EQ6-R problems

[Mike 51]

On the RA dial when I release the RA clutch the RA dial moves with the mount but when I lock the clutch and use the hand controller ( power the RA ) the RA dial doesn't go round with the mount so the calibration of the dial is lost when under power. is this correct or is there something wrong. I have attached a video.
The next question after doing a star alignment I get a warning in the hand controller  "Caution the value of the previous NPE is applied" what is this?  I hope you can help as this is my first go to mount. My thanks in advance Mike.

 

 

  

[bosun21]

The setting circle has a locking screw on it which you tighten after successfully setting the home position. There’s many videos on YouTube explaining this procedure for EQ mounts. NPE is non perpendicular error. You can use the hand controller to set this to zero and eliminate the constant messaging.

[Cornelius Varley]

Your mount is working as it should. When the RA clutch is locked and the mount rotates on its RA axis the pointer will remain pointed at the same RA value. The mount is tracking a point in the sky which has a constant value. The setting circles on the mount can be ignored because you don't need them with a goto mount. NPE (Non Perpendicular Error) can be ignored.

[Mike 51]

Thank for the reply's.        Yes this happens when the locking screws are tight, I just found it strange that when the RA clutch is off that the RA dial turns with the mount, as it should, but when you lock the clutch, and use power the RA dial is no longer tied to the mount it does not move so the RA is no longer calibrated. So you have lost the  calibration.   I even found in the instruction manual it says once the dials are calibrated the mount can either be motor driven or manually to specified coordinates by referring to the dial readings. 

Edited June 7, 2023 by Mike 51
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[Cornelius Varley]

11 hours ago, Mike 51 said:

Thank for the reply's.        Yes this happens when the locking screws are tight, I just found it strange that when the RA clutch is off that the RA dial turns with the mount, as it should, but when you lock the clutch, and use power the RA dial is no longer tied to the mount it does not move so the RA is no longer calibrated. So you have lost the  calibration.   I even found in the instruction manual it says once the dials are calibrated the mount can either be motor driven or manually to specified coordinates by referring to the dial readings. 

Thats how setting circles work. To use the setting circles to find an object in the sky of known RA and DEC value :

1. Align the telescope with a star of known RA and DEC and rotate the setting circles to match those values.
2. With RA and DEC clutches released manually slew the telescope until the RA and DEC values now match those of the new target. Retighten the clutches and continue with clutches engaged and mount driven.

The above method is used with manual mounts ie those without goto. If you use this method with a goto mount you will lose goto alignment, unless the mount has dual encoders. Also, setting circles on most mounts are not very accurate.