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1

General Discussion / Re: Astroeq problem has stopped working

« on: April 18, 2024, 13:23:45 »

Hi thanks for your prompt response
The RA motor is silent no hum, buzzing in RA motor, If I plug in RA into Dec it is still Non Functional
I have found out that the external RA cable to the motor does not show continuity on the rj11 plug on pins 2 and 3 which must be broken wires. I have replaced this but maybe the original RA cable may have broken the wires when the motor was powered. I have replaced a new motor but the controller might have shorted out. I will have to look to check out continuity on both my controllers. The one failing RA motor and the spare controller that will not check out to update the firmware

Regards Charles Clark

2

General Discussion / Re: Astroeq problem has stopped working

« on: April 17, 2024, 13:51:46 »

Hi, I have sorted out that i have managed to install the Astroeq firmware update managing to disinfect the problem with Bit defender. I have installed the Astroeq configuration program and have checked that the firmware is updated on one of my controllers. The firmware is installed in my download folder and is firmware update v3.9.3 with v8.20
EQMOD is v2.00w but this controller only operates in Dec axis. RA does not operate the motor
I am beginning to suspect that EQMOD v2.00w might be the problem

With the second controller which is the same DIY build when I try to update the firmware is starts out to overide the baud rate to an Arduino at 56700 baud and just fails

I think that all of my problems started of problems when updating the configuration utility and EQMODv2.00w

Have I missed something where the schematics diagram is needed

Anyone can give me some advice
Can I backtrack to any setups that are required for version 4.6 build

3

General Discussion / Astroeq problem has stopped working

« on: April 15, 2024, 17:48:43 »

Hi I have 2 Astroeq controllers which were working fine but for some reason my dec axis is working fine but RA stepper motor will not move. I found out that the drv8825 must be pretty hot because the plastic near those looked to melt. The voltage were sent as .4 volts which is o.8amps to the motor. I have changed DR8825 chips replaced and set up and even changed a new stepper motor Nema14 1.8 degrees at 0.8 amp. Even changed the external cables to the motor. I am now pulling out my hair. The DEC axis is fine but RA just sits with no movement.
I have looked on the Astroeq forum and I noticed some problems with arduino controllers which I think was due to 64bit version of Astroeq configuration. My version of Astroeq is a 4.6 version built up and I have downloaded the 8.2 version of Astroeq with Firmware update version 3.9.3.
I have tried running the configuration to make sure everything is the right software but when I run the program Bitdefender disinfects EQMODLoad.vbs and have to redisinfect it by Bitdefender but I do not know if this EQMODLoad.vbs has operated or if it can work this way.
The only choice I can have using ASTROEQ.exe is to use it as Run administrator but Bitdefender disinfects it to take it out of the bin folder.

Any help would be great and where are EQMOD logfiles stored

4

DIY AstroEQ / Re: Astroeq v4.6 diy build stopped working

« on: April 25, 2019, 15:59:25 »

Found the problem with this. It appears that the 12volt power supply rated at 4.5 amps is not man enough for the job. I found it works okay with a 5amp one but the lower rated one must be a cheapo and not delivering enough umph.
Regards
Charles Clark

5

DIY AstroEQ / Astroeq v4.6 diy build stopped working

« on: April 22, 2019, 22:30:03 »

Hi Tom my previous DIY build using your v 4.6 board has packed in for some reason. I thought it might have been a windows update or Bit defender virus protection but I am unable to suss it out. I have reloaded the AStroEQ Config utility and tried a number of usb cables. but while it sees the Comms port (5), when I try to upload the configuration the upload fails and I can see sync errors as it attempts to try 10 times.
Any ideas of what to try would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in anticipation Charles Clark

PS everything has been previously working fine for a while
Also could you let me know when you have some PCB boards in stock

6

AstroEQ Support / Re: EQMod not responding after firmware upgrade

« on: September 10, 2018, 11:13:50 »

Hi Tom thanks for that it now appears to be working okay, ie. No longerhanging up. I just need to sort out north, south, east,west direction. Still struggling to get my head around this. If anyone can point me a tutorial or give me a simple test to carry out, I would be grateful.
Regards
Charles Clark

7

AstroEQ Availability / PCB boards

« on: September 07, 2018, 08:56:48 »

Hi Tom can you advise me if you have any PCB boards available and when you would be to despatch one if you have
Regards
Charles Clark

8

AstroEQ Support / EQMod not responding after firmware upgrade

« on: September 07, 2018, 08:47:23 »

I Should have posted this in diy on build section

Hi I am hoping someone can help me with this. My v4.6 DIY build AstroEQ was working fine., but I was having some doubts as to whether I had the motor directions running the right way (NEMA 14's). So I decided to change a direction in the ASTRO EQ Config utility. On running this I checked for new firmware etc and I think the software upgraded from v8.12 to v8.13
I ran the v3.9 Config Utility and at first it failed to write back to the Eprom, It completed the write on the second attempt. When it then tries to run the test program to run with EQAscom the screen for it comes up but when I try to jog the motors in any direction I get the message eventually EQAscom is not responding. EQAscom was v2.0 and was previously working but I read somewhere in the forum that there was a problem with v2.0 and the latest software. So I reverted back to v1.29 of EQASCom as suggested,but this did not solve the problem.
I the tried v2.0 of EQAscom with v8.12  but this has not solved the issue.
I have also tried various known good USB cables but the problem still exists
I am beginning to think something has gone awri with my controller board.
Any kind person out there able to point me in the right direction before I start pulling the board to bits
Regards
Charles Clark

9

DIY AstroEQ / Re: RA tracking speed

« on: September 03, 2018, 19:28:52 »

Hi, I to have an eq5 mount with an astroeq controller. I was wondering what configuration settings to use.
If anyone is using an astroeq controller on a an eq5 mount with the custom pulleys as per defined bt Tom Carpenter i would be grateful. I am not convinced that mine points to the right object selected in Carte du Ciel.
I am testing in daylight trying to point to sun bit it appears to be way off the mark.
I am using eqascom to drive the controller via carte du ceil.
I am particularly interested what micro step settings to use.
Also I cannot get my head round which way the mount revolves when jogging east west, North south with eqascom. If it could be described as revolving clockwise or anticlockwise when turning in ra and Dec when viewed from counter balance arm when the scope is parked pointing to nip that would be great.
Thanks
Charles Clark

10

AstroEQ Availability / Re: AstroEQ Availability [Currently Unavailable]

« on: March 18, 2017, 10:39:09 »

Hi can you please let me know when you will have a batch of Astroeq's for sale and put me down on the list
Thanks
Hi I have decided to have a go at assembling one myself with pcb and ic purchased from yourself . Can you pleas advise on availability.  I have placed an order for the same, if there are none currently available can you please put me on the list.
I have ordered from Farnell the required parts from your list, can you please advise if this is the latest build standard to include ST4,  if no can you please update me with one,
Regards