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[tyson]

Hi.

I have an old meade portable pier and GEM head (google meade 628, 850 etc).  It has an old clock drive running AC power, and no dec control.  I'd like to update the RA motor and add a dec motor with steppers.  I have the mechanical and machining means to design and fabricate necessary parts (I dont mind sharing the design and CAD files but it would be very specific to my mount), but I need something like the AstroEQ for control. 

any units available?  ship to US, California?  not in a rush with it.

I also have a question about adjusting the axis' manually, will it be ok to physically push the motion with the steppers and everything connected.  in other words, is there circuitry in place to protect the boards from back driving the stepper motors.  or not a big deal either way.

[TCWORLD]

Hi,

Currently AstroEQ is unavailable. I am hoping to make a small batch at Easter. If you want one sooner, there is always the option of building a controller around the Arduino Mega. There is a schematic at http://astroeq.co.uk/buildown .

In terms of protecting the board, when AstroEQ is connected to EQMOD the motors are always powered - essentially locked in place when not moving, so it isn't possible to turn them by hand. When unpowered, their probably won't be an issue turning the motors by hand - obviously it depends on the size of the motor how much voltage you can generate by spinning them.

[tyson]

No worries. Thanks for the response. I'll try to check in later.

[lowsfer]

Hi,

Could you also add one more to your Easter batch?    I plan to use it for my Losmandy G11 non-Goto.

I need it shipped to Sydney, Australia. When you are ready to accept orders, please do notify me and I'll make the payment. I don't want to miss this batch

Thank you very much!

Hi,

Currently AstroEQ is unavailable. I am hoping to make a small batch at Easter. If you want one sooner, there is always the option of building a controller around the Arduino Mega. There is a schematic at http://astroeq.co.uk/buildown .

In terms of protecting the board, when AstroEQ is connected to EQMOD the motors are always powered - essentially locked in place when not moving, so it isn't possible to turn them by hand. When unpowered, their probably won't be an issue turning the motors by hand - obviously it depends on the size of the motor how much voltage you can generate by spinning them.

[michaelgqld]

Hi.

I would also like to be added to the Easter Batch.

I have a Skywatcher Dual Axis motor drive for EQ5 and I was hoping to add goto via my PC with EQMOD and Starry Night Pro Plus 7.

I am from Brisbane Australia. When they are available could you please contact me and I will make payment a.s.a.p.

Thanks

[TCWORLD]

Right, this is where the interesting task begins. Limited quantity, lots of interest.

So assuming the PCBs arrive on time (should be 1-2 weeks), there will be 13 AstroEQs available for shipment by April 20th.

I am going to be sending e-mails or PMs to those who have already requested one from this batch, starting with the earliest I can find and working forward. Once I know how many of those still want one (and whether there is enough!), I'll post an update here with how many are remaining.

You should get a message from me before this weekend if you are make it into the batch.

Regards,
Tom.

(p.s. if I happen to send you a PM and an e-mail, you probably posted in this thread and contacted me by e-mail. Sorry about that, I've kind of lost track).

[TCWORLD]

Well, I have sent e-mails to all who had enquired (I think everyone, if I have missed you, send me a PM).

Allowing first dibs to those I've e-mailed, there are still 6 available.

[papabone]

Hello Tom, Have I missed the boat on this batch ?

[TCWORLD]

Nope, still 6 available

[TCWORLD]

Quick Update:

For all those who have placed an order, the latest batch is now built and the parcels are all packaged up read to put in the post tomorrow.

There are a total of 8 AstroEQs that are built up for anyone else who wishes to order one. If all of these sell, the next batch will probably be either June, July or August depending on when I am back in the UK. I didn't actually make it back this Easter, so I called in a favour and got someone back home to help with the final assembly of the current batch.

[garymck]

Hi,

are there any AstroEQ's left for purchase? if so I'd like one!

cheers
Gary

[TCWORLD]

Hi Gary,

Yep, still some available.

Regards,
Tom.

[garymck]

Hi Tom,

just one quick question before I order.

With a .9 degree stepper using 32 microsteps per full step driving a 360 tooth gear directly, what would the maximum slew speed be?

Aiming for around 600x

Is this possible?

cheers
Gary

[TCWORLD]

The answer to that depends on your motors and how much load is on them, so is not easy to answer. I can drive a 120mm refractor on an EQ5 at 400x with some rather small NEMA11 steppers with a 2.66:1 gear ratio in between (total ratio of 384:1). So depending on your motors, at least 400x should be achievable I would have thought. But again, I can only speculate.

[garymck]

Thanks Tom,

order made/paid today
cheers
Gary