kwits
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Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
#2782319 - 12/02/08 02:09 PM
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Good Day,
I would be interested to hear from anyone that has used their Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe, equatorial mount for astrophotophy. Since the Orion no longer sales the AccuTrack Dual-Axis drive, I have been searching for ways to automate RA and Dec tracking of celestial objects. JIMSMobile does sale a separate stepper motor for both axis but I still need a logic board to accurately interrogate and compensate for the mechanical movements.
Regards,
Keith
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
Loc: Spain, Pamplona
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2782365 - 12/02/08 02:30 PM
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Hi Keith,
First of all welcome on board, this place is very
nice to ask questions and/or reply to them.
You might be interested in this particular
stepper controller.
It is cheap and can be controlled directly via USB
from your PC.
I hope to setup an electric focusser with it in the
future but I think it could do the trick
for you!
Edited by Mert (12/02/08 02:32 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2783384 - 12/03/08 01:08 AM
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Thank you very much for your post and idea for a stepper motor controller. I noticed that you recommended the Stepper Bee + instead of its smaller equivalent. Is there a reason?
Regards,
Keith
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
Loc: Spain, Pamplona
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2784001 - 12/03/08 12:18 PM
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Hi Keith,
No specific reason, just thought that with a little bit
more power available directly from the driver board,
you only need to add some power-supply and done.
The smaller version looks great as well, very likely
in short I'll get one to see what I can build with
it.
Most of these nice gadgets are quit hard to get here
where I live. 
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2784128 - 12/03/08 01:26 PM
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Mert,
Here is a reply from a question that I posted PC-Control, the UK company that sales the Stepper Bee +.
Hello Keith,
I don't have any specific feedback about the pro's and cons of using the stepper bee + for this type of application but I can tell you that there have been quite a few who have used it as you described. One customer has used it to create a geo-stationary (if thats the right word) system to compensate for the earth's rotation, while others have used it to "go to" specific areas of the sky. Unfortunately I am not an astronomer but the relevant requirements of any such system such as speed , accuracy, resolution etc... seem to be more to do with the choice of stepper motors and how they are geared rather than the steppr bee+. As long as the motors are 4-phase unipolar (and most are) then the stepper bee + should handle them comfortably.
best regards
Fiona
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chboss
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/24/08
Loc: Zurich Switzerland
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2784661 - 12/03/08 04:49 PM
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Hi Keith
An astronomical stepper controller with all features needed for astro photography is the Little Foot project.
It can be set up by a PC tool for any mount.
Either you buy a finished controller or you solder it together by yourself.
Here is the link:
http://littlefoot-vp.rajiva.de/
I am using the bigger Little Foot Elegance which is another step up including Goto directly from the hand controller.
Cheers
Chris
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2784834 - 12/03/08 06:11 PM
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Hi Keith,
By the reply of the company that sells these controllers
it is clear that it can be done.
Best thing it is cheap and comunicates over USB.
Only software necesary to write is some interface between
EQMOD and the controller, shouldn't be too difficult.
You might as well check this controller, seems to be almost the same.
Best thing if you go for the EQMOD route, everything is
already up and running for many many people!
Check the Y!EQMOD group, you may find that interesting!
Good luck,
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2785138 - 12/03/08 09:05 PM
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I learned today that the Dual-axis drive designed for the Celestron CG-4 mount maybe compatible with the Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2785468 - 12/04/08 12:42 AM
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Good Day,
I went to the ASPCOM website and learned more about EQMOD, an open source program. Unfortunately, it appears that my equatorial mount (SkyView EQ Deluxe) is not supported. I guess the technology of that era (about 5 years ago) is not compatible. Can you explain why? Is it because this mounting configuration did not support an USB port? Thank you for your post under this discussion thread.
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2785574 - 12/04/08 03:34 AM
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Hi Keith,
There is a new development going on, where non-standard
gear ratios can be configured in the setup.
There are several mounts supported right now because the
correct gear ratio has been taken into account for so
Sidereal is Sidereal and the goto's are precise!
The new version could open up the way for you, it is
still not tested though but looks promising!
USB is just a physical way to connect a PC to something
else, in this case the mount, there are also USB-RS232
converters.
Regards,
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2786123 - 12/04/08 12:42 PM
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Mert,
Please elaborate more on your experiences with EQMOD and the equatorial mount configuration that you are using. Do you use a stepper controller board to communicate with your dual-axis drives? How does EQMOD interface with this setup? What are your hardware requirements?
Thanks,
Keith
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
Loc: Spain, Pamplona
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2786700 - 12/04/08 05:05 PM
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Hi Keith,
I did buy an already made EQ6 GOTO mount, which in itself
is quit heavy.
It contains 2 steppers plus their gears and worms on
each axis.
Furthermore, inside the head you have the electronics
controller board which in itself is a stepper controller
plus some intelligent hardware to connect the Handcontroller
and do goto's etc.
EQMOD is a software solution which bypasses the
handcontroller using either a home made TTL-RS232 converter
or a ready made EQDIRECT module.
You can join the Y!EQMOD group and see for yourself, all
software free and very good tools there!
It enables you to connect your mount to a PC and control
it via EQMOD/ASCOM with a planetary software program.
Since Chris is busy developing more options to configure
EQMOD not only to standard mounts but also allowing for
different gear-sets, this opens up a whole new world
for many setup's.
Oh and last but not least, to me it works very good,
and the goto's are also spot on!
Guiding done with pulseguide through ASCOM using
Metaguide, great stuff all together.
I hope that answers more or less what you asked?
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2786954 - 12/04/08 07:40 PM
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Quote:
Good Day,
I went to the ASPCOM website and learned more about EQMOD, an open source program. Unfortunately, it appears that my equatorial mount (SkyView EQ Deluxe) is not supported. I guess the technology of that era (about 5 years ago) is not compatible. Can you explain why? Is it because this mounting configuration did not support an USB port? Thank you for your post under this discussion thread.
Why? For EQMOD to work, there must be a motor control board present in the mount. Modern go-to capable Syntas have that. Old dual axis drive Syntas do not. The way EQMOD works is that it runs on your PC as an ASCOM driver and works in conjunction with a planetarium program--Cartes du Ciel, Starry Night, etc. You connect the PC to the mount via a standard serial cable and a small level converter module (you can buy from Shoestring Astronomy). The PC takes the place of the HC, and the combo of EQMOD and a planetarium basically brings more user friendly, more feature laden, and in some ways more accurate mount operation.
Use EQMOD and you will never want to use the SynScan HC again. 
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: Mert]
#2787459 - 12/05/08 02:18 AM Attachment (38 downloads)
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Mert,
I hope you doing well and thank you sincerely for enlightening me on EQMOD. This is what I understand so far:
1. Install the ASCOM Platform software
2. Install the EQMOD driver software
3. Install the VIC driver software
4. Acquire a TTL-RS232 converter cable (TTL-232R)
5. Acquire RA and DEC motor drives for dual-axis operation
Here is my question. How would I interface the cable from my laptop to the motor drives? Would I need a separate cable for each drive? What is the interface at the drive end? Can you share any pictures of your setup?
Best Regards,
Keith
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Mert
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/31/05
Loc: Spain, Pamplona
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2787485 - 12/05/08 03:29 AM
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Keith,
From what I understand from the Celestron site on these
motors you showed, they are just plain DC motors!
With this you won't have Goto capability without very
good encoders on the axis.
This goes out of the scope of EQMOD!
As I mentioned earlier, at the scope or motor side
of the story, in the EQ6 I have, you find the motor-
controller board that controls both steppers.
So 1 cable goes into the controller board, each motor
receives commands via the serial link and the planatarium
SW as Rod mentioned gives you the capability to point
some object on the screen and activate the corresponding
goto.
In every case, EQMOD uses ringcounters to keep track of
the worm position ( by counting steps ) so it doesn't need
encoders for that purpose.
Regards,
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rmollise
Postmaster
Reged: 07/06/07
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2787737 - 12/05/08 09:54 AM
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Quote:
Mert,
I hope you doing well and thank you sincerely for enlightening me on EQMOD. This is what I understand so far:
1. Install the ASCOM Platform software
2. Install the EQMOD driver software
3. Install the VIC driver software
4. Acquire a TTL-RS232 converter cable (TTL-232R)
5. Acquire RA and DEC motor drives for dual-axis operation
Here is my question. How would I interface the cable from my laptop to the motor drives? Would I need a separate cable for each drive? What is the interface at the drive end? Can you share any pictures of your setup?
Best Regards,
Keith
Did you read my post? THIS WILL NOT WORK. These dual axis motors are not a go-to system, do not have a motor contol board, and don't provide a serial interface for the mount. You CAN autoguide the mount using these motors with a mod kit from Shoestring Astronomy, though. NO go-to, though.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: rmollise]
#2794709 - 12/08/08 10:54 PM
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Good Day,
With Celestron's CELE228, dual-axis stepper motors and its controller interface, is there anyway to leverage the features from EQMOD in support of my equatorial mount type? You mentioned encoders before. I learned recently that there is a tool called Argo Navis made by Wildcard Innovations that has an encoder kit for their auto-find device. Could this encorder for DEC and RA suffice? What do you recommend for my setup?
Regards,
Keith
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2795303 - 12/09/08 11:53 AM
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Since you're already considering fairly extensive work to get this mount to do what you want, I suggest considering putting a Meade motor system on it.
The modular Meade DC servo motors are ideal for retrofits, since they come complete in an enclosed case and already feature digital control, gearing, and encoders, and are innately autostar compatible. The DH, DS, or LXD 75 motors should work fine assuming you solve any clearance issues when you do the conversion.
this way you spend your time integrating finished modules..esssentially fabricating motor mounts and figuring out shaft couplers, and then you're done.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2795425 - 12/09/08 12:50 PM
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Good Day,
I would consider the Meade option but based upon my research with this company, none of their drives are compatible with my SkyView EQ Deluxe, mount configuration.
What are my minimal prerequisites for EQMOD given my hardware environment? I was told that I could use PC Control's, Stepper Bee+ (http://www.pc-control.co.uk/stepperbee_plus_info.htm) as a dual-axis controller that I could wire to my DC motors. If this being said, would this configuration make me compatible with EQMOD using a EQDIR connection with this said controller interface?
Regards,
Keith
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2795473 - 12/09/08 01:09 PM
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here's a close relative of your mount, converted to Meade Drive. I'm going to do the same thing with my Skyview. He's got a lathe and has done some really nice motor mounts...I'm going with angle brackets but the outcome should be the same.
Meade drive
Edited by MtnGoat (12/09/08 01:10 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2795530 - 12/09/08 01:30 PM
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Your photographs are most impressive and detailed! Unfortunately, I do not have any strong mechanical skills and do not know anyone to help me modify my mount. I come from an electronics and IT background. I always believe there there is a workaround for every problem and I do not usually except, "No" for an answer!
Keith
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2796120 - 12/09/08 06:29 PM
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Good Day,
Are you sure that this auto-axis drive package is not compatible with EQMOD using an EQDIR interface cable? If not, what additional hardware is required? Based upon my understanding, EQMOD solves the problem traditionally faced with GEMs with the need of optical encoders. The below drive package comes with a manual controller interface; can this interface be connected through a TTL-RS232 cable for communication with EQMOD under the ASCOM platform?
Celestron Motor Drive Dual Axis Model (CG-4 Mount)
Item# CELE228
This dual axis motor drive, with drive corrector capabilities, is designed for Celestron's CG-4 mounts for tracking in RA and allows movement in DEC. They precisely control the telescope's tracking speed during long, timed exposures of celestial objects, producing the best possible image sharpness. Precision drive correctors are a must for those with a serious interest in astrophotography or CCD imaging. Four speeds are available -- 1x (sidereal), 2x for guiding, 4x, and 8x for centering.
This precision, state-of-the-art DC motor drive operates from 4 D-cell batteries (user supplied). The hand controller module is very compact and fits easily in the palm of your hand. Motors for both axes are included, along with brackets, clutches and hardware.
Regards,
Keith
Edited by kwits (12/09/08 09:00 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2798470 - 12/10/08 10:41 PM
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Hello,
You mentioned the idea of retrofitting the Meade product line of motors: DH, DS, LXD75. However, I cannot find any of these motors sold separately from their respective mounts. Do you have a link?
Thank you,
Keith
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: rmollise]
#2798716 - 12/11/08 02:08 AM
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Mert,
I believe I am finally beginning to understand one of your statements that the DC motors for DEC and RA dual-axis support from Celestron (#CELE228) will not interface with a stepper controller because they are NOT stepper motors. Is this assumption correct?
Regards,
Keith
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2799821 - 12/11/08 04:23 PM
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There's one on Ebay right now.
go there and search
"MEADE DS 492 TELESCOPE MOTOR DRIVE GO TO KIT w/ 497"
Telescope warehouse had some DS kits last spring for 60 bucks, no controller. the ebay link above is the works plus the advanced 497 handset.
You'll have to dig around a bit to find motors by themselves, but they are out there. Or haunt Craigslist and snipe a deal on a DS series scope or the Meade 4504 reflector which is where I got my DH motors.
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Mert
Post Laureate
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2799950 - 12/11/08 05:35 PM
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Hi Keith,
Sorry I wass off thread but now i'm back again.
Saw you asked on the EQMOD forum as well :-)
The DC motors will not interface with a stepper controller
since they do not step or have discrete movements.
They run faster with more voltage and that's about it.
If you want to use DC-motors like servo-motors, then you
need to attach encoders as well, which apart from costly
also complicates the whole thing.
Hope that answers your question.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2800201 - 12/11/08 07:52 PM
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Good Day,
I just purchased from ebay last night a, Meade 492 DS Drive Kit with a 429 hand controller for less than $60.00; it is brand new, still within its package. The seller claims that it is GoTo upgradeable. However, I am not quite sure that that means. I suppose its description inferred the use of a AutoStar 495 or 497. I hope that I will be able to retrofit my GEM to accommodate this stepper motor design but also know, I will need a stepper controller and TTL-RS232 converter cable.
Best Regards,
Keith
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2800386 - 12/11/08 09:25 PM
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i believe you mean a 492 handset, and I think this is the manual slewing handset. no database, arrow keys and speeds and thats about it.
the connector panel all the motors plug into will accept either the 495 or 497, I recommend just jumping right to the 497 for its full numerical keypad which really speeds things up, as well as it's much larger database.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2800404 - 12/11/08 09:38 PM
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But do I really need to go the route of the 497 controller when I can use EQMOD with a wireless USB hub communicating with my remote stepper controller, connecting in my drive motors?
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2801199 - 12/12/08 11:56 AM
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On that one, you're out of my range. The motors you purchased are not stepper motors, they are geared down DC servo motors with encoders mounted on the shafts. As far as I know, they do not use stepper control functions and are serially controlled via a Meade serial protocol, which may be industry standard for serial commands but I'm pretty sure is not a stepper interface.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2801301 - 12/12/08 01:13 PM
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This is a big surprise to me! Are you saying I need a servo controller instead of a stepper controller? Should I return my order in your opinion? Is there a better option available? I heard that the Meade 492 DS drive system was a high-precision setup from my GEM that could be retrofitted for GoTo operation. Is this assumption correct?
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2801343 - 12/12/08 01:39 PM
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I hope someone else will chime in here, but I believe your statement is correct...you need the servo controller system compatible with meade serial protocol. These are not just motors, inside the case is a DC motor control board and serial interface to actually run the motor. Whatever controller there is sends the commands, and then the motor control board executes them.
If you already intended to use DS motors you already decided you could mechanically interface them, so all we're talking about is one of the Meade handsets for control vs the stepper controllers. Me, I'd go through with the order and just search for a used 497. Cut rate option is a $50 495 new from Telescope Warehouse. You can still change gear ratios in the 495, and that is the only crucial thing you need to make this mount work with those motors and a meade handset.
In my opinion, you are still on the road for the simplest GOTO retrofit.
Edited by MtnGoat (12/12/08 01:40 PM)
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2801362 - 12/12/08 01:45 PM
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Ok, I just did a bit of digging and need to make a small revision. What you want is the 494 handset as the cheap option, and the 497 as the better one. (The 497 is the lastest upgrade of the 495).
Here's the lineup..
494 - Full Goto basic handset, scroll keys for selecting parameters, no keypad, limited database (but you can still add objects.) This one comes with the baseline ETX models I believe. Telescope Warehouse has new ones. The only question with this model is, does the list of mounts include a GEM, since all ETX's are fork mount.
495- Old top of the line handset with large library and full numeric keypad
497 - current top of the line handset with large library and full numeric keypad
Edited by MtnGoat (12/12/08 01:46 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2801976 - 12/12/08 08:31 PM
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Okay, I have decided to purchase a Meade 497 AutoStar controller for $75.00. Is this a good price and should it be programmed for a GEM? Does the AutoStar suffice as a servo controller or do I need a separate device?
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2802092 - 12/12/08 10:01 PM
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that is a good price
it has multiple scopes in it and will have a GEM of the LXD55/75 type, which will work fine.
the autostar handset is the complete controller package.
you will plug the motors into a connector panel and the handset as well, thats about it, except for figuring out your gear ratios and mounting up the motors
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2802106 - 12/12/08 10:11 PM
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Have you heard of AutoStar Suite? If so, do you know where to purchase this product? It would appear that this software package drives the AutoStar 497.
http://www.meade.com/autostar/as_suite.html
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2802241 - 12/12/08 11:26 PM
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i believe you just download it for free. And it comes with the DSI imagers.
to drive the 497, you will also need a serial port on your laptop and the correct cable assembly, which I believe is a #502 but don't take that for granted, look it up.
Also, go to Weasner's site and start reading up on autostar. and be sure to dig around at the site I presented, he has more examples of Meade conversions and a page on how to figure out your new gear ratio.
Edited by MtnGoat (12/12/08 11:28 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2806592 - 12/15/08 01:35 PM
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Is an AutoStar #505 cable the same as a standard, RS232 to USB, TTL converter?
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie no more
Reged: 04/30/03
Loc: NE Ohio
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2806645 - 12/15/08 02:01 PM
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Quote:
Is an AutoStar #505 cable the same as a standard, RS232 to USB, TTL converter?
It is merely a cable. It can be used to connect an Autostar #495/497 to a PC or laptop RS-232 compatible serial port.
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2806880 - 12/15/08 04:00 PM
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Quote:
Is an AutoStar #505 cable the same as a standard, RS232 to USB, TTL converter?
I don't think it has any USB functionality at all. It is a serial cable with the phone jack style connector on one end and a 7 pin standard serial D-SUB on the other. To USB it, you'll still need a serial-USB converter.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2806956 - 12/15/08 04:47 PM
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I plan to use a Wireless USB hub as a communications link between my AutoStar 497 at the telescope end to my PC. I am also looking for a USB amplifier that can extend the range beyond the standard 30 feet limit.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2827605 - 12/27/08 02:04 PM
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I hope everyone has had a safe and blessed, Merry Christmas this year and thank you sincerely for all of your feedback on this discussion thread.
Well, I finally have all of my hardware together now since I am finally back home from a 4 month, work assignment. I have a question about configuring the AutoStar 497 for my SkyView EQ Deluxe GEM. There are several options listed for the LXD55/75 but I am unsure of the best for my GEM's configuration using the 492 DS drive system. Here are the options listed for the latest firmware load (43Eg):
127 Ac
152 Ac
6 new
8 new
10 New
8 SC
Edited by kwits (12/28/08 02:41 PM)
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2829193 - 12/28/08 03:58 PM
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The only thing that may differ may be aiming restrictions for the various sizes of OTA's. Since you're running an entirely different GEM, I don't think it matters much. Just pick one and start from there.
One thing I did need to do in addition to gear ratio changes to get the LXD parameters to drive my 4504 mount was to reverse the polarity of one of the gear ratios, I think it was the RA drive.
First order of bidness...figure out how to get those motors mounted and coupled. After that, sorting out the gear ratios and signs shouldn't be too bad.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2829496 - 12/28/08 07:11 PM
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Thanks for your feedback. I have my AutoStar 497 connected to my laptop's USB port via a RS232 converter adapter; I installed the latest Meade driver to support this connection. I have Meade's AutoStar Suite v5.0 installed and it works great while my AutoStar is connected via its 505 cable but not when emulating a virtual port like COM10. The ASU finds the virtual port with no problem but the Suite throws an error. Have you observed this issue under your setup?
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2830722 - 12/29/08 01:23 PM
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I have had serious issues trying to use virtual ports to get Envisage/Drizzle guiding to interface to Autostar Suite for guiding. I have no problem at all connecting to the scope from the suite, but I have not yet been successful in getting Envisage to connect. I've tried numerous COM ports, virtual ports, and internal IP sockets....nothing works.
Edited by MtnGoat (12/29/08 01:23 PM)
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: MtnGoat]
#2830789 - 12/29/08 02:00 PM
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I use Windows XP Professional (SP-3) on my laptop and the Meade Serial to USB driver is installed with no flagged conditions as COM10. It does not make any sense for the ASU to auto-detect this port with no problem while the Suite throws an error. I have sent an email to Meade on this issue.
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2830957 - 12/29/08 03:04 PM
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I just found a fix for using the AutoStar 497 with AutoStar Suite via a USB connection by setting the telescope protocol for Network. Read this website for details!
http://www.weasner.com/etx/autostar/2008/remote.html
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kwits
member
Reged: 12/02/08
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2881004 - 01/22/09 12:09 PM
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I hope you are well. Right before I was able to bring my new GEM mod online, I noticed that I had significant damage to my RA gear and minor damage to my DEC gear. Evidently, during my trial run, the worm gear jumped its teeth alignment with its respective round gear. I am not sure what caused this failure. I greased the gear assemblies with lithium grease. Evidently, when I reassembled the worm gear box and mounted my drive assembly, the teeth were not in proper alignment or maybe there was a balancing issue. My GEM is at a machinist shop now for assessment. I am planning on having the round gears turned 180 degrees so the damaged area will most likely not be used. Another option is to repair the gears which I believe will be expensive if I cannot replace them entirely from a vendor.
1. Have you observed this issue under your previous setup?
2. Do you know how many teeth are for the DEC and RA round gears?
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MtnGoat
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/18/07
Loc: Columbia Gorge, WA
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Re: Orion SkyView EQ Deluxe for astrophotography
[Re: kwits]
#2944696 - 02/23/09 12:05 PM
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Just refound the thread.
I finally got my mount and am working on the GOTO as of last night. I had to remove the DEC assembly as it was binding...the DEC head would not turn relative to the DEC gear.
The usual chinese finger puzzle of getting these things apart...there is a hex screw next to the DEC clutch knob that you remove, to get access to another set screw on the inner collar. You need to rotate the head while peeking through the hole to find the second screw. Undo this screw, then put the outer one back in and use it to fix the inner collar in place. At this point the dec head unscrews, shaft and all, from the end collar.
Turned out a piece of grit had snuck into the *very* closely machined bearing surfaces between shaft and gear. It gouged up the gear bearing surface a bit in addition to locking it in place. I hit it with some 2000 grit emery paper, then retouched the inner and outer gear bearing surfaces.
Everything came out nice and smooth, they really did a pretty nice job of close tolerances on this, when the shaft is in place there is no sideplay or wiggle that I can see, very nice for non ball bearing bushing style bearings. I am also impressed by the nice large diameter worms.
My other issue is someone was reefing too hard on the worm screw locking bolts and pretty much tore through the thin metal in the mount holes. They're supposed to be slots to allow moving the worm block in and out a bit, mine are huge holes with barely enough left to even have enough for the bolts to tighten on. I'm fabricating a small piece of aluminum to redo the mounting plate.
I counted teeth on the DEC axis and came up with 120 teeth. haven't done the RA yet, I suspect it is 144 teeth but read somewhere it was 142. Not sure I believe that, it's an odd number in a world of standardized gears for this use, I suspect someone counted wrong.
You shouldn't need a machinist to turn the gear around for you, it spins inside the housing relative to everything when the worm block is removed. You can just turn it around to the good side yourself, and this should work just fine since the DEC axis will always remain within 90 degrees of where it starts at German North/home.
Edited by MtnGoat (02/23/09 12:08 PM)
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