10 replies to this topic

[stewartcross]

The azimuth tracking on my Orion SkyQuest XX12g Goto (purchased 2019) has stopped working. The drive motors are fine but the azimuth reading no longer changes as the base rotates. Consequently the whole setup is useless as it won't slew or track

 

Attached are images of the sensor which no longer works. The identical altitude sensor is fine.

 

Does anyone have any idea whether I would be able to find a replacement?

Attached Thumbnails

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[ngc7319_20]

Does the elevation encoder look identical?  Have you tried just swapping the elevation and azimuth encoders, and see whether the problems moves with the azimuth encoder?

 

This just looks like a LED / photodiode pair.  You could probably replace the components on the board.  I'd also try wiggling the connector -- might just be a connector or wire issue.  

[mayhem13]

I would contact Sky-Watcher support…..I think their  goto dob motors and control are the same.

[stewartcross]

Thanks, yes I swapped the two encoders and the problem moved, so it's definitely this board. Sadly, no amount of wiggling fixes it. I will contact Sky-Watcher support

[Mike Q]

Hit up encoder product company.   Send them the picture that you posted and see what they can do for you

[stewartcross]

I don't know who the encoder product company is, only the overall manufacturer which was Orion. Do you or anyone else know?

[ngc7319_20]

Since you have one working encoder (the other axis) and one dead encoder, you have a lot to work with.  I'd focus on a board level repair.  You've got only 3 parts on the board.    Get an ohm meter and go around the board comparing resistances between the good and dead board.  You need to test both polarities (reverse the test leads).  That should let you figure out which part is bad.  Get a photo of the dead part -- put it through a Google lens search.  Note any numbers on it.  Use terms like LED, photodiode, phototransistor.  Companies like Mouser and Newark sell almost every electronic part ever made.

 

Also consider whether there is just a mechanical fault.  There must be an encoder wheel, shaft, etc. this board reads.  Something with black bits, or reflective bits.  Make sure that part seems OK.

Edited by ngc7319_20, 02 April 2025 - 08:42 AM.

[stewartcross]

Yes thanks ngc7319_20, that all makes sense. It's definitely the encoder board because I've swapped the good and bad ones and the fault swaps with them.

 

No numbers on anything unfortunately but I'm sure I can work out which component is the faulty one and find an appropriate replacement.

[rmollise]

I don't know who the encoder product company is, only the overall manufacturer which was Orion. Do you or anyone else know?

Orion wasn't the manufacturer. This scope was made by Synta, who sells under the SkyWatcher brand (and others). Contact SkyWatcher USA.

[Mike Q]

I don't know who the encoder product company is, only the overall manufacturer which was Orion. Do you or anyone else know?

https://www.encoder.com/

 

They might be able to help sort you out

[stewartcross]

Thanks everyone