MORNING STAR OBSERVATORY
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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.

Picture
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 and 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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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...

Picture
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.

Picture
​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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
Picture
​The 4-port powered USB 3.0 hub mounts with Velcro under the top end of the D-dovetail for the C-11. To eliminate running the AC power adapter cable for it down to the pier, I added a 5VDC USB Type A output to the power distribution hub on the mount and made a custom power cable for it. 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-dovetail. 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 also gets its power from the pier's 12-volt hub.

Picture
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.

Picture
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's a good day.


To be continued...

Page created 1/31/2023
​Last update 3/19/2023
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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Astrophotography
  • The Observatory
    • The New Observatory
    • - About the ExploraDome
    • - About the Lancaster Dome
    • - Building the Lancaster Dome
  • Equipment
    • CCD Cameras >
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
      • QSI 683WS
      • ZWO ASI-178MM
    • Eyepieces
    • Filters
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX-110 (EQ-8) >
        • New HDX-110 Setup
        • Orion HDX110 EQ-8
    • Observatory Computers
    • Telescopes >
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • Arduino Focuser
    • C11 XLT Mods
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Ultima 8 Mods
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Boat Anchor Radios >
        • BC-348N Receiver
        • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • R-392 HF Receiver
      • DIY >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Heathkit >
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Knight-Kit >
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • 1938 Zenith 6-S-254
        • Echophone EC-1
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
    • Geiger Counters >
      • AN/PDR-27G Radiac Set
      • Lionel CD V-700 Geiger Counter
      • RCA WF-12A Geiger Counter
    • Test Equipment >
      • DIY Test Equipment >
        • DIY Curve Tracer
        • DIY Signature Tracer
      • Military Test Equipment >
        • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
        • LM-21 Frequency Meter
        • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
        • TS-465 C/U Sweep Generator
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • Tube Testers >
        • Alternating Current Sink
        • Drug Store Tester
        • EMC Model 200 Tube Tester
        • Hickok Model 6000A Tube Tester
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Precise Model 111 Tube Tester
        • Precision Model 10-12
        • Supreme Model 385
        • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
      • VTVMs and Multimeters >
        • B&K Model 290 Hi-Low FET Multimeter
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • McMurdo Silver VOMAX 900
        • Micronta 22-220 FET Multimeter
        • Simpson 360-2 Digital FET DMM
        • TS-505D/U VTVM
      • Hickok >
        • Hickok 19X RF Generator
        • Hickok 225K VTVM
        • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Hickok OZ-1 (550X)
        • Hickok 6000A Tube Tester
      • Simpson >
        • Simpson 360 DMM
        • Simpson 360-2 DMM
        • Simpson 480 Genescope
      • Supreme Instruments >
        • Supreme 385 Automatic
        • Supreme 560 Vedolyzer
        • Supreme 560A Vedolyzer
        • Supreme Model 561 AF/RF Generator
        • Supreme's Model 562 Audolyzer
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1941
        • Supreme Model 562 Audolyzer circa 1946
        • Supreme Model 563 Audio Generator
        • Supreme Model 576 RF Generator
      • Other Test Equipment >
        • Heathkit IT-28 Capacitor Tester
        • Rider 162 Chanalyst
        • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • VU-Data Model 941B Oscilloscope
    • ---------------
    • Fossils
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Star Trek >
      • Star Trek Rock Mood Lamp
      • Star Trek Communicator