AP drive control problem

Hi all,

I am looking for some help. The observatory I am using has a Mountain Instruments mount with an Astro Physics drive control. I normally control the drive system from a computer using The Sky 6 pro.

When I turn everything on, I use the AP key pad to point the telescope at a convienient object and then "sync" The Sky.

The past couple of times I have used the system, the AP control does not seem to boot up correctly. The key pad just reads "Astro Physics Version 4.12". Nothing seems to be able to make the key pad show anything different, nor will the key pad move the telescope in any way. I can still drive the telescope using The Sky, but I am at a loos as to what might have happened with the AP control system.

Anyone have any ideas? Any help would be apreciated.

Regards,

Maurice

Maurice Clark said:

The past couple of times I have used the system, the AP control does not seem to boot up correctly. The key pad just reads "Astro Physics Version 4.12". Nothing seems to be able to make the key pad show anything different, nor will the key pad move the telescope in any way. I can still drive the telescope using The Sky, but I am at a loos as to what might have happened with the AP control system.

Maurice

Disconnect the computer and everything except the keypad and servo cables from the controller. Verify that the power to the mount is >12VDC and that the pins are clean with good contact on both the power and on the keypad. Power up and see if the keypad will communicate with the mount. If not, one possibility is that the battery in the keypad needs replacing. Another possibility is that the contacts inside the keypad are corroded. Check the Astro-Physics website for more information about either and what to look for/how to repair.