Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Reflectors Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 polaristom member Reged: 12/17/07 Posts: 53 Loc: Alaska Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question       #2622001 - 09/03/08 05:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Last year everything worked just fine. The first (and second) time I set up the scope this year I can't get the Sky Tracker to "go-to" properly. I have it set to a two star alignment. After entering the date, I center Polaris, and push enter. Then center Vega and push enter again. The read-out shows M31, I move the cursor under the 3 and change it to a 1, then under the 1 and change it to a 3, press enter and is shows M13.... From Vega this should be a very small scope movement to get to. This is when things go bad. I push the Go-To button and it slews in RA to about the correct angle but the DEC just keeps going to the horizon. I stop it prior to it being horizontal. What am I doing wrong? Any ideas or comments. Please no comments like sell the scope, shot the scope, throw the scope.... I really do like it, and are more interested in the tracking than the actual go to capabilities. Thanks in advanced, Tom -------------------- 18" Starmaster Edited by polaristom (09/03/08 05:55 PM) Post Extras:       Scott Rose member Reged: 04/20/08 Posts: 92 Loc: beachwood ohio Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: polaristom]       #2622024 - 09/03/08 06:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Have you called Rick at Starmaster. I am considering getting a scope from him and he is really helpful and knowledgeable. Post Extras:       Jarad Post Laureate Reged: 04/28/03 Posts: 3858 Loc: Atlanta, GA Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: Scott Rose]       #2622109 - 09/03/08 07:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My bet would be the DSC wire connector. The phone jacks have a little plastic clip that tends to get bent down, and they lose connection. Try bending the little plastic clip out a bit on the ALT DSC jack, and see if that fixes it. While you're at it, bend them all out just a bit to make sure they are making good contact. Jarad -------------------- Post Extras:       mv1000 super member Reged: 05/27/07 Posts: 114 Loc: WI Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: Jarad]       #2622137 - 09/03/08 07:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I know you've probably attempted this, but I'll ask anyways. Have you tried other alignment stars? I try to stick with stars about 90 degrees in azimuth from Polaris. Lately thats been Altair or Arcturus. Just something to try if the above idea isn't it. -------------------- Starmaster 14.5 Hybrid/Sky Tracker TV 60 Post Extras:       mv1000 super member Reged: 05/27/07 Posts: 114 Loc: WI Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: mv1000]       #2622152 - 09/03/08 07:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I noticed one more thing in your discription. After the alignment and it shows M31, are you pushing the up or down buttons to change to dob mode? -------------------- Starmaster 14.5 Hybrid/Sky Tracker TV 60 Post Extras:       polaristom member Reged: 12/17/07 Posts: 53 Loc: Alaska Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: mv1000]       #2623942 - 09/04/08 04:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hello All, I have talked to Rick about other things but not yet about this issue, and yes he is very helpful and a nice guy. That will be my next direction. I haven't tried bending the plastic clips, but I know what you are talking about. I'll try that the next clear night. Yes, I did try other alignment stars (like you said, Altair), still no luck. I'm not too sure what you mean "change to dob mode", but this sounds interesting and may be the cause. Don't tell me I need to get out the instructions. Good idea, I'll look into this. Thanks everyone for the responses. Tom -------------------- 18" Starmaster Post Extras:       mv1000 super member Reged: 05/27/07 Posts: 114 Loc: WI Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: polaristom]       #2625002 - 09/05/08 06:59 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Tom, The moment M 31 shows on the screen, thats when you push the up button to change from RA and DEC to degrees from the target. Which would automatically be M 31. -------------------- Starmaster 14.5 Hybrid/Sky Tracker TV 60 Post Extras:       Vic Menard Carpal Tunnel Reged: 07/21/04 Posts: 2681 Loc: Bradenton, FL Re: Starmaster - Sky Tracker Question [Re: polaristom]       #2625168 - 09/05/08 09:26 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I would suspect a connection failure. The multi-conductor pass-throughs on the stainless steel plate mounted on the side of the rocker box are a fairly common source of failure. If the communication link between the SkyCommander and the SkyTracker is intermittent or open, the SkyTracker will try to "zero" the SkyCommander, sending the scope on a wild ride! How old is your StarMaster, in particular--the SkyCommander/SkyTracker electronics and wiring? That said, I would also want to verify that the SkyCommander is actually getting information from the encoders. After you've done a two-star alignment, I suggest you select an object that you know (reasonably well) where it is (and that it's currently visible) and, with the readout showing the altitude and azimuth difference, try manually moving the scope to the object, and watch the display to verify that altitude and azimuth are zeroing as you close in. If they're not (or if one of them isn't)--you need to find out why before you attempt a GoTo command. -------------------- Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 14 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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