iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi All,
I'm still having problems with a secondhand NS11 that I bought some time ago.
The main problem is when doing a GPS Alignment and exhibits the following symptoms:
1) Scope does all the initial movements to locate the upper and lower Dec reference switches and the Alt North Pointing routine.
2) On handset get message saying "GPS Linking...." and then the scope either sits there not being able to link OR it goes off and points to the first alignment star with completely the wrong time and location information and consequently the scope points in completely the wrong
direction. This appears intermittent but it either sits there trying to link indefinitely, or it attempts to align with the wrong info. There appears to be no consistency.
3) I have Mike Swanson's "Nexstar Users Guide" and I guess that it is probably caused by a defective rechargeable battery in the GPS module. From articles on Mike's website it would appear that the battery could either be a Panasonic ML621 or a Panasonic ML2020-H1C (dependent on
age of scope and GPS module fitted). Does anyone know where to get these from in the UK? Or does anyone know of a compatible battery that can be sourced in the UK?
Thanks
Ian
--------------------
Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4195
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Can't help you with finding the correct battery in the UK
Perhaps a watch store or electronics store (like Radio Shack in the US) would have a batterey substitution list
BUT did you power the scope up and LEAVE it powered up for about 2 days before using it...?
Seems I remember reading that over time the batteries will require that length of time to recharge themselves if not used much?
Bob G
--------------------
CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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JShrum
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 734
Loc: Bay City, MI, USA
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I have also read what Bob has and also can't help you with the battery model or where to get it. Here's a quote from just a couple of days ago on the subject. I personally have never had to do this so Your Mileage May Vary.
"It sounds to me like the battery for your GPS is either low or dead. Celestron scopes have a volatile memory for things like time and location info and depend on this battery to keep the info current between uses. Plug your scope in for at least 24-36 hours with the hand control removed. Unless the battery is defective, it should charge right up. I realize your scope is new, but I've heard of this problem with new scopes as well as older ones."
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Jeff Shrum
Bay City, MI
CPC 1100 XLT
WO 2" Crayford 2-speed Focuser
OPT 2" Dielectric Diagonal
Sunset Astronomical Society
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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi Jeff & Bob,
The scope has been out of action for some time now, or rather I have!
I have it on charge now, does anyone know how long the battery should last for between charges?
Regards
Ian
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Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4195
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Again I do not know the answer....BUT I understand
that once charged it will hold its charge without any more action on your part IF you use the scope occasionally..
If you use it once every 2 months or so you really should be ok..... BUT if you only use it that little I'd sell it ..LOL
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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rboe
Numbfinger
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 39739
Loc: Phx, AZ
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As the battery ages the times between charging will get smaller. Which reminds me, time to charge mine too.
I'd go at least two full days on the charger and see what that gets you. Worked for me after a prolonged vacation from the scope.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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rmollise
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 1662
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Quote:
Hi Jeff & Bob,
The scope has been out of action for some time now, or rather I have!
I have it on charge now, does anyone know how long the battery should last for between charges?
Regards
Ian
A couple of months, easily. HOWSOMEEVER...this will NOT prevent you from getting a GPS fix. Even if the battery is dead, you will still be able to get a fix. The battery holds ephemeris data for the GPS constellation in memory. If it is not there, the receiver will randomly listen for SVs, and download a new almanac from the first one it hears. In other words, without the barrery, it may take 3 - 5 minutes to get a fix.
It sounds to me like the receiver is unable to get a fix, period. First thing to check is your location as in...TREES. If you're operating from a tree/house/obstacle heavy area, you may never get a fix.
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Uncle Rod
Watch for Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT--coming in December!
Edited by rmollise (07/24/08 10:14 AM)
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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi Everyone,
Bob - First of all as most of you folks appear to be in the States/Canada may I remind you that if we get 1 night's good skies in the UK every month then we count ourselves lucky! Unfortunately I was laid up for 6 weeks and then in the States on business for 5 weeks, then on family holiday for two weeks, so I guess that the scope has lain dormant for best part of 13 weeks and no I'm not going to sell it, unless I can't get the GPS sorted! LOL
Rod - I do have some trees around although the big one got logged last month, you can only take so much out of the visible part of the sky!!!! The NS11 was set up in the same position as always so if anything the GPS reception should be better than usual, not worse!
I'm now hoping that a good charge should sort it out.
Regards
Ian
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Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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gaz-in
sage
Reged: 12/17/07
Posts: 278
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Hi All,
I had similar problems with my NS8GPS when i first got it. I suspect it had set around quite a while. After leaving it plugged in for several days all was fine. Not sure how the battery charge affects GPS linking but a prolonged time plugged in sure seemed to be what fixed mine.
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 6785
Loc: Beatrice, Nebraska
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Quote:
Hi All,
I'm still having problems with a secondhand NS11 that I bought some time ago.
The main problem is when doing a GPS Alignment and exhibits the following symptoms:
1) Scope does all the initial movements to locate the upper and lower Dec reference switches and the Alt North Pointing routine.
2) On handset get message saying "GPS Linking...." and then the scope either sits there not being able to link OR it goes off and points to the first alignment star with completely the wrong time and location information and consequently the scope points in completely the wrong
direction. This appears intermittent but it either sits there trying to link indefinitely, or it attempts to align with the wrong info. There appears to be no consistency.
3) I have Mike Swanson's "Nexstar Users Guide" and I guess that it is probably caused by a defective rechargeable battery in the GPS module. From articles on Mike's website it would appear that the battery could either be a Panasonic ML621 or a Panasonic ML2020-H1C (dependent on
age of scope and GPS module fitted). Does anyone know where to get these from in the UK? Or does anyone know of a compatible battery that can be sourced in the UK?
Thanks
Ian
The GPS battery is the probable cause, but there are others. Check all the ribbon connectors between the GPS receiver and the rest of the scope. After a long time, these connectors may become loose or oxidized a bit, so you may have to pull them apart and re-connect them to make sure the electrical connection is quite solid. I had this happen with my NexStar 9.25GPS, but it was a quick fix, requiring only pulling the covers off the fork arms and re-seating the connectors. Good luck and clear skies to you.
--------------------
David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
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iandh2010
super member
Reged: 04/24/05
Posts: 140
Loc: England
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Hi Gaz & David,
Thanks for the tips will try the connectors after the battery recharge.
Regards
--------------------
Ian
11" Nexstar GPS
8" LX200
ETX-125
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hobbyking
newbie
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 4
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I have GPS 11 and old hand controller that will not update. So I bought a new one that would (4012). I do not get the GPS in the start up menu only 2 star, 1 star...
I turn on the GPS in the menu but still can not do a GPS alignment. When I plug in my old controller the GPS works it just ver. 2?. My whole purpose was to update everything but this a problem. Perhaps they sold me the wrong controller? This number is also what Celestron says I need.
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Chris Rowland
member
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 25
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The new 4.12 hand controllers don't have GPS align or quick align because these infringe Meade's "patent" on North and Level.
All you have are SkyAlign, Auto Two Star, Two Star, One Star and Solar System alignments. Auto Two Star is probably closest to GPS; you do need to move to the first star yourself and the scope doesn't do it's little dance first
The GPS is still good to give you an accurate position and time
Chris
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hobbyking
newbie
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 4
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Thank you I did use the 3 star alignment and it worked great, But I miss that little dance oh it was cool.
I do still have my old control wonder if I could get it updated so it will dance again.
thanks for the info.
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bill torbitt
member
Reged: 09/04/08
Posts: 17
Loc: windhoek/namibia
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I don't know about the UK but you can get from a very helpful man in Germany Mr Janisch at www.abcde.de
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4195
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Believe me....after you use the new HC a few times you will NOT MISS the GPS alignment procedure one bit.....
I did miss it (GPS Align) the first 3-4 or maybe even 5 times I hauled my 8i outside..... but once I discovered that I did not need to worry about any of my alignment stars being behind the Big Oak Tree or behind the Garage ..I've been all smiles ever since...
The New HC has a few more features that I like...BUT is no faster nor no more accurate (or less) then the original HC..
Plus the same HC can be set up to run different scopes by changing its firmware...so I now have 2 HC that will work for both my 8i and CPC1100 ..plus the original HC to use as a spare for the 8i ..
Bob G. .
.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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Pasquale
Encrypted
Reged: 10/12/05
Posts: 2081
Loc: Olympia, Washington
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If I haven't used my 9.25 for a while, I'll just turn it on and let it charge itself for at least 24 hours. I've never disconnected the handset though, not sure why this would be necessary. Also, if you find that the battery won't hold a charge and needs replacement, you'll need to look at it and determine if it is permanently hardwired onto the board. Mine is, and I would have to remove the board (located in the fork arm) and send it to Celestron for replacement. I understand that not all batteries are permanently soldered onto the board....
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Pasquale
Go Seahawks!!!
NexStar 9.25 GPS / SkyAlign
Stellarvue SV102ED
WO ZS80FD Anniversary
WO ZS66ED Triplet
Vixen Sphinx SXW
Canon EOS XT/350D, Meade DSI, NexImager
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