39 replies to this topic

[Kruegon]

Well after everything I went through to fix them both, they had better work lol.

Im beginning to think you and I are the only people that post here now.

[MistrBadgr]

There are others.  It is just slow.  The forum gets a lot of visitors looking at old posts.  I would definitely like to increase the number of people posting.  Almost all of the people who sign up, we get an average of about one per day, do not ever post.  I added the introductions and welcomes section, hoping this would encourage people to break the ice and post something, but it has not been a great success so far.

 

I monitor the board several times a day to see if anyone has a question.  Sometimes I get a private message instead of a post.

[Kruegon]

Well crap. Finally got to take the 60 out to play and the skipping is back. Tested fine inside after the last tear-down. No clue what's causing it.

[MistrBadgr]

Looking back at the posts in this string, I think I found the culprit to your problem.  I referred to it as an easy fix!........Sorry about that!

 

Maybe one of the wires slipped back into a position where it could be tugged on or something similar.

 

Bill

[Kruegon]

And.... no. Took it out the other night to test it and the skipping is back. Brought it back in and set it off to the side.

Tried to set my laptop up to run it by the #506 cable. When I did the alignment, no issues. Ticking me off now. But I have an idea of what may be part of the issue. I'll test the theory in a few days when I have more time to tear it apart again.

[MistrBadgr]

I will not comment, for fear of messing up your playhouse!

 

Bill

[Kruegon]

I can only think of one other option. Perhaps there is not enough tension between the motor and the Ra drive gear.

[MistrBadgr]

If it is like the DS mounts, there is a SS leaf spring that provides the force to keep the gear train and the main gear touching.  If that spring were to loose its strength over time, the gears might not make good contact enough to drive the mount.  On the DS mount, there is normally a popping sound as the drive worm gear pops over the big bull gear.

 

Bill

[Kruegon]

No, by all means, comment. I'm up for any advice now. I'm beginning to think I have a circuit board issue also. My ETX-80 runs fine on the 494, the 497EP, the 494/506 combo, and the 497EP/505 combo. The ETX-60 only works on it's 494. No go on the 506 cable. When using the 497EP, it elevates properly during alignment, but it just runs continuous circles on the azimuth. Maybe I should just sell the ETX-60 at this point and be happy with my ETX-80.

[MistrBadgr]

Either sell the ETX 60 or just use it on the 494 handset.

[Kruegon]

I was talking to my wife last night about that. I'm going to double check one last thing, if that doesn't fix it, I'm selling it. It works, just not perfectly.

[MistrBadgr]

That is good, if it is usable and the defect does not irritate too much.

[Kruegon]

If the Ra "skip" is what I think now, it's a very quick fix. The Aux port not working annoys me, but let's be real, how many people are really going to control a 60mm short tube by computer?

[MistrBadgr]

When that scope was built, I am not sure if very many people were thinking about controlling any scope with a computer.

[Kruegon]

The ETX-60? According to its Autostar, it's an 07 model. I have a MUCH older DS-114 And it's capable of being controlled by computer. Even the interface is antiquated. Serial connections are old by all standards lol.

[MistrBadgr]

If it is a 2007 model, then the 497 handsets should work with it.  They have a socket for connection to a computer and you should not need the aux port on the mount.  It will still require a serial connection to a 497 handset.

I have never used a computer hooked up to any of the AutoStar mounts and handsets, so I have no personal experience.  However, they are supposed to work.

 

Bill

[Kruegon]

Should, yes. Does not. When attempting to use the 497EP, the Dec elevates to the correct height and stops. The Ra, however, just runs and runs. After two full circles, I cut it off.

[MistrBadgr]

If you could run fast enough around the scope, that would give you a good panorama of the sky!

[Kruegon]

That is quite true, but makes it dang hard to study anything lol.

[MistrBadgr]

You would definitely need to be a fast study!