Hi Tim,

Several things here.? First of all, those are NOT ports at the bottom the RA & DEC motor covers.? They allow access to tightening screws for the spring loaded gears.? Unless you have a problem in that area, just leave them alone.

?

To connect the mount to your PC I've found a reliable method in using a Tripp-lite Keyspan serial-to-USB connector.? I've never had a problem with them and I have several.

?

I suggest that you invest a few bucks in a decent 30A 12V power supply.? You'll never need anything like 30A, but, as you added other devices (camera, etc.) you'll be using more and more power.? Switching power supplies work well and they're very light and easy to transport.

?

Finally, I'm not sure what to do about new RA & DEC cables.? Celestron never carries parts for older models unless they just happen to have some left over parts.? They do not have any left over cables.? I'd like to find a source myself!

?

Ray Stann

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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim French
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 12:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [C14EdgeHD] understanding CGE pro mount

Hi Ray,

Thank you so much for this.? As a non engineer these problems appear like mountains when really they are molehills! (I hope)

I didn't have the mount connected to the computer as I was left a prehistoric serial A (RS 232) which went out with the dinosaurs!? I'm trying to find either conversion or new cable.

As to the RA/DEC cables they're "Iffy" and I guess their replacement easily solves one possible source of errors.

I'm getting a buddy from Vernon Telescopes to bring a better power supply,? I'm starving the mount with 0.5A when it needs, apparently, 2.5 - 5A

Can you tell me the identity of the two ports with silver caps? underneath? both? the RA and DEC motor drives?

Thanks again!? The online astro community has been a lifeline to me.? Keep in touch, and, thanks again; I'll let you know how?it goes.

Tim French

On Sun, Mar 7, 2021 at 9:48 AM Ray Stann <raystann@...> wrote:

Hi Tim.

?

I have two setups just like yours and I actually had the same problem in RA.? I?replaced the motor thinking that was the problem, but it wasn't.? A service tech from Celestron turned me onto the cable.? I undid both ends of the RA cable and?put them back and the mount worked again.? I was fortunate in that, besides having a spare motor (which wasn't needed as it turned out) to also having a spare cable, so I replaced the RA cable just to be on the safe side.? You might try this and see if it works.

?

Now, after saying all that, I was at my remote observatory last night and everything worked well until I tried to send the motors back to the switches.? You guessed it - the RA motor wouldn't move.? I was using NexRemote.? As a test I disconnected the cable to the PC and plugged in the HC and, surprisingly, everything worked well.? I suspect that the issue last night was a bad PC connection.

?

Regarding error 17, there are a couple of possible causes there.? A bad cable is one, but also you might get that error if you had both the PC cable connected and the HC at the same time.

?

Ray Stann

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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim French
Sent: Friday, March 5, 2021 9:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [C14EdgeHD] understanding CGE pro mount

Intro, I'm in the final few weeks of an observatory build and have bought a new C14 edgehd to go on a secondhand (hefty eh!) CGE - pro mount.? It will go onto a concrete pier with a custom made pier plate.

I have the mount on its?tripod?next? to me as I get to know it!!

I know it had been discontinued but for my budget, at the time it was a good fit.? I do have a BSc. hons in Astronomy and Physics when I was in the UK.now in Canada, BC.? However times and telescopes change.

My main problem........ The RA drive just stopped while heading East!? Then 90 degrees west quit again.? I thought it might be switch position or RA limits rather than a bad motor/encoder that I have read about.? But, then I noticed that the power adaptor that I was using - from my old C10- NGT on the CG5 mount - was only 0.5A!? The CGE pro needs 3-5A I discovered!? Also, the 2 RA/DEC connectors look....used and I will replace.

Do you think the RA problem might be a power issue?? A few moments ago as I powered up to play with the pro a bit, it came up with "error 17 recycle power"? I think that the mount is good, I need to learn some more which is fine but what do you think.anyone?

I managed to tear my bicep trying to lift the jolly thing too!? Ow!

Cheers?

Tim French