Astromart

October 18, 2007 08:21 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

an old Meade drive corrector

I am trying to get some help on the feasibility of modifying my old Meade dual-axis corrector to accept an ST-4 port for autoguiding (see photo). The hardware is available from shoestring astronomy.com). I am not that experienced in electronics so I would need a step-by-step recipe. Thanks in advance.

Michael Hamburg

October 23, 2007 01:47 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

an old Meade drive corrector

Posted By Michael Hamburg

I am posting a picture of the hand controller without the cover. I hope that helps someone help me analyze the electronics. I really need the help. Thanks. Michael Hamburg

October 26, 2007 08:45 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

inside view

Posted By Michael Hamburg

This is another view of the hand controller's insides. 8O

April 7, 2008 01:43 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

ST 4 relay box

Posted By Michael Hamburg

:S Where have all the ST4 relay boxes gone? I need one to run a JMI MotoTrak V.
Michael
I have learned that the MotoTrak V will work fine with Shoestring Astronomy's GPUSB interface. Hooray!

May 23, 2008 04:28 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

electronic focusing

Posted By Michael Hamburg

:S My initial setup will be an Orion 80mm ED riding atop a Meade DS16. A Canon 40D will be the imaging camera hooked up to the Orion. A Meade DSI will be the guider hooked up to the DS16. I am investigating remote electronic focusing and would appreciate any advice on the best route to go. I was thinking Orion's Accufocus for the 80mm, but don't know what would work with the DS 16 which has an older JMI Crayford-style 2" focuser.I plan to control the focus through a PC. Thanks for all replies.

May 27, 2008 03:24 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Help with a JMI MotoTrak V

Posted By Michael Hamburg

Hello;
I recently bought a MotoTrak V on Astromart and all seemed well. The power LED came on when it was plugged in. When I hooked it up to my telescope (an old Meade DS 16) however, the MotoTrak barely turned the Dec motor and then died. All subsequent attempts to power it up have failed. I realize I was unsure of the amperage needed so I initially used a 12v 1 amp transformer (too weak for the RA motor, probably). Not being set up to run any diagnostics on the unit, I am looking for advice and real help. This unit was not cheap! I would like to know :
-what did I do wrong?
-is the unit fixable or permanently fried?
-what amperage do I need to run the RA motor of a DS 16?
-does anybody know anything about the MotoTrak after all these years?

I appreciate any and all replies.

Best wishes and in need of real help,

Michael Hamburg

June 30, 2008 01:39 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

focuser control

Posted By Michael Hamburg

Does anyone know if Orion's AccuFocus will work with an older JMI NGFDX3 focuser? JMI recommends its own proprietary and expensive retrofit and Orion hasn't tested JMI equipment. Also can software other than JMI's own run the focuser? I appreciate all replies. Thanks. :S

February 26, 2010 11:39 PM Forum: AstroMart FAQ