Instructions for EQ3-2 dual motor drives

[JamesF]

I've downloaded the instructions for the EQ3-2 motor drives (like these: Dual-Axis Motor Drive for EQ3-2 - (with Multi-Speed Handset) by OVL) from the skywatcher website and decided I don't understand them. Can anyone explain how to use the control unit?

It has a N/off/S switch, which I do understand, then another labelled 8x/4x/2x and four buttons for RA left and right, and DEC up and down.

It's not at all clear to me how to get the RA motor to track at normal speed. It also looks like the LED between the RA and DEC buttons can be red or green and possibly yellow too, but what do those colours mean?

Is there a better explanation of how the unit works other than the single sheet Skywatcher page?

James

[palebluedot]

James, the N and S refer to the Northern and Southern hemispheres, when you want to track, switch it to N. The 8/4/2X settings are the speed at which the dec motor will run if you press the up and down buttons.

[JamesF]

Ahhh, so the RA motor only ever runs at one speed, either forwards or back?

James

[palebluedot]

I think the speed setting also effects the RA when you press the left and right buttons, but I am quite happy to be corrected on that one.

[tonyh66]

The RA tracks at the correct rate when no buttons are pressed and stops when you switch it off. the buttons are used for pointing the scope in the right direction before letting it track.

[JKB]

Also the RA motor will stop if you press 'Left' whilst controller set to 2x speed, until you release.

On 4x and 8x it will move both RA and Dec at that speed

HTH

[JamesF]

Thanks to everyone for their contributions. I should write it all down and summarise it somewhere I can refer to it until I've got the hang of things. I did try it out last night but it looks like there may have been a problem with the connections for the DEC axis as it didn't respond at all in those directions. I shall play with it some more in daylight.

James

[RikM]

It takes a few seconds for the gearing to kick in so you have to hold the buttons for quite a while before you see any movement. Also even at 8x speed it is sloooooowwwww. Better to push the mount around dob style until you get in the right area then use the motors for fine control.

[The Stoat]

Also check the clutch on the Dec axis, I had the same issue as I had simply forgot to tighten it up!

[Viv]

James - If the motors aren't very different to EQ5.

Then check where the connector plugs in & alo tighten the cogs on the end.

Found mine weren't done up properly, so the motor was running (you should be able to hear it).

[JimBobs63]

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me highjacking this discussion.

I have the same EQ3-2 RA/Dec dual drive motors and last night I found that I had broken the drive fitting that connects the RA motor to turn/track the mount.

Does anyone know where I can get spares for these RA/Dec Motors?

Thanks for any help you can give!

Jim