Some one loaned me a mount... it don't work

[slitherjef]

I have been out of a mount for a while now, but I had a buddy who was not using his Atlas non go-to so he let me borrow it. It is an older model, with no guide port, no firmware to upgrade and so on.

First problem I had was I could not get my scope mounted to it, but after giving it a day and removing the tube rings and dovetail, I got one of my scopes on it. So I fired it up and nothing :(

When pressing the RA buttons to slew the scope, the only thing that happened was I heard a click. That is more then the DEC buttons gave me. I figured it was the batteries so I picked up some fresh ones, loaded em up and same thing! :cry:

When I press my ear to the mount and press a button I can hear a bit of humming. I took the cap off for the DEC shaft and seen it moved (very slowly) at 16x. I was unable to remove the cap to see if the RA shaft was moving.

I am bummed out. Anyone have any ideas? I have already told my friend what was going on with the mount. I am just waiting to see if I hear the "It worked fine when I had it, so you broke it" comment :rolleyes:

I know he has not used it for a while

[Catanonia]

Change the slew rate to the fastest.

[slitherjef]

Change the slew rate to the fastest.
I did. Still no obvious movement of the scope at 16x (thats as fast as it will slew)

[Nighthound]

I would start with the connection of the hand controller. Those phone jack connections can get corroded easily from being outside in the damp air. Take a look and see if the contact points look dark rather than brass or gold in color. I have a pen-like sander that is used to repair paint knicks on cars that works well in the port connector. See if you can scuff some brightness back into those contacts but be careful not to damage them. If this doesn't work than you may have a motor issue. If you have a meter and are knowledgeable with electronics you can test them to see if they're bad.

If the motors check out ok then it can likely be the hand controller. If you can get the cover off you can inspect it for a possible loose internal connections. Beyond that you may just need a replacement controller.

EDIT: It's possible that the controller cable is bad too. Not sure if it can be replaced independently of the controller.

[slitherjef]

It works. The problem? Me :oops:
After marking a couple lines on the scope with a pencil, hooking things up and turning the power on. I walked away for 20 or so minutes. Came back and the lines where broken. The mount moves and pressing the RA/DEC buttons, does cause the mount to slew, albeit slower then I thought it should.

Next step is to get the mount out side under some clear skies and piggy back the camera and lens on the newt, that is, you know, if I can figure out how the screw works :eyes LOL