Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

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Moonstruck
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Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:34 pm

Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

#1

Post by Moonstruck »

I have a question on my EQ6-R-Pro mount's slew limits that maybe you can answer. Last night I was using Sharpcap in conjunction with EQMOD and Stellarium, and as the scope was slewing to a target (M101 in this case, which was very high in the sky, near the zenith), it stopped just before reaching it, and I got a Sharpcap error message that I couldn't continue slewing to the target because the mount's limits had been reached. I don't remember the exact wording of the message, but the gist of it was that it would not slew anymore, and it just stopped right there. Do you know if I can eliminate this restriction somehow? Is it a Sharpcap, EQMOD or Stellarium setting, and how do I change it? I am thinking it is a precautionary function to prevent the telescope from being at a difficult angle and hitting the mount, but I am not sure. Or does it have something to do with crossing the meridian?? if you know how I can avoid getting this message in the future (i.e., some setting I can adjust somewhere), I'd really appreciate it.
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Menno555
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Re: Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

#2

Post by Menno555 »

In cases like this SharpCap is just the messenger saying that something is going on.
To me it sounds indeed like reaching the meridian. The mounts stops, SharpCap notices it and delivers the message.
I don't know your mount but in its settings there should be an option for an automatic meridian flip with some options. Probably it's set now to stop at the meridian. When enabled, the mount will slew automatically to a new position behind the meridian where it can continue.

Menno
Meade LX200 8" f/10 ACF OTA / Ioptron CEM25EC / Zwo ASI071MC Pro / Zwo ASI482MC
Moonstruck
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:34 pm

Re: Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

#3

Post by Moonstruck »

Thanks. I have an EQ6-R-Pro mount. I'll check the Meridian flip settings in EQMOD.
Moonstruck
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:34 pm

Re: Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

#4

Post by Moonstruck »

Menno- I just checked EQMOD and you were correct - the mount limits were enabled. I unchecked the "enable limits" box so I should be all set now. Thanks again.
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admin
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Re: Mount reached limits and would no longer slew- question on settings

#5

Post by admin »

Hi,

be careful if you have disabled the limits - going past the limits can lead to things bumping into other things (like telescopes or cameras into the mount body or tripod). Rather than disable the limits, make sure that they are all set correctly (along with your time, latitude and longitude). If your lat/long are incorrect for instance then you might hit the horizon limit when the mount looks to you to be pointing high in the sky, since the horizon is calculated to be in the wrong place.

cheers,

Robin
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