Issues with HEQ5 mount

[hjw]

After years of dutiful service my HEQ5 mount is playing up. It started with the Synscan controller at times claiming that no mount was found when outside. Back inside everything was fine. I did change the power source but that didn't seem to make a difference. During (the Australian) winter there were not too many opportunities anyway. Now it's getting warmer and the skies improve I took the scope out again and the mount connected but now I noticed that the guide impulses through ST4 cable are not having any effect. During calibration in PHD2 the mount is not moving at all besides the normal star tracking. In other words the mount seems to be working but I lost guiding. The place where I bought the mount moved from Melbourne to Sydney and there is no other repairer within 800km. With the 2 issues together I am afraid it is something major.

Anny ideas appreciated!

Clear skies!

[Tomatobro]

If you could lay your hands on some electrical contact cleaner I would spray up the cable and mount connections and install and remove twenty or thirty times to ensure the connections are clean and bright and then retry the mount. If no success then try manipulating the wire next to the connector(s) to see if the mount comes to life. If it does then suspect a broken wire.

This is based on what sounds like a connection issue given the random intermittent nature of the problem. It could be a lot deeper problem but that is where I would start.

Be sure the power supply is good also

[hjw]

Thanks Tomatobro, I did what you suggested and had partial success. Three out of four directions during guiding are working. Tried to find a straight RJ12 cable with 6 wires (6P6C) rarer than hen's teeth :( What did people do before ebay?!

Thanks again! Hopefully I'm on the right track!

[Tomatobro]

Glad to help......