7 replies to this topic

[zpyrite]

Hello,

 

I've been having some issues with my HEQ5 Pro mount. I'm relatively new and cannot seem to figure out the issue. I'm using Sharp Cap's polar alignment tool and getting alignment within 0°00'25". However, as soon as I got to do a 2-star/3-star alignment it slews to the first star and is way off. I try to correct this by using the hand controller, but I get no response when attempting to adjust the position using the arrows. My only ideas are that I'm not providing enough power (using 12V 8A Power Supply Adapter) or there's a technical issue with the handset/mount.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thank you

[Ljubo]

I guess you're new with this mount? 

Lower slew speeds are very slow (that's why you "see" no movement), so you have to raise the slew rate almost (or at) the maximum first.

[zpyrite]

Yeah pretty new. Still struggling to get the star alignment. That’s very good to know though thank you.

[EGregerson]

i have an EQ 6 which i think is similar;  mine was off; read in a CN post to just do a 1 star align 1st; that it settles it.  That seemed to work. Then do the 2 star.   But i would still be off like 15° frequently; i tracked the problem to the app PSAlign; and the daylight savings time input visavie the SW controller input.  It was like  1 saying it's DST, then telling the other the time zone (eg  GMT -4) , adjusted for DST. so it got entered twice. 

[bignerdguy]

FYI the whole purpose of the alignment is to make the HC internal star map match the sky.  The first alignment star will be a ways off of true and all you need to do is use the HC to move it to the center of an eyepiece or camera display.  To change slew speeds use the rate button on the HC. Its one of the numbers.  Simply hit rate, then choose a number from 1 to 9 (9 being max, 1 being guide rate) and hit enter.  Once the star is close use the rate button again to slow the rate so you can fine tune it.  

 

Couple of things you need to be sure of if you are not using a GPS module:

 

1. Date and time are correct for local time.

2. Daylight savings (DST) is set correctly.

3. Time zone is correct.

4. Location coordinates are correct.  As an example, i live in Dallas Texas area so for me the coords need to be in the North west hemisphere.  My controller usually defaults to North East for some reason.

 

If all these are correct and PA is accurate as you stated then the scope should move the mount to near but not on the first star.  Align this then choose the second star.  It will move closer to that one.  if you do a 3 star it will be closer still.  once all three are done the scope should be able to get any object in he field of view though it may or may not be dead center.  The first alignment star is always the most inaccurate though it should not be off by a really large amount.  If it is then usually something you entered in the initial setup phase was wrong.  If you are using a GPS module then Time/Date/Location will not be entered manually as the GPS will pick all of that up directly from the satellites. You will still need to set DST and time zone correctly.

 

Note:  1 star alignment is good for quick and easy alignment of a single small area of the sky but should not be used if you are going to do anything more than visual and not for farther away objects, for that do at least a 2 star alignment.

[CandiStarlight]

Sooo sorry if you already know this, but you do realise the HEQ5 Pro has a little telescope built into it, for the specific purpose of polar alignment? You have to remove a couple of caps and have the mount oriented so that the scope can see through the hole in the counterweight shaft / axis. But I find that is quite a convenient way to get good PA when you use it along with an app like PS Align Pro. You look through and simply adjust the alt and azmth bolts on the mount head to get Polaris on the right spot on the reticle as per the app. Obvs you do need to be able to see Polaris for this method. And as others have said you need your date, time, location co-ords etc to be correct.

 

I have done good unguided images of up to 5 mins just using this PA approach, and planets stay centred even in a high power EP / Barlow combination giving 500x.

 

I find I don't even need the 1, 2 or 3 star alignment these days (although to be fair that's mainly because I rarely use the handset, using EQMOD to control the mount via my laptop instead, and using plate solving with a planetarium app to get precise alignment).

 

Make sure you always power the mount up and down on the "Parked" Home position, then PA it as the first thing. Note- I used to do the PA without the telescope mounted, but I found putting the scope on the mount would cause it to shift slightly, so now I PA only after mounting the scope and rig on the HEQ5.

 

Clear Skies!

[Jerdiest]

I have had a similar problem with my HEQ5. It would usually perform very well but suddenly some days it was completely off even after manually correcting in star alignment. I'm quite sure it was a problem with the cone error and NPE error, which are saved each session. After a while these can be off and cause problems.

Following advice on this forum I resetted the mount to factory settings. You have to give your coordinates etc. again but the next time I used it the first alignment star was almost bang on.

So now I regularly reset to factory settings and the problem hasn't appeared again!

[zpyrite]

Sooo sorry if you already know this, but you do realise the HEQ5 Pro has a little telescope built into it, for the specific purpose of polar alignment? You have to remove a couple of caps and have the mount oriented so that the scope can see through the hole in the counterweight shaft / axis. But I find that is quite a convenient way to get good PA when you use it along with an app like PS Align Pro. You look through and simply adjust the alt and azmth bolts on the mount head to get Polaris on the right spot on the reticle as per the app. Obvs you do need to be able to see Polaris for this method. And as others have said you need your date, time, location co-ords etc to be correct.

 

I have done good unguided images of up to 5 mins just using this PA approach, and planets stay centred even in a high power EP / Barlow combination giving 500x.

 

I find I don't even need the 1, 2 or 3 star alignment these days (although to be fair that's mainly because I rarely use the handset, using EQMOD to control the mount via my laptop instead, and using plate solving with a planetarium app to get precise alignment).

 

Make sure you always power the mount up and down on the "Parked" Home position, then PA it as the first thing. Note- I used to do the PA without the telescope mounted, but I found putting the scope on the mount would cause it to shift slightly, so now I PA only after mounting the scope and rig on the HEQ5.

 

Clear Skies!

Yeah, I've tried using it but have found Polaris is super faint where I live and makes it a pain which is why I tried using Sharp Cap's tool, which is much easier for me.