6 replies to this topic

[Xephius]

https://youtube.com/shorts/lOM5KuLTIdc

 

Link to Video of Problem

 

 

Hey all, I am working on repairing this Takahashi EM-200 mount. When I power it on, it makes a loud buzzing sound from within the control box and the green light turns yellow. The sound does not come from the motors. The sound happens with or without the hand controller plugged in. Let me know if anyone has suggestions before I open up the box and start probing with my scope. Thanks!

Edited by Xephius, 23 March 2023 - 09:10 PM.

[c2m2t]

Hi Xephius!

The sound you are hearing is in fact the RA motor....just place your ear beside it. I have the Tak NJP mount for which I was fortunate that the good folks in Japan were able to resurrect my board after a Lady Bug caused a short on the main board. It was a nerve racking half year before I finally got the board back and reinstalled in my mount. The green light tells you that the system is on and when you switch the "Motor" to the on position, the colour changes to orange...all normal to my NJP mount  and I suspect yours as well. 

 

What do you feel that you need to do to the mount? Did the previous owner indicate there were some faults? 

 

Cheers, Chris.

[Xephius]

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for that heads up. The previous owner did not say there was a problem, just that it had not been used in a very long time. It appears to have been a display given the amount of dust on everything. I think the larger problem is I don't have a manual or any reference point to go on.... When I turned it on, the buzzing sound was alarming so I turned it off and made a post!

 

If you could give me some pointers on how to operate the mount, I would be ever so grateful. I have the hand puck and its cable, the SkyFi adapter along with what appears to be a RJ11 to serial and serial to DIN cable. This all appears to all connect up to the mount, but the RJ11 cable looks bad so I may need to re-crimp a new connector on. If you have pinout of what that is suppose to be, that info would also be very helpful.

 

I appear to be missing the polar alignment scope. Until I can find/afford a Takahashi version, do you know if the Celestron Polar Finder is compatible?

 

Edited by Xephius, 24 March 2023 - 07:20 AM.

[c2m2t]

Hi Xephius!

From first glance, it appears that you have everything there that you need. The Wifi unit is a real gem...if it is working.The Temma 2 runs flawlessly with Sky Safari and so easy to connect. Now...I think I see the power connection cable inside the power box...is that correct?

As far a s the polar scope is concerned...I think you have it...just remove the black screw cap on the low end of the RA axis. 

 

I think you will find owner's manuals on line. Ask any further questions and I will answer as best I can!

 

Cheers, Chris.

[c2m2t]

The RJ11 rack inserts into the Wifi unit. Before you do anything, check if it is working/connecting and signal is getting through. If you don't have Sky Safari on your iPhone, do get it. You will thank yourself over and over. These Tak mounts are basic equipment...not a lot of bells and whistles...but they are flawless mechanically. You are lucky to have one!!

 

Cheers, Chris

[Xephius]

Hey Chris,

 

Thanks for the support here. I didn't want to move too quickly, when it made the sounds I was worried it was broken. That said.. the controller cable was loose. When I powered it all back up, it moved as expected! Nice motor whirr...

 

On the Polar Scope. The rear cap has the EP behind it, but the front 'Objective tube' is missing. I will start looking for an OEM Tak version, but until then, I was curious if the Celestron shared the same thread. 

 

 

And thank you. This is a dream mount that I never thought I would have. Every part of it is amazing, my kids and I just stand and gape at how big it is. I will get some photos of the RJ11 - Serial cable connection next. It appears that only 2 wires are being used. The connection looks stressed so I wanted to check that it was good before I plugged it all in. I will see about linking up SkySafari and the WiFi gizmo next. Thanks for the help.

[c2m2t]

Hi Xephius!

It is amazing how ones brain goes soft with time. My NJP mount has been in my observatory for the the last 5 years before the shorting incident at which time I removed it and replaced with an HEQ5 for the interim. I have been waiting for the temps to warm up before I swap in the NJP again...also need to take down a tree which has grown up and is now blocking Polaris from my POD. I do believe everything is in the mount that you need to polar align...what is needed is the red light to illuminate the polar scope...I completely forgot about it. See images attached. Take a look through the business end of the polar scope and I suspect you will see the Polaris reticle with its circles and hatch marks. I think you can get away without the light or you could substitute something jury rigged to get some illumination into the top end of the RA axis. My Celestron ASGT mount has no illumination for the polar scope but if you align at dusk when Polaris becomes first visible, you should be able to get polar aligned!!

 

Cheers, Chris.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

Edited by c2m2t, 24 March 2023 - 10:55 AM.