Setting up the HDX-110 for the New Dome
This is the original version of the HDX-110 which is basically a rebranded Skywatcher EQ-8. I originally purchased just the mount and hand controller because I was mounting it on a permanent pier and didn't need a tripod.
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It's now 2023 and this is the first time the mount has been out of its case since 2017. It doesn't appear to be any worse off for its time in storage, but there's probably some firmware updates by now for the hand controller or motor driver board.
I didn't notice until I unpacked the mount that the transport case was damaged during the move. One roller has been pushed into the bottom, cracking the outer formica and damaging the inner fiber board. There's no damage to the mount itself, but now I have to repair the case. Funny thing is I had another case with just a circular hole in its bottom from the altitude jack screw, and it was in better shape than this one is now, but I gave it to a friend for his HDX-110 when I moved. Oh well. |
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Since I don't have an EQ-8 tripod I'm making an adapter plate to allow me to temporarily attach the mount to my Celestron Ultima tripod for testing.
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The adapter is an old pier plate I used with my Ultima-8 back around 2003. It's 1-1/2" thick plywood and I just needed to add the mounting holes for the HDX-110, plus an azimuth adjustment pin. I'll also need spacers when mounting it to the tripod so I can get a wrench underneath to tight the mount's center bolt.
The white acrylic disc goes between the adapter and the mount to provide a smooth surface for the mount to slip on when making azimuth adjustments. |
After I purchased the mount in 2014 and set it up for computerized control, I packed the hand controller away. Now, nine years and two moves later, I have no idea where it is.
I've also lost the mount's power cable. I wonder what else I'm missing and just haven't realized it yet. Moving is always so much fun...
I've also lost the mount's power cable. I wonder what else I'm missing and just haven't realized it yet. Moving is always so much fun...
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After days of searching I finally found the power cable in a box of cables pulled from the old obs, but still no sign of the hand controller.
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After a couple of weeks searching I finally found it! My storage got reorganized in the process, and turns out it wasn't even in there. It was in the lab under a bench almost hiding in plain sight.
I just want it for initial testing, until everything is set up on the new computer again, but not knowing where it had gotten off to was really bugging me. |
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It's finally mounted on the tripod. Now I can test all the functions, update the firmware and setup the computer software and drivers.
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After another quick search I found the EQDIR serial to TTL converter for controlling the mount from a computer.
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I also found one of my 12VDC power supplies to power everything. It's a linear regulated supply so no switching noise to interfere with anything. It's actually 13.8VDC which is the full charge voltage of a 12-volt lead-acid battery. Now I need to build a small custom power distribution box to connect my gear.
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While searching for the hand controller I also found the side-by-side saddle plates for the C-11 SCT and AT6RC astrograph. It's slowly all coming together.
I need the saddle plates installed so I can decide where to mount a 4-port USB 3.0 hub and the power distribution box. Looks like they'll fit on the underside top and bottom ends of the C-11 saddle. For some reason the black anodizing on the Farpoint V-dovetail saddle is fading to bare aluminum, but the other parts look fine. |
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The 4-port powered USB 3.0 hub mounts with Velcro under the top end of the D-saddle for the C-11. To eliminate running its AC power adapter cable down to the pier, I made a custom power cable for it to connect to the 5VDC USB port on the power distribution box. One less wire coming off the mount to get tangled up on the pier.
The 12VDC power distribution hub is also attached with Velcro under the bottom end of the D-saddle. The screw-on power connectors are 5.5mm/2.1mm. Plus inside their is a 12V to 5V converter with a USB Type A output connector. The 12-volt "cigarette" plug from this hub will go to a 12VDC distribution hub on the pier.
The mount itself will also get its power from the pier's 12-volt hub.
The 12VDC power distribution hub is also attached with Velcro under the bottom end of the D-saddle. The screw-on power connectors are 5.5mm/2.1mm. Plus inside their is a 12V to 5V converter with a USB Type A output connector. The 12-volt "cigarette" plug from this hub will go to a 12VDC distribution hub on the pier.
The mount itself will also get its power from the pier's 12-volt hub.
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The 12-volt power connector was rotating a bit while screwing on the power plug, so I popped the cover plate off the mount to have a look at it. They put hot glue on the nut to lock it in place, but it's come loose. The problem is they used a smooth, round split lock washer under the nut that doesn't grip at all. I replaced it with an internal tooth lock washer and now it snugs right down. Since I had it open I also took a photo of the motor controller PCB and the wiring for the motors and encoders.
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After fussing with serial and USB ports for a night and a day I finally have the mount connected in Linux. I'm using Kstars with Ekos plus Indi with the Indi-EQMod driver. I'm now able to select a target in Kstars and command the mount to go to it. It's the first time I've managed to do this without Windows. It was a good day.
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To be continued...
Page created 1/31/2023
Last update 3/19/2023
Last update 3/19/2023
