Ngc Max 'Encoder error'

Hi folks,
I have a G8 on a cg5. It comes with DSC – Ngc Max. The latter is primarily the reason for posting this message. I got the whole package recently (used) and I have problems to either polar align or star align. I connect the cables to RA and DEC encoders respectively, making sure that I haven't swapped cables. One is marked ‘Dec’ so no confusion there. I turn ‘on’ Ngc Max. I go into the ‘Setup’ menu. I select ‘GQ’ hit enter, then 'Scroll – 5' hit enter. As soon as I do this ‘Encoder error’ is displayed. I force ahead and select ‘Chart SA’ hit enter. ‘AZ +08192’ is displayed I hit enter several times, ‘encoder error’ is displayed I force ahead, ‘AL +08192’ is displayed I hit enter several times before it reverts to ‘Set up’. Will someone tell me why my encoder throws this error. I know the battery is good, the cables are good and not damaged, the cables connected correctly to RA and DEC. I even tried switching the cables and it didn’t help.
If I choose to go into ‘Encoder’ menu and hit enter, ‘encoder error’ is displayed. It wont even go into displaying ‘ER = 000 ED = +000’. When I tried it yesterday it would allow me to go into ‘Encoder’ but as soon as I turn the scope on RA axis ‘ER = 005 ED = +000’ would slowly increase then display ‘encoder error’. I made sure I turned the OTA really slow about 10 degrees per second. I was out 3 nights with this scope hoping that I would stumble and fix the problem but none. I don't think that there was any problem with DSC, I trust the seller. Please help. I am a newbie so please list if you have any suggestions. Thanks.
Jay

Jay,

I have the NGC-Max. You may have to enter encoder #1 as a (-)negative number (-08192). If you can easily dismount the encoders you can turn them slowly by hand while in the encoder test page. I once had a brand new encoder that did not work. They are fussy and can be damaged as they are optical and subject to static discharge. Try the negative then get back to us and let us know if it works.

Jay,
I have a JMI mini-max on one of my dobs. The most frequent causes of "encoder error" in my experience are: 1.Low battery--a 9 volt lasts about three full observing nights of about 8 hours per night or less and it's "encoder error" on the scroll line. 2. Faulty cable--most likely at the encoder pin connections. Try a new cable with a new connector. 3. Make sure your unit is set to the proper mount and not on dob or alt/azimuth setting. 4. There may be a bad encoder. I would check the battery, pin connectors and encoder settings on the max and then call JMI and ask to speak to the tech. She walked me through a procedure over the phone and we identified a bad pin connector as a cause of encoder error when I encountered the problem a few years ago. My unit has worked fine after installing a new cable. I hope this helps.

Jay,

Here's the setup for CG5 from the JMI docs:
GQ or GP
series B encoders: ra=+4096*, dec=+4320
series C encoders: ra=+8192, dec=+8192
* using a C series encoder for a B series installation to increase total resolution

Not sure what the footnote implies, but that's what it says.


sf

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions, the culprit was 9v battery. Replaced battery, no more encoder errors. The old battery was putting out 2v, hard to imagine that the display was bright as ever. I never suspected it, thought it would display 'low battery'. It didn't.
Jay