2 replies to this topic

[AstroLeadCAVE]

My park has a problem with our two Orion telescopes so I hope can brainstorm a bit from you.

 

Before I took over the park's Astro Program, the park used to two very large Orion SkyQuest XXg GoTo 305mm diameter Truss Dobsonian telescopes. As we have been getting the telescopes to start working for the public, we started running into technical issues with the mounts. For one of telescopes, the axes are not responding to the controller with prompt of "Axes no response" while the other telescope's motor mount has started smoking when we plug the battery to operate the telescope. The battery we are using is a 12V / 10A DC per telescope instructions.

 

Because of these problems and with few solutions due to Orion Telescope no longer in business, I don't know where to turn to for the possibility of repairs and advice. I know other parks use Celestron scopes and while I have put in a purchase request for new gear, my supervisor would like me to put in the effort to see if the mount could be repaired since the telescope cylinders are fine and operatable.

 

Any advice is good advice as I don't know many folks in the Astro Community who are telescope savvy. Thank you.

[Astro-Master]

I would check with Sky-Watcher USA, both Orion and Sky-Watcher telescopes are made in China by the same company so the parts should be the same.

[michael8554]

"the axes are not responding to the controller with prompt of "Axes no response""

Try the other controller.

 

"the other telescope's motor mount has started smoking when we plug the battery to operate the telescope."

Which axis ?

Disconnect power to that motor.

Is that axis free to move, not jammed, with the clutch off ?

If no smoke, try the other controller, to see if it's faulty or not.

 

You might end up with one working scope if you swap components around.