Tac to hold my 2" Light Pollution filter in my imaging setup...

Love the lo-tech solutions : )

Anton

[Quatermass]

Ah good old blue tak brilliant stuff

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[Peter_A]

Pete put an old camping mat around the end of your scope it makes a great dew shield and will stop your secondary mirror fogging up.

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Sorry Mark I only just spotted your tip. Thanks, I'll see if I can find one of those in my local shops. Yet more weight though, maybe I'll try making a short extension for my balance weight bar.

Pete.

[Hawkeye]

Well, I now have all the bits I need to do this conversion... so there should be another EQ5 guiding by Saturday night

[Quatermass]

Looking forward to seeing your results good luck

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[The_PSY3NTIST]

Finally got guide scope connected to the 200p