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[photo444]

Hi Tom,

I have ordered one unit today but I want to make sure it will work with my EQ mount.  RA has 144T worm and a gear set of 42/18 so total ration is 336, and DEC has 300 total.  Any suggestions please?

Thanks,
Paul

[TCWORLD]

Hi Paul,

You didn't say what step angle your motors are.

If they are 7.5 Degree, then it would be possible using 1/32 microstepping, but you would only get 2arcsec resolution.

If they are 1.8 Degree, then you would be able to get up to 0.5arcsec resolution.

[photo444]

Thank you for the reply, Tom.
I am thinking of using 200 steps (1.8 deg)or 400 steps (0.9 deg) motors.
Is it worthwhile to make RA/DEC ratio to be 1.0?  This can be done by selecting right gear ratios for RA (144) and DEC (90).
 

[TCWORLD]

The ratios don't need to match.

[photo444]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your suggestions.  I may settle with the gear ratios above and 0.5 or 0.25 arc-second resolution, and may play with electronics until Christmas. Arduino Mega board and several stepper drivers I have will keep me busy for a while.

Thanks,
paul

[photo444]

Receiving an AstroEQ a few days ago, now I have rigged up with my mount.
RA:144 Gear:4 Microstep:32 1.8deg
DEC:90 Gear:6 Mocrostep:32 1.8deg
The ET8 mount is slewing very faithfully, just waiting for clear nights for further trial.