Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Technical => Topic started by: Mike on Feb 27, 2010, 11:01:14

Title: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Feb 27, 2010, 11:01:14
Finally after hunting for over a year I have found somewhere that can provide a replacement worn and gear set for my damaged EQ6. It's a german company that makes bespoke gears for telescope mounts :-

http://www.gierlinger.cc/

The gear set is not cheap at €299 (£267) but it's still a lot cheaper than buying a whole new EQ6.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Ian on Feb 27, 2010, 14:13:33
which reminds me about the society mount I keep kicking. Do you think they might have a gear for that too?
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Feb 27, 2010, 15:06:14
They make bespoke gears so I am sure they could make a small one for the stepper.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Ian on Feb 27, 2010, 15:28:35
Cool, we have a plan. I'll have a go at getting a stock gear for it first though, might be cheaper than getting one cut.

On a side note, I did some gear cutting at uni using a hobbing machine. Very interesting :)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Feb 28, 2010, 17:57:51
Send him an email and ask - info@gierlinger.cc
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Fay on Feb 28, 2010, 18:24:09
Don't know how you spotted that, Mike, being it is in German!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: doug on Mar 01, 2010, 09:21:06


     Sehr gut, mein freund. 

     Herr Mangeler  :D


     
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Mar 01, 2010, 09:36:21
Quote from: Fay on Feb 28, 2010, 18:24:09
Don't know how you spotted that, Mike, being it is in German!

Extensive searching plus still remembering enough German from when I lived there to get by.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Ian on Mar 01, 2010, 10:14:25
you mean you got beyond "Ein bier bitte?" I didn't...
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Rick on Mar 01, 2010, 12:12:36
Ein?!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Ian on Mar 01, 2010, 12:35:46
yup. Never got any further. Ordering a round for team of bricklayers I was working with was a little tedious.

Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte. Ein bier bitte.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: MarkS on Mar 01, 2010, 14:07:15

Elf bier bitte!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Mar 01, 2010, 16:18:49
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/4205150936_0d32d13a4d.jpg)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Mar 08, 2010, 15:08:54
Any luck Ian ?
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Mar 08, 2010, 15:15:51
Did anyone check out what this guy makes by the way?

Look at this - http://www.gierlinger.cc/montierungsbau.htm
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: mickw on Mar 08, 2010, 15:36:59
Now that is impressive...................
Very impressive  :o
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Rick on Mar 08, 2010, 16:35:44
Serious piece of kit, that. ;)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Mar 12, 2010, 17:53:37
OK I have now ordered a replacement gear and worm set for my EQ6. Only thing is I have to wait for 2.5 months for them to be made and delivered !!!   :o
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Apr 30, 2010, 07:46:56
Well that was a lot quicker than he told me! My gears are now ready :D Woohoo !!!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on May 11, 2010, 12:51:51
A shop in Canada is also now stocking EQ6 and other skywatcher spares :-

http://www.kwtelescope.com/

Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 01, 2010, 14:09:29
New gear and worm arrived from Germany today. With a bit of luck i might have time before Friday to fit it to the mount.

:D
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 03, 2010, 22:02:33
Shock! Horror !!   :surprised:

Fitted the new gear and worm tonight and after about a year hiatus my mount is now back up and (apparently) running fine. Not tested it with a load yet but slewing it seems fine and smooth with the new gears in. I am about to take everything out into the garden to give it a load test and see if it slews and tracks with a load. If everything is running fine then i'll be bringing it all along to the uDSC this weekend and (weather permitting) hopefully getting some images for the first time in about 2 years.   :D
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: RobertM on Jun 03, 2010, 22:35:33
That's great news Mike, the weather is looking really good so hopefully everything will come together for the w/e.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: MarkS on Jun 03, 2010, 22:35:41
Cool - it'll be so good to see you imaging again!!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 04, 2010, 00:22:12
Test image. Clear filter. M57. 5 mins single frame. Binned 2x2. Rough focus just to test guiding. All seems fine after 5 mins. Though i'm getting amp glow like the cooler isn't on.

Overall - Chuffed :D

(http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/Images/CCDImage35.jpg)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 04, 2010, 09:34:14
Is there a setting in MaximDL 5 that turns the cooler on and off on the SXV-H9? I never had amp glow using MaximDL 4.

I thought the cooler on the SXV cameras were on all the time.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: RobertM on Jun 04, 2010, 09:59:46
No there isn't an option, the cooler is on all the time. 
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Jun 04, 2010, 11:07:14
yay your up and running again
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 04, 2010, 15:21:12
Quote from: RobertM on Jun 04, 2010, 09:59:46
No there isn't an option, the cooler is on all the time. 

Weird the image appears to be showing amp glow then.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 04, 2010, 15:21:45
Quote from: Space Dog on Jun 04, 2010, 11:07:14
yay your up and running again

YAY!!  \o/

:D
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 06, 2010, 15:51:49
Although my mount is now working perfectly again. A problem has now arisen on the camera. s you can see in the test images above there is a gue patch of amp glow in the top left. At uDSC this was very prevalent, especially on images of 5 minutes exposure. Clearly there is a problem with the cooling circuit.

I am hoping this can be fixed.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: mickw on Jun 06, 2010, 16:14:26
How did images from Rother Valley compare with the M57 regarding the amp glow ?
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 06, 2010, 18:36:08
The same.

I've sent an email to Terry at Starlight and he says it sounds like the amplifier circuit. He said if I sent it to him he will see if he can fix it. I really hope he can, I can't afford to splash out £1800 on another one.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: RobertM on Jun 06, 2010, 22:21:36
I've found that Terry usually fixes his cameras for free but whatever happens you're garanteed excellent service, quick turnaround and the minimum of cost.  He seems to be online and available all weekend too...

Hopefully it's something that's simple to fix.

Robert

Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 07, 2010, 17:37:04
Camera sent to Terry today. Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 09, 2010, 19:12:18
Well I am now a happy bunny :D

Terry has just emailed me to say the fault has been fixed and he has sent the camera back to me today.

Phew!!

(http://www.bunnyrabbit.com/equipmentpix/HappyBunny-pinkbkgd.jpg)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: PhilB on Jun 09, 2010, 19:48:15
Wow, that was quick.

So, with luck, on Friday you'll be able to show us how imaging is really done?

Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 09, 2010, 19:54:59
Indeed that might just happen (weather permitting).
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: PhilB on Jun 09, 2010, 19:56:47
It's looking very promising, Mike. Metcheck says "partial cloud". May be a good evening, sky wise!
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Tony G on Jun 09, 2010, 20:20:27
This Terry bloke sound pretty handy.
Would he be able to fix my Flymo.............and a toaster. :-?

Tony G
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Ian on Jun 09, 2010, 20:46:39
why stop there Tony? He might be able help with your velcro fetish too.
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Mike on Jun 10, 2010, 08:43:53
The camera was delivered back to me this morning. What a fantastic service.

Now all I need is a clear sky :)
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Jun 10, 2010, 09:05:07
You should get some this weekend.  Repairs do not have the affect of new kit on clouds.

Chris
Title: Re: Finally !!!!
Post by: MarkS on Jun 10, 2010, 13:26:35

Really pleased to hear it Mike.