Intermittent hand controler power loss, CP4...
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C. G. Anderson
Sigh... OK. I admit. The MAIN reason I purchased the new CP4 was for it's robust power connection. Hoping it would eliminate the intermittent power loss issues I have historically experienced on my hand controller, you know-- the click pop, reset, issue that has been around for years, I was shocked to experience this this issue AGAIN twice this week. I don't think the CP4 is losing power. Not for sure on this, as it is over my head (literally) when this happens. The mount is just sitting there, tracking, when it "pops" and resets to the opening screen. I've yanked and jiggled on every cable there is. Can't get it to do it. Yet it happens when I'm seated a few feet away not touching anything. I swapped power supplies, dual Pyramid PS15KX 10 Amp 13.8 volt models, and also swapped the cigarette adapter supplied with the CP4 to the terminal clamp hookup. Still happens. I read somewhere a suggestion for opening up the hand controller and spraying the contacts with DetoxIT cleaner?
Though my hand controller was purchased in 1998, I'd like to get this issue resolved. That "click pop" is like a baby screaming at 2AM to me! Any suggestions? Just left it in PARK mode for two hours, and no power loss. GAH! CG |
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Wayne Hixson
May not be it, but I had trouble with the Pyramid power supply protection system glitching when I used the cigarette lighter adapter.
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On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, 3:24 PM, chris@... [ap-gto] wrote:
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C. G. Anderson
Yeah, but it started when I had the CP4 attached via the pole terminals..... CG
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Roland Christen
I swapped power supplies, dual Pyramid PS15KX 10 Amp 13.8 volt models, and also swapped the cigarette a dapter supplied with the CP4 to the terminal clamp hookup. Still happens. Well, unfortunately you are chasing the tail when there is probably something wrong with the mouth. ;^)). Your power supply is most likely just fine. The issue will be inside the keypad at the power connector contacts. The contacts need to be cleaned, and you can do this, and nothing bad will happen. Just remove the screws on the back of the keypad, follow the wires to the connector, pull the connector off and expose the connector pins.
After careful cleaning of the pins, you can put a bit of connector grease on them, which will seal out the air and prevent future corrosion. The contact cleaner and contact grease are both available at most electronic stores, complete with instructions as to how to do this.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: chris@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Tue, Sep 6, 2016 5:24 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Intermittent hand controler power loss, CP4... Sigh...
OK. I admit. The MAIN reason I purchased the new CP4 was for it's robust power connection. Hoping it would eliminate the intermittent power loss issues I have historically experienced on my hand controller, you know-- the click pop, reset, issue that has been around for years, I was shocked to experience this this issue AGAIN twice this week.
I don't think the CP4 is losing power. Not for sure on this, as it is over my head (literally) when this happens. The mount is just sitting there, tracking, when it "pops" and resets to the opening screen. I've yanked and jiggled on every cable there is. Can't get it to do it. Yet it happens when I'm seated a few feet away not touching anything.
I swapped power supplies, dual Pyramid PS15KX 10 Amp 13.8 volt models, and also swapped the cigarette a
dapter supplied with the CP4 to the terminal clamp hookup. Still happens.
I read somewhere a suggestion for opening up the hand controller and spraying the contacts with DetoxIT cleaner?
Though my hand controller was purchased in 1998, I'd like to get this issue resolved. That "click pop" is like a baby screaming at 2AM to me! Any suggestions? Just left it in PARK mode for two hours, and no power loss.
GAH!
CG
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The AP website Technical Support is your friend!! Try these links. Of course, the power connector issue in the third link no longer applies to the GTOCP4.
http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad/KEYPRO-on-off.pdf http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad/open-close.pdf http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/resetting.pdf
DeoxIT D5 from Caig Labs is among the best contact cleaners. Permatex 81150 Dielectric Tune-up grease is a highly regarded contact grease. Be careful with contact grease. Remember that it is conductive. Use it sparingly and remove any excess!
Mag. 7 Skies!
Howard Hedlund Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-282-1513 Please include this e-mail with your response.
P Consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...]
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 11:52 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Intermittent hand controler power loss, CP4...
Well, unfortunately you are chasing the tail when there is probably something wrong with the mouth. ;^)). Your power supply is most likely just fine. The issue will be inside the keypad at the power connector contacts. The contacts need to be cleaned, and you can do this, and nothing bad will happen. Just remove the screws on the back of the keypad, follow the wires to the connector, pull the connector off and expose the connector pins.
After careful cleaning of the pins, you can put a bit of connector grease on them, which will seal out the air and prevent future corrosion. The contact cleaner and contact grease are both available at most electronic stores, complete with instructions as to how to do this.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
Sigh...
OK. I admit. The MAIN reason I purchased the new CP4 was for it's robust power connection. Hoping it would eliminate the intermittent power loss issues I have historically experienced on my hand controller, you know-- the click pop, reset, issue that has been around for years, I was shocked to experience this this issue AGAIN twice this week.
I don't think the CP4 is losing power. Not for sure on this, as it is over my head (literally) when this happens. The mount is just sitting there, tracking, when it "pops" and resets to the opening screen. I've yanked and jiggled on every cable there is. Can't get it to do it. Yet it happens when I'm seated a few feet away not touching anything.
I swapped power supplies, dual Pyramid PS15KX 10 Amp 13.8 volt models, and also swapped the cigarette a dapter supplied with the CP4 to the terminal clamp hookup. Still happens.
I read somewhere a suggestion for opening up the hand controller and spraying the contacts with DetoxIT cleaner?
Though my hand controller was purchased in 1998, I'd like to get this issue resolved. That "click pop" is like a baby screaming at 2AM to me! Any suggestions? Just left it in PARK mode for two hours, and no power loss. GAH!
CG
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C. G. Anderson
I had a dog, and his name was Bingo! I cleaned all the contacts inside the hand controller, then added contact grease. So far, no other power issues.
Thanks you all! CG |
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Roland Christen
Great!
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: chris@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Mon, Sep 12, 2016 4:21 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Intermittent hand controler power loss, CP4... I had a dog, and his name was Bingo! I cleaned all the contacts inside the hand controller, then added contact grease. So far, no other power issues. Thanks you all!
CG
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