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Equipment Discussions >> Mounts
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tma61
member


Reged: 12/27/11

Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new
      #5378337 - 08/20/12 08:46 PM
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I have an SW HEQ-5 mount.I have had it 6 months.My power cord has play/slop in it where it enters the mount. I have been slewing and had my power cut out.EXTREMELY frustrating! I have taken a roll of tape into the field and Magivered it for now. I am looking for the next size of power jack head to wire in.Or an option is to shim it with tinfoil.

Has anyone had this issue?

Are there any Skywatcher reps out there??

TMA

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jchoy46
super member


Reged: 02/08/12

Loc: Port Orange, FL
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: tma61]
      #5378359 - 08/20/12 08:59 PM
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i am not sure how your connection is but i had the same issue with my cg5. the pin that goes into the scope has a small hole in it. i took a piece of scrape wire and shaved it down till i exposed the wires. i cut off a few strands and stuffed them into the hole. i plugged in power cord and it is flawless now. hope this helps.

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Coastal
super member


Reged: 04/23/09

Loc: Vancouver island, Canada
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: tma61]
      #5378365 - 08/20/12 09:00 PM
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If you don't mind doing a bit of surgery on your new mount, check out:

http://astrotroniks.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_reviews_info&products_id=25&reviews_id=5%29.

EDIT: that was a link to a review, here is their DIY product

http://astrotroniks.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=26

Edited by Coastal (08/20/12 09:03 PM)

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tma61
member


Reged: 12/27/11

Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: Coastal]
      #5378386 - 08/20/12 09:14 PM
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Thanks to both members for the info.
One way or the i will fall back to the DIY.

dm

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Phil Sherman
Pooh-Bah


Reged: 12/07/10

Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: tma61]
      #5380092 - 08/21/12 09:57 PM
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One thing you can do after you get it fixed is to get some "decorator velcro" (only one sticky side) and run a loop of wire through a strip mounted on top of the mount. This will relieve all stress on the plug and prevent it from becoming loose again.

Phil

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wasyoungonce
sage


Reged: 06/07/07

Loc: Land Downunder
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: tma61]
      #5380527 - 08/22/12 06:14 AM
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Could be that your mount has a 2.1mm (centre) DC jack and you are using a 2.5mm (centre) DC plug? Thus it fits but it'll be sloppy and you will get power disconnects at intermittent times.

I don't know what size Skywatcher uses but I'd suspect them to be 2.1mm.

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brianb11213
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 02/25/09

Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: wasyoungonce]
      #5380742 - 08/22/12 09:46 AM
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Quote:

Could be that your mount has a 2.1mm (centre) DC jack and you are using a 2.5mm (centre) DC plug? Thus it fits but it'll be sloppy and you will get power disconnects at intermittent times.

I don't know what size Skywatcher uses but I'd suspect them to be 2.1mm.


Quite apart from the confusion between centre pole size with 5.5mm OD connectors: these things are really cheap and nasty. It's about time some manufacturer bit the bullet and spent a few extra cents on installing a more suitable power connector.

The 2.5mm inner connector (Meade) will be so sloppy you'll be lucky to get a connection at all. There is quite a lot of variation in the size of the "2.1mm" connectors which has a lot to do with the unreliability constantly reported by users. Get one that feels stiffish, and tape the top end of the cable to something on the mount that rotates with the power connector. You can usefully apply half an inch of black electrical tape over that idiotic power indicator light whilst you're at it.

The only connectors that are less reliable than those 5.5mm / 2.1mm (or 2.5mm) concentric connectors are those used for the cigar lighter plug at the other end of the cable.

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akira
member


Reged: 08/26/08

Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... [Re: brianb11213]
      #5381099 - 08/22/12 01:37 PM
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http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15921 here are two solutions for the HEQ5 mount if you can DIY and have experience with soldering

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tma61
member


Reged: 12/27/11

Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: akira]
      #5573181 - 12/15/12 08:42 PM
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thanks to all for advice and links.i've used a combination of solutions and it hasnt been an issue lately.

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Agelos Kechagias
super member


Reged: 01/12/09

Loc: Greece
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: tma61]
      #5573503 - 12/16/12 01:11 AM
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I have done this http://www.astrovox.gr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15921&highlight=

P.s. Sorry it is in Greek language but you can take a taste from photos.

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tma61
member


Reged: 12/27/11

Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Re: HEQ 5 power jack sloppy... new [Re: Agelos Kechagias]
      #5579559 - 12/19/12 08:30 PM
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thank you Agelos

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