24 replies to this topic

[RunningMan]

Is anyone aware of an individual or company that could repair an MKS5000 motherboard by Software Bisque?

Mine seems to be damaged, as the power supply is functional, but the mount will not power on. I ordered a replacement (quite expensive) from SB weeks ago, and was told that the part was back ordered 1-2 weeks. When I called to follow up I learned that the back order will continue for additional weeks. I’m out of the game, waiting for this replacement part, as many clear summer nights pass me by.

It would be wonderful to connect with someone who can repair it.

Any leads?

Clear skies!
Aaron

[pyrasanth]

Is anyone aware of an individual or company that could repair an MKS5000 motherboard by Software Bisque?

Mine seems to be damaged, as the power supply is functional, but the mount will not power on. I ordered a replacement (quite expensive) from SB weeks ago, and was told that the part was back ordered 1-2 weeks. When I called to follow up I learned that the back order will continue for additional weeks. I’m out of the game, waiting for this replacement part, as many clear summer nights pass me by.

It would be wonderful to connect with someone who can repair it.

Any leads?

Clear skies!
Aaron

I can't help you with the repair contact but frankly this is not a very good state of affairs for a mount that costs $9000 in the case of the MX+

 

I make no secret, and I've told Bisque, what I think about the control board, especially it's interfaces. They are weak and fragile & I hate the way the cables are attached directly to the board. When I purchased my mount originally it had to be sent back because the DEC cable was made too short and it tore the connector off the board when the mount slewed.

 

I also find their prices quite extortionate and sadly we are victims of a captive market.

 

The security deposit is also interesting- why is it needed?

 

I can see no logical reason for the deposit. The price is the price- so what is the incentive for Bisque to get a faulty board back then offer a deposit refund?- they must be doing something with the boards that is commercially viable. I can't infer on the forum but I will leave it to your imagination what gets shipped back to you.

 

It is extraordinary that they have no stock of this board- a body without a heart! 

Edited by pyrasanth, 21 July 2018 - 04:11 AM.

[ssagerian]

Arron,

what is your skill level in diagnosing electrical issues?

how are you verifying the power supply is working? 

What kind of power supply is it (model)?

Have you disassembled the mount to view the board?

If so can you verify if the connector from the power supply is making contact to the mount's connector?

Can you verify that the connector bring power to the (internally) board is making contact,

any cracks or discoloration on it or any components on the broad?

Are there any fuses in the power supply that might be blown, any on board fuses that might  have blown?

Steve

[RunningMan]

Hi Pyrasanth,

Thank you for your response. I hadn't been aware of your interactions with SB about the control board. Imagine my disappointment when I read the details of the warranty and discovered that the electronics were covered for only one year (mechanicals are covered for two years). The mount was purchased in December of 2016, and not used until April or May of 2017 due to bad weather conditions. I frequently used it from April/May through October/November, and then put it away for the winter. I used it a couple of times this year and then this happened this June. So basically it lasted 13-14 months from date of first use. 

Based on your experiences with this sort of problem, I will take a look at the connectors and verify that one hasn't become loose. This could be a much less expensive and a more immediate fix than replacing the motherboard.

Clear skies!

Aaron

 

 

I can't help you with the repair contact but frankly this is not a very good state of affairs for a mount that costs $9000 in the case of the MX+

 

I make no secret, and I've told Bisque, what I think about the control board, especially it's interfaces. They are weak and fragile & I hate the way the cables are attached directly to the board. When I purchased my mount originally it had to be sent back because the DEC cable was made too short and it tore the connector off the board when the mount slewed.

 

I also find their prices quite extortionate and sadly we are victims of a captive market.

 

The security deposit is also interesting- why is it needed?

 

I can see no logical reason for the deposit. The price is the price- so what is the incentive for Bisque to get a faulty board back then offer a deposit refund?- they must be doing something with the boards that is commercially viable. I can't infer on the forum but I will leave it to your imagination what gets shipped back to you.

 

It is extraordinary that they have no stock of this board- a body without a heart! 

[RunningMan]

Hi Steve,

I consider myself novice at diagnosing electrical issues. My statement that the power supply (stock 48V power supply that comes with the PMX+) is functional is based on the following observations:

 

1) the LED on the power supply is illuminated

2) the reading on the multimeter is 48V, which is the predicted value

 

Would you agree with my conclusion that the power supply is operational, based on these data?

 

I took a glance at the motherboard when this happened and I noticed no obvious evidence of damage (cracks or discoloration. I will check again for the connections to cords.

 

I didn't notice any fuses, though it is possible that a different sort of fuse is used and I didn't recognize it as a fuse?

 

I'm so bummed about this.

 

Thank you and clear skies!

Aaron

 

Arron,

what is your skill level in diagnosing electrical issues?

how are you verifying the power supply is working? 

What kind of power supply is it (model)?

Have you disassembled the mount to view the board?

If so can you verify if the connector from the power supply is making contact to the mount's connector?

Can you verify that the connector bring power to the (internally) board is making contact,

any cracks or discoloration on it or any components on the broad?

Are there any fuses in the power supply that might be blown, any on board fuses that might  have blown?

Steve

[skyward_eyes]

Is the power port loose in anyway?

How is the port functional if the mount doesn’t power on?

It might be the power port has broken loose from the board itself. It is held in place by two solder points, this is what keeps it in place. I use my MX in the field constantly so over five years of heavy outreach use my power port broke loose. I had to open the mount to access the board and have a friend carefully solder it back on. It works fine now.

[ssagerian]

If you are using a multimeter and read 48V at the connector pins of the PS then yes, that correct, the question now is if the voltage is making its way on to the board.

 

Is this the board? If so, its possible that there could be some hair line cracks around the power connector or the switch. DId you try gently flexing or rocking the PS connector when its inserted in the mount to see if its intermittent?

 

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[CharlesW]

You don’t indicate where you live but where I’m at we have an electronics supply house. I’m not talking electrical supply, but electronics. If I were in your shoes I’d drive over to Willie’s and ask the counter guys if they had experience, or knew someone, that could look at the board for a reasonable fee.  

[ssagerian]

That is a very dense board and most of the components are surface mounted which makes it difficult to replace failed parts.

If its not something simple like a broken trace/connection  (similar to skyward_eyes experience) then you would be  more likely get back into operation faster by replacing the whole unit (as you already have started). 

[andicus]

Am I understanding the security deposit correctly?  You have to buy a new board at $800 AND you have to give them the old one?

 

If that's the case I'll be treating mine like gold.  I thought the price was expensive, but having to give up a potential part source for the new board is brutal.

[mich_al]

Look the board and components over carefully with a magnifier. Modern PCB's have very small traces and legs. I've seen components blown out that have only a pinhole exhibited. ALSO, thanks for the heads up on SB.

[RunningMan]

My understanding is that the cost to purchase a new MKS5000 motherboard is $800 and that $400 is refunded upon receipt of the returned motherboard.

 

 

Am I understanding the security deposit correctly?  You have to buy a new board at $800 AND you have to give them the old one?

 

If that's the case I'll be treating mine like gold.  I thought the price was expensive, but having to give up a potential part source for the new board is brutal.

[RunningMan]

Hi Charles,

I live in southeast Michigan. I'll check into an electronics supply place and possible connections therein (pun intended).

Thank you and clear skies!

Aaron

 

You don’t indicate where you live but where I’m at we have an electronics supply house. I’m not talking electrical supply, but electronics. If I were in your shoes I’d drive over to Willie’s and ask the counter guys if they had experience, or knew someone, that could look at the board for a reasonable fee.  

[andicus]

My understanding is that the cost to purchase a new MKS5000 motherboard is $800 and that $400 is refunded upon receipt of the returned motherboard.

Okay.  That sounds much more reasonable.  Still a bummer to have to replace it, but much better than $800.

[RunningMan]

This afternoon I discovered the unexpected source of my problem when I removed the MKS5000 board from my PMX+. I was expecting to find a broken solder between the power port and the circuit board, but no such defect was obvious. I didn't notice any other obvious defects, and did notice that all the connections were robust and plenty of extra cable was present to prevent any pulling of connectors by cords as the mount slews. Overall, I was very impressed with the wiring and board and build quality.

 

After removing the board, I attached the power supply and flipped the switch and to my surprise it powered on and gave the requisite lights and sounds indicative of full function. I wasn't sure what to think. Had I jiggled something into place as I removed the board? So I reinstalled the board into the mount and when I flipped the power switch, again no lights, sounds or power. After some thought, I recalled one other change that I had made the previous time I had used the mount. I had installed a serial selector switch (https://www.ebay.com...ksid=m570.l1313) to make it easy to switch which focuser motor would be controlled by my Moonlite MiniV2 controller (two scopes are mounted in tandem on the PMX+). When I disconnected the serial selector switch the mount powered right on, and I could control each focuser individually by connecting to the MiniV2 controller.

 

As I noted in an earlier post, I am not an expert electrician, and I have no idea why this switch caused this to happen.

Any ideas?

 

In any case, I am glad I figured it out before dropping $400 on a new control board that wouldn't have solved the problem.

 

Clear skies!

Aaron

[mich_al]

What is the situation with power supplies of each focuser, the Moonlite MiniV2 controller and your mount? Does each have its own supply? AC wall warts? I assume the switch is not powered. Initially I'm thinking an interaction issue of some sort. I'm not at all familiar with any of these parts though.

[RunningMan]

Hi Al,

As far as I understand, 12V DC power runs from the PMX+ versa-plate to the MiniV2 controller. I presume that serial cable from the MiniV2 controller that connects to the focus motor provides power to and commands the focuser motor. I figured that the serial switch would simply allow me to easily connect the controller to the desired motor, without the need to connect/disconnect cables, but as you noted, there must be another interaction that prevented this from working as planned.

Clear skies!

Aaron

 

What is the situation with power supplies of each focuser, the Moonlite MiniV2 controller and your mount? Does each have its own supply? AC wall warts? I assume the switch is not powered. Initially I'm thinking an interaction issue of some sort. I'm not at all familiar with any of these parts though.

[mich_al]

So if I understand, one powers supply feeds all (mount, MiniV2 controller, and both focusers thru the switch)? That's probably most straight forward / best. But power is not typically on a serial/rs232 connector. Typical and rs232 don't really go together well because rs232 has many standards and just as many alterations. Are the focusers rs232 or do they just use a db9 connection? When you unplug the feed to the switch does power & function return to the mount? What about if you re-connect the feed and unplug the connection to each focuser?

[Ken Sturrock]

Mysterious, but I'm glad that a solution materialized before you replaced it.

[MCinAZ]

...I recalled one other change that I had made the previous time I had used the mount. I had installed a serial selector switch...

 

When I disconnected the serial selector switch the mount powered right on, and I could control each focuser individually by connecting to the MiniV2 controller.

  It may be that the serial switch installation created a short affecting a regulated voltage, perhaps the 12V supply. Most regulators provide over-current protection and simply shut down before anything is damaged, however without this voltage source available on the board, the system may not come out of reset.

 

  I wouldn't recommend re-installing the serial switch until you (or someone who understands electronics to a moderate degree) know exactly what connections are being made.

 

  Serial switches generally affect only the RS-232 level communications, so  a properly installed switch should not affect power consumption or supply voltages to any appreciable degree. Few serial links designed in the past 25 years use more than two signals (TD and RD), so usually a double pole double throw toggle switch is all that's needed to select between two devices connected to a single port.

 

NB: I have not yet looked at the link to the serial switch used on the mount.

[BlueGrass]

Pretty sure the DB9 connections from the focus controller to the focuser stepper are for motor control only. Not all of the 9 pins are used. If the two-way serial switch is not a simple mechanical switch but a logical or discrete switch, I think that would help to explain the shorting or shutdown. Maybe contact Moonlite and get their technical expertise on what you're trying to do by switching a powered, active controller between focusers ... just a suggestion  

[RunningMan]

Thanks, everyone for the tips and for helping me understand the underlying issue. I think several of you have hit the nail on the head. In my naiveté I had assumed this switch, because it accommodated the DB9 connectors, would serve my purpose. Now I understand that this was not a good assumption. I'm so glad that this didn't damage the electronics!

 

I will not reinstall the switch. Instead, I'll stick with a low tech switch, connecting the wire from the controller to the focuser that I intend to use.

 

Clear skies!

Aaron

[DocJim]

Hi Aaron, it appears that you may have already solved the issue with your MKS-5000 PCB. If, however, you find that help is still needed, the person we have used with fine results is Tolga Gumusayak. He owns his own company called: TolgaAstro.com, and his telephone is 732-496-1519. He lives in New Jersey, but has imaging equipment at the same remote location we do, which is Deep Sky West in New Mexico. We own an ME II, an ME, MX and MyT and traded one of our original MEs (yes we had 3 ME sized mounts plus the MX and MyT!!) to DSW. Tolga did the upgrades for both of our original MEs to the MKS-5000 PCB with excellent results, and he works closely with Bisque and really knows those mounts and the software. I know he has helped many others with differing mount brands---and has a Paramount Taurus along with a MyT at DSW. We spent a full week with him onsite last December, and highly recommend him to do this type of work. His formal training is as an electrician with emphasis upon AV work. Anyway, we just wanted to give you the heads-up in case it is necessary for you. Good Luck and Clear skies.
Jim and Linda

[RunningMan]

Hi Aaron, it appears that you may have already solved the issue with your MKS-5000 PCB. If, however, you find that help is still needed, the person we have used with fine results is Tolga Gumusayak. He owns his own company called: TolgaAstro.com, and his telephone is 732-496-1519. He lives in New Jersey, but has imaging equipment at the same remote location we do, which is Deep Sky West in New Mexico. We own an ME II, an ME, MX and MyT and traded one of our original MEs (yes we had 3 ME sized mounts plus the MX and MyT!!) to DSW. Tolga did the upgrades for both of our original MEs to the MKS-5000 PCB with excellent results, and he works closely with Bisque and really knows those mounts and the software. I know he has helped many others with differing mount brands---and has a Paramount Taurus along with a MyT at DSW. We spent a full week with him onsite last December, and highly recommend him to do this type of work. His formal training is as an electrician with emphasis upon AV work. Anyway, we just wanted to give you the heads-up in case it is necessary for you. Good Luck and Clear skies.
Jim and Linda

Thanks for this advice. Indeed, I have worked with Tolga before and he has been super helpful! 

Clear skies!

Aaron

Edited by RunningMan, 28 July 2018 - 03:43 PM.

[mich_al]

Aaron Thanks for the update.