Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Technical => Topic started by: Kenny on Dec 19, 2014, 17:00:27

Title: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Kenny on Dec 19, 2014, 17:00:27
I'm really having trouble trying to align the OAS HEQ5. I've got the scope roughly polar aligned and it's in the home position (scope pointing at the pole star (not that I can see that right now). I've chosen 2 star alignment. 1st star - Vega. Within 1 second of it starting to slew towards Vega it stops and completely resets the Synscan so I have to re-enter date, time, location, etc.

Any bright idea? Am I missing a crucial step or is something not working as it should?
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: MarkS on Dec 19, 2014, 17:31:14
That is typical of a voltage drop during the slew. Check power, leads, connectors.
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: MarkH on Dec 19, 2014, 17:36:13
This happens with my Meade gear sometimes, glad I'm not the only one.
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Kenny on Dec 19, 2014, 17:41:54
Quote from: MarkS on Dec 19, 2014, 17:31:14
That is typical of a voltage drop during the slew. Check power, leads, connectors.

Thanks Mark. Problem solved. I was powering from a mains charger. I switched to the battery and it's all working fine.
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Carole on Dec 20, 2014, 17:27:34
Welcome to the trials of imaging Kenny, this is the first of many.   :cheesy: :cheesy:

But when that first LX image hits the PC it will all have been worth it.

Carole

Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Kenny on Dec 21, 2014, 09:26:11
Ha ha. Yes. It's been a sharp learning curve, both the trials/tribulations and the rewards. :)
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Mike on Dec 21, 2014, 16:06:04
You have an LX?
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Kenny on Dec 21, 2014, 16:38:04
Quote from: Mike on Dec 21, 2014, 16:06:04
You have an LX?

No. A 6" Newt and 8"Dob. It was Mark that mentioned the Meade.

p.s. I had the mains cable set to the wrong voltage. It was fine with tracking but not enough juice to slew. Newbie error.  :oops:
Title: Re: HEQ5 alignment
Post by: Carole on Dec 21, 2014, 17:14:01
QuoteYou have an LX?
Sorry Mike, I confused the issue by referring to Long Exposure as LX.

Carole