HughBoy
sage
Reged: 09/08/04
Posts: 427
Loc: Durham, NC
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I saw a post the other day that mentioned the use of motors
*other* than the original Meade DS motors for this GOTO retrofit. I'm new at the robo-mount biz, so that was news to me.
Which led me to think:
Why not use the existing CG-5 motors with the Autostar 497
controller? They're just little DC motors, with RJ11 connectors,possessing acceptable power/torque - and they're already neatly mounted.
For the user, it'd basically be an upgrade for the hand controller - and whoosh - new GOTO capabilities.
Has someone tried this already and it didn't work?
Because, on the face of it, it seems like an interesting (perhaps even obvious) idea.
Just wondering,
Hugh
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Hughboy
- Coronado PST ("Goldeneye")
- WO ZS66 SD APO ("The Pocket Rocket")
- Celestron C80ED APO ("The Sleek Black Beauty")
- Celestron C8 SB-XLT ("The Pony Keg")
-- WO binoviewers
-- Imaging: Canon DSLR, Nikon Coolpix 4500 w/Scopetronix EP, Meade LPI
> ASGT, NexStar GT/BaaderBracket, SVP, EQ-1, Bogen 3001D/410 geared-head
(and too many old POS scopes to mention...)
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Don W
Postmaster
Reged: 05/19/03
Posts: 13244
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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You're forgetting that the motors need a circuit board to interpret the signals from the handcontroller. Another thing you're missing is that these conversions are being done on CG-5 mounts that either don't have any drives or are driven by inexpensive systems. Those motors are not servos so therefore cannot be used for GOTO.
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Don Wyman
Obsession 18" f/4.5 #1166
W/Argo Navis DSC and Torus Primary
William Optics Megrez 90
Coronado PST
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
I saw a post the other day that mentioned the use of motors
*other* than the original Meade DS motors for this GOTO retrofit.
I must have missed that one, can you provide a link?
I wouldn't have thought it possible either. Meade DS motors are servo motors with built-in encoders, I believe. Non-GOTO drives usually use stepper motors.
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HughBoy
sage
Reged: 09/08/04
Posts: 427
Loc: Durham, NC
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Thanks for the quick response.
I figured there had to be some good reason it wasn't being done.
Many thanks.
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Hughboy
- Coronado PST ("Goldeneye")
- WO ZS66 SD APO ("The Pocket Rocket")
- Celestron C80ED APO ("The Sleek Black Beauty")
- Celestron C8 SB-XLT ("The Pony Keg")
-- WO binoviewers
-- Imaging: Canon DSLR, Nikon Coolpix 4500 w/Scopetronix EP, Meade LPI
> ASGT, NexStar GT/BaaderBracket, SVP, EQ-1, Bogen 3001D/410 geared-head
(and too many old POS scopes to mention...)
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BCB
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3834
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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Quote:
Meade DS motors are servo motors with built-in encoders, I believe
Not to step on anyones toes here, but that statements incorrect.
All they are is DC motors geared down to handle the torque, and have an encoder setup using a pass through vane with a sending diode on one side and recieving unit on the other side. They are driven using an intermittant current pulse when in tracking mode, if I remember correctly. At higher slewing speeds, the driving voltage gets cranked up.. To what, I'm unsure of. 
I've had them stripped down to a total motor in parts on my bench to figure out what was wrong with one that would work intermittantly. Turned out to be a badly soldered xtal driving the chip handling everything that motor does.
Very easy to rip one up on a crash also.. Been there n done it..
It's concieveable to do, but all you'd be doing is copying what's already been done by Meade.. Granted, with better parts but still..
The DS conversion with GOTO4ALL brackets works well though. 
--------------------
Mark
Making people sorry they asked since 1967
Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks for the correction. I've always wondered if a DC motor with feedback from encoders can be used to drive a telescope, now I know...
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Don W
Postmaster
Reged: 05/19/03
Posts: 13244
Loc: Wisconsin, USA
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One of the other CG-5 conversions is to just use LXD-55 motors and an Autostar 497 handcontroller. The gearing is the same on both mounts.
--------------------
Don Wyman
Obsession 18" f/4.5 #1166
W/Argo Navis DSC and Torus Primary
William Optics Megrez 90
Coronado PST
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
All they are is DC motors geared down to handle the torque, and have an encoder setup using a pass through vane with a sending diode on one side and recieving unit on the other side.
Back in ye old days (70's), that's the definition I was taught for "servomotor". The encoders didn't have to be inside the motor housing nor driven at 1/1.
A GoTo system can be done with steppers instead but both Meade and Celestron use only servos. The Dob Driver uses steppers, and I believe the Gemini, Vixen, and ServoCat do also.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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BCB
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3834
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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HEHE
Forgive me John, for using incorrect nomenclature. It's been a long day with 3 sickos in the house ATM.. One daughter, the boy n the wife.. LOL
It's Heck here ATM LOLOLOL
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Mark
Making people sorry they asked since 1967
Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Thanks for the correction. I've always wondered if a DC motor with feedback from encoders can be used to drive a telescope, now I know...
Hi, Ken.
Sure - that describes the LXD55/75, CG5-GT, CGE, NXGPS, N8i, LX90, and LX200.
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
It's Heck here ATM LOLOLOL
Hi, Mark.
I understand (and remember well) that sort of situation!
Been out lately? I actually dragged gear out to the Club site last night for the first time this year.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
One of the other CG-5 conversions is to just use LXD-55 motors and an Autostar 497 handcontroller. The gearing is the same on both mounts.
Hi, Don.
That'd be the hot setup because of the higher torque of the motors and the higher resolution of the encoders (and the bolt-on nature of the conversion). The motors have been very hard to find, though.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
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BCB
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3834
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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Quote:
Quote:
It's Heck here ATM LOLOLOL
Hi, Mark.
I understand (and remember well) that sort of situation!
Been out lately? I actually dragged gear out to the Club site last night for the first time this year.
Matter O' fact, last night in the yard was I.  Then I get a celly call from a bud in Colorado whilst staring at Jupiter. 
Couldn't get the bugger off the phone to save my life.. LOL He does that to me on occasion. Anyhoo... He jabbered my ear so hard I actually got to miss some objects I wanted to pick off before the clouds rolled in.. 
NEAF'S comin bud.. Start savin. 
Now just to be OT, If I had a chance to get the reg LXD-55 motors, i'da went that route instead myself, but since SOMEONE I know  needed some machining done to fix a major problem, I couldn't resist horse trading for a 497 n DS kit..  
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Mark
Making people sorry they asked since 1967
Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Sure - that describes the LXD55/75, CG5-GT, CGE, NXGPS, N8i, LX90, and LX200.
Sure, go ahead, rub it in... 
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BCB
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3834
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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Quote:
Quote:
Sure - that describes the LXD55/75, CG5-GT, CGE, NXGPS, N8i, LX90, and LX200.
Sure, go ahead, rub it in...
LOL, you don't need to ask him, he'll do it anyway!!
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Mark
Making people sorry they asked since 1967
Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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|
Quote:
Quote:
Sure - that describes the LXD55/75, CG5-GT, CGE, NXGPS, N8i, LX90, and LX200.
Sure, go ahead, rub it in...
--------------------
John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
|
jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
NEAF'S comin bud.. Start savin.
We'll be there. I can't wait to see what kind of activity the Tele Vue booth gets, offering blem eyepieces for about what they sold for new during the second half of last year!
I wanna see what Burgess shows up with, too. Are we off topic yet?
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
|
BCB
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 3834
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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|
Quote:
Quote:
NEAF'S comin bud.. Start savin.
We'll be there. I can't wait to see what kind of activity the Tele Vue booth gets, offering blem eyepieces for about what they sold for new during the second half of last year!
I wanna see what Burgess shows up with, too. Are we off topic yet?
ummmm about 5 posts ago we tangented off, so donworryboutit.. LOL
Hmmm you actually think the blems will be runnin 220 or so ?
I'd be thinkin a bit less than that, even considering the prices went back up to normal at the start of this year.
I don't remember offhand what you paid for the one you grabbed when I was there.. 180 No ?
I still have that 8mm one, and it does get used.. Well worth what I put into it.
Burgess interests me as well... has me curious what's up his sleeve is more like it. A definate character is about the only way I can define him..
Bring your gear if you can. Hopefully we can get a session in at least one night.. I'll come equipped if all goes well, and I can swing a room.
Scott and the other guy (sorry bud, TOTTALY forgot yer name) comin along for the trip ?
--------------------
Mark
Making people sorry they asked since 1967
Astro-Tech 102ED
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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jrcrilly
Refractor wienie again
Reged: 04/30/03
Posts: 22479
Loc: NE Ohio
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Quote:
Bring your gear if you can. Hopefully we can get a session in at least one night.. I'll come equipped if all goes well, and I can swing a room.
Scott and the other guy (sorry bud, TOTTALY forgot yer name) comin along for the trip ?
Yes, I'll be there with Scott and Joe again. We'll no doubt have something or other along to use if there's a good night. I had forgotten the Plossl bargain - those were an extremely good value. I think the T6's were $190 so that's still a little less than the sale price.
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John C
Urban Observatory
Tele Vue Pronto
A&M/Astreya 76mm F/6 APO
TMB/LOMO 80mm F/7.5 APO
Tak FSQ-106N F/5 APO
Meade 152ED F/9 "APO"
152mm F/10 achromat
Tak CN-212 8" F/12 classical Cass/ F/4 Newt
Teeter 20" F/3.8 truss Newt w/ServoCat
LXD750, EM-200, CI-700
ST-10XME
|
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