Disaster

[wookie1965]

Disaster sky cleared really nice set up took me 40 mins plugging dew straps in Polar aligning as accurate as I could. Cleared all PAE I had done before to start afresh 3 star alignment Sirius this was to low so pressed down Capella right above my head so thought no Rigel yes that will do for the first star pressed enter and nothing can hear the motors but not moving. Checked all connections started again scrolled through to Rigel again nothing motors going no movement I`m really hacked off now. Can someone tell what to do so I can fix this please or is there anyone near to me who could take a look at the mount please.

[Charic]

Obviously not a good night for you, and nothing I can do to help either, if only I was closer, at least I could try!
And this may not want you want to hear, but of all your kit, rid the Go-To and stick with a Dob, situation solved.
I just hope you get your problem sorted soonest. There must be some good Samaritan nearby to help. 

Whatever has happened, hopefully  its just a simple oversight on your behalf, take your time, have a brew, have another look at it.

Edited December 21, 2016 by Charic

[Peter Drew]

My first thought is that if the motors are running and the mount is not moving then there is something amiss with the transmission.

First check should be on the clamps to make sure their clutches are holding properly. If they are then it's likely that there is a breakdown where the motor shaft engages with the worm. Both of these scenarios are unlikely to happen suddenly, there is usually some sort of intermittant effect. At least these preliminary checks are easily done.  Good luck.  

[wookie1965]

I think I'm going have to strip the mount down never done this before a bit apprehensive but I have to try. 

[D4N]

Is the power supply stable?  It is odd to have both axis go at the same time.

[brantuk]

Did you tighten up the clutches? Just a thought......

[DeepSkyBagger]

16 minutes ago, brantuk said:

Did you tighten up the clutches? Just a thought......

My first thought, too.

[wookie1965]

Yes I really nipped the clutches up it moves when there is no load. Using same power supply I have always used, I have just got a leisure battery but have not got cables for it yet. I`m going to strip it and try get it working.

 

[YKSE]

Before you start striping the mount, I'd suggest that put more time to ensure that it was not caused by power issue.

I've taken my mount and battery out many times, here're the issues I've had:

1. A cable was broken by some reason, no power to mount, fixed with a cable.

2. Jump start battery couldn't stand the cold (some -15°C), drained faster than it was new, mount motor making noise, but no movement. Replaced with a Gel Battery.

3. Battery charger faulty, or it doesn't charge when battery voltage is very low(actually many new digital charger can behave like that). Mine got the Gel battery insufficent charged, mount behaved weired after some hours in the field. Had to buy a new better charger.

I've not had one incident with the mount itselft. I would suggest that you start at home, using main power supply to check how the mount functions first.

[sloz1664]

Before you strip down the mount have a good test with the mount in daylight. Ensure you have a good electrical connection to the mount and the led indicator is lit. I assume you are using the synscan controller for the mount. Using the controller try to moving the mount in both RA and Dec at a high setting. If both axis are  moving and the led indicator is still lit and steady you have no issues with the motors or any power concerns. If it is totally dead it is probably a board issue. 

If you need to strip down your mount and I would consider this a last resort. There are plenty of guides on this forum on how to strip down, fettle and assemble your EQ5 mount.

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Starlight 1]

I am to far away to be any help . but never seen a motor pack up  in this mount.

[wookie1965]

I was using a mains supply same one I have used many times before it has LED to say it was on as soon as I switched on the synscan handset lit up went through normal set up. The first time it did slew but was miles out it was pointing to Saiph not Rigel I thought there was something wrong then, turned off handset repositioned the scope in the the park position switched on input all right data again went to Rigel this time nothing could hear the motors but would not slew.

[Starlight 1]

Take the side cover of and look at the drive  sound like the motors are ok. do a 9 slew you soon see what not going round  .

[barrie greenwood]

This does sound like a power issue

Try using a different source like a car battery with a full charge I've had all sorts of issues with my goto power was the first point of call next was the data input not being correct and last night was an awful night as I had undated the software in the handset and it just would not get anywhere near the targets

It's easy to overlook a simple error and get lost with it all, start with power and work through the problem methodically before attempting to strip your mount down that I would do last when all else fails

Edited December 22, 2016 by barrie greenwood

[Waldemar]

Sounds like too low voltage to me... check the power supply if you have a multi meter or try another supply'or if you own a car, try to connect it through a cigarette lighter plug connector.

[JOC]

My set-up seems very similar/the same as yours.  I think you can move these mounts manually if all else fails (check the book, but I think that's what it said - I took my first look at the moon the other night without it tracking and just hand positioned it.  Maybe worth a try if all else fails rather than waste a clear night?

[cjdawson]

STOP!   If your mount is still under warrenty, get in contact with the suppliers.  Tell them the problem. 

This sounds like a mechanicam problem.    Why do I say that "The motors are going", "The scope slews with no load"  but when you put load on it stops.     That smacks to me of a faulty clutch, or maybe something in a motor gearbox is broken.

Hence, if you can get a warrenty repair done on it, you'll be better off.  And do this before taking it apart as that might void the warranty.

With any luck it's just a slipping clutch.

[wookie1965]

Thank you everyone unfortunately I bought this second hand so no warranty, I have had it out with my son and found it was power problem plugged in a different power supply and it works  with load so hopefully take it out as it looks clear and everything works (crossed fingers).

 

[cotterless45]

Power is the very devil ! I check my input voltage in use. Cold weather zaps power from cables and batteries. Hope you get going tonight ,

old Nick.

Edited December 22, 2016 by cotterless45

[cjdawson]

Well done for finding the root cause of the problem.  Thank <insert deity of choice here) that it was nothing more serious.

It's remarkable how many times I've had power problems with my setup. They all stopped when I gave up and starting using a 70Ah leisure battery.  Since then, it's always worked well.  shame the battery takes up a huge amount of space.

When i'm at home, I have a project on the go that will allow me to use the mains to power my scope.  I've not fully tested it yet, but being able to supply 23A should be more than enough for every piece of gear that I could ever want to use.  (It'll be perfect for having my scope in the Caravan next year, as I'll not need to take along the huge battery box. (which will be a waste of space as I'll most likely run a 20m ethernet cable, so could run a 230v power cable to the scope as well)

[wookie1965]

I have ordered and received a 70ah Marine/Leisure battery I`m just waiting for cables to attach to the scope then I will be using that instead should not have any problems then.

Paul

[cjdawson]

Yep, you should be able to run your scope, dew heaters, laptop and cameras from that battery without any problems.

[brantuk]

Glad you sorted the problem Wookie - it was sounding iffy for a brief while there.

[wookie1965]

Thanks brantuk I'm really happy I don't have to strip the mount. 

Paul 

[barrie greenwood]

Power is always the first point with bad slewing it doesn't take much of a drop in amps allow the goto to start playing up I found this when I got my eq5 and wasted a night and at  one point in the eve I thought I had bought a dud

Baz