Celestron Ultima 8 pre-PEC fork mount hand controller

[Gregely]

Hi SGL

I popped this topic on CN too but noone seems to know anything.

I came by an old Celestron Ultima 8 pre-PEC. I really like the scope and the mount it may be that I have read too much of Uncle Rod's and other's praise that I feel this scope has some intangible personality and charm.

Anyway...

Circuitry in the base seems to work fine even though the batteries don't hold charge but drive the Ra axis . I have 2 replacement on its way to me.

Now my issue: It didn't come with a hand controller. I know it is not needed for tracking, and I don't have a Dec motor but I find it would be useful for centering in RA and D.A.R.V. method drift alignment.

I was on the verge of making a crude controller out of veroboard and 4 momentary switches that I thought to be correct from the info on various sites, but then I came across an Ultima 8 project that clearly showed the hand controller for my scope.

The pic attached is the one.

 

I am looking for help on how the dial and buttons are wired in and/or photos of the innards of the hand controller or if anyone knows what else is inside the handbox.

The sources I was going on so far is a combination of the following 3 links:

https://www.cloudyni...ding/?p=8015749

https://onstep.group...in/message/6300

https://github.com/garlick/ultima8/blob/master/base/README.md

 

These of course don't include drive rate rotary switch in the middle and if I could I would really like to to restore the full ability of this mount without spending too much  on electronics. Plus I don't want to spend time and effort on wiring something that doesn't work.

 

Oh and lastly I have no background  or experience in electronics just own a soldering station and a whole lot of determination.

 

Thanks in advance

Greg