Back to forums

AM5 Hitting Tripod Leg While Moving East During Polar Alignment

ZWO ASIAIR Plus Equatorial Mount Troubleshooting
ZWO AM5 •9 replies•282 views
Jerry Gerber avatar
Jerry Gerber avatar
Hello!

Last night a poor cable connection caused the ASIAIR Plus to lose power at the same time the AM5 was slewing westward during the initial polar alignment procedure. 

The mount reached the tripod leg and couldn't move any further.  I had no control over it with the app so after a few moments I realized I had to turn the AM5 off. 

I wrote to ZWO and tech support said there would not be any damage to the mount but any connectors that got bent due to cable snag could happen; luckily that didn't. 

I proceeded to image and guide well without issue after I fixed the loose connection and restored power to the ASIAIR.

Has anyone had this happen and if so, did you notice any changes in the AM5's behavior?

Thanks!
Jerry
Helpful Engaging
John Sims avatar
John Sims avatar
Hi Gerry,
I've never encountered this situation, but I have found that the ASIAir and AM5 seem to be susceptible to power problems. I've lost three nights of photographing due to power failure of one sort or another, with different indications/symptoms.
- ASIAir looses connection to: Guide Camera; AM5. Re-boot may regain connection, but may fail again.
- ASIAir wifi stops working
- PA does not work: After initial photo/plate solve, it never slews to take second image.
I believe all of these events were related to power problems, or cable connections. 
During these situations I was using 10Amps into the AM5, and pulling the power for the ASIAir from the AM5. While I have used this configuration many times without problems, when it is cold/humid, and I'm using dew heaters, cooled camera, and the dew heater on the camera sensor, it seems to stress the systems to the point of failure.
I now have separate power for the Air and AM5. So far, so good. In fairness, I've only changed to separate power supplies three nights ago, so will wait and see.
Just my .02 cents.
John
Helpful
Jerry Gerber avatar
Jerry Gerber avatar
John Sims:
Hi Gerry,
I've never encountered this situation, but I have found that the ASIAir and AM5 seem to be susceptible to power problems. I've lost three nights of photographing due to power failure of one sort or another, with different indications/symptoms.
- ASIAir looses connection to: Guide Camera; AM5. Re-boot may regain connection, but may fail again.
- ASIAir wifi stops working
- PA does not work: After initial photo/plate solve, it never slews to take second image.
I believe all of these events were related to power problems, or cable connections. 
During these situations I was using 10Amps into the AM5, and pulling the power for the ASIAir from the AM5. While I have used this configuration many times without problems, when it is cold/humid, and I'm using dew heaters, cooled camera, and the dew heater on the camera sensor, it seems to stress the systems to the point of failure.
I now have separate power for the Air and AM5. So far, so good. In fairness, I've only changed to separate power supplies three nights ago, so will wait and see.
Just my .02 cents.
John

Hi John,

I rarely have power issues with the ASIAIR Plus and have never had them with the AM5.  This wasn't a hardware glitch or failure, it was a cable that wasn't fully in its port.   My question is about damage to the AM5 caused from butting up against the tripod leg while trying to move...
Well Written
John Sims avatar
John Sims avatar
I would argue that this is a failure of the AM5. It should stop whenever the connection to the ASIAir is lost. What part of your imaging train collided with the tripod leg? I gather nothing was bend/damaged, so fortunate for you.
Jerry Gerber avatar
Jerry Gerber avatar
John Sims:
I would argue that this is a failure of the AM5. It should stop whenever the connection to the ASIAir is lost. What part of your imaging train collided with the tripod leg? I gather nothing was bend/damaged, so fortunate for you.

Maybe the AM5 did stop, I was in panic mode and it was dark so I am not sure.  In any event I went on to image that evening and everything was good, including my guiding accuracy, so I was lucky.  Next time I will ensure good connections!
astrojuanan avatar
astrojuanan avatar
[pre]My problem with AM5 started very recently, but I've been having it for a few days. The problem is that it doesn't work with NINA. Everything seems to be configured correctly. I don't know if anyone else has had a similar problem and knows the solution.

CS
astrojunan[/pre]
ScottF avatar
ScottF avatar
Do you have a pier extension?
astrojuanan avatar
astrojuanan avatar
[pre]No, the extension it has is the rigid one that is complete.[/pre]
Brian Boyle avatar
Brian Boyle avatar
Hi Jerry,

I helped a friend start astroimaging, and I recommended an ASKAR FRA600 + AM5 mount.  I was really embarrassed that, on its first outing, the telescope was driven into the tripod legs - breaking a cable.  No lasting damage to the mount, but perhaps to my reputation.  My friend had to buy the pier extension to stop this happening again.   A bit of poor design by ZWO, really.  But you are clearly not alone.
Well Written Concise
Aloke Palsikar avatar
Aloke Palsikar avatar
I have an AM5 N Mount with regular Tripod.  I have not encountered this issue anytime in my Polar Alignment process.  Probably the issue lies in how your setup is wired and how the ASI Air is fixed relative to the Mount.  Best is if both move together to avoid any strain on the cables

The  starting point of  Scope in All Sky Polar alignment is  important.  As per ZWO, one should avoid pointing it either Eastwards or Westwards.  I normally start the PA process pointing in South East direction and the movement happens westwards and works well

You may want to check this out