4 replies to this topic

[Newhobbies]

I decided to get out the EQ5 Pro mount that I haven't used yet for imaging. I put the Quattro 150 on there which is around 12lbs. ASI585 camera, coma corrector, asiair, guidescope and camera. The total of all of this should be less than 20 pounds. 

 

Polar aligned and focused, only to have guiding just stop and basically freeze the asiair.

 

I'm running the EQ mod cable directly into the asiair. 

 

This OTA has a focal length of 517mm and maybe that's too much?

 

After trying to calibrate guiding with no success, I put the scope on the AM5 and polar aligned and all was fine. I did find about 2 or 3 subs where tracking was off though out of around 250. So 2 good nights with the AM5 and no real problems.

 

Is the AM5 that much better than this EQ5 Pro? Maybe if I put my refractor on there that has a 400mm focal length it won't have to struggle as much? That setup would likely be half the weight.

 

I did have 2 weights on that mount and had it balanced as well. Probably will only need one of the counter weights with the refractor.

[Tapio]

Not the fl but the total weight and momentum arm of reflector is too much for EQ5 pro.

20 pounds is EQ5 pro mount's maximum load capacity and for astrophoto it should be much less.

 

So yes, AM5 is much better match for it.

[KuiperBeltKing]

Poor guiding performance should not cause the ASIAir to freeze. Something else is also going on.

The first step in troubleshooting this would be to swap in a known good cable as its possible that a bad one can send a confusing signal to the Air or interrupt a com of some sort.

The mount also needs a dependable power source. How are you powering it?  

[Newhobbies]

Poor guiding performance should not cause the ASIAir to freeze. Something else is also going on.

The first step in troubleshooting this would be to swap in a known good cable as its possible that a bad one can send a confusing signal to the Air or interrupt a com of some sort.

The mount also needs a dependable power source. How are you powering it?  

This was powered using a plug in the wall with the cigar lighter, but again plugged into the wall. The asiair was also plugged into the wall using that adapter plug.

[Newhobbies]

Not the fl but the total weight and momentum arm of reflector is too much for EQ5 pro.

20 pounds is EQ5 pro mount's maximum load capacity and for astrophoto it should be much less.

 

So yes, AM5 is much better match for it.

 

Not the fl but the total weight and momentum arm of reflector is too much for EQ5 pro.

20 pounds is EQ5 pro mount's maximum load capacity and for astrophoto it should be much less.

 

So yes, AM5 is much better match for it.

I tallied everything up as far as weight/spec and I'm at about 18lbs. Then I had the two counterweights on there so and don't think that affects payload but I'm right at the end of it's capacity I'm sure. 

 

I'll plan to see how this works with a refractor and see how that goes.