Project:
EQDirect cable, EQ6, HEQ5 mounts

Contents:

1. EQDirect 9 pin D-sub cable
2. Adapter 9 pin D-sub to RJ45
3. EQDirect RJ45 cable
4. Wireless control of EQ6, HEQ5 mounts
5. To be continued

Note:
I take no responsibility or liability for what are written here, you use the information on your own risk!

4: Wireless control of EQ6, HEQ5 mounts

All the cables that's is needed between the different devices get me nuts sometimes. Can the number of cables be reduced, especially the cable that goes to the mount. High danger for cable tangles.

Mount USB cable:

This is how it looks like on my SkyWatcher HEQ5 mount. The USB control cable sticks out from the mount, over the night the RA and DEC axis rotate and it can be a danger for tangles on the cables. It can rip of the circuit board's socket. If this cable could be replaced by some wireless device it will be much safer.

This is my SkyWatcher EQ6 mount, same problem here.

Many years ago I found an English company selling BlueTooth adapters that could do this, but they are sold out today. There are WIFI dongles to buy, but my WIFI is setup to a Hot Spot and can't be used for something else at the same time.

I did a research if there is something that can be used:

• https://fritzing.org/ projects/ eqmod-eqdirect-bluetooth-adapter(Fritzing)
• https://www.dewcontrol.com/ AZEQ6_Bluetooth_Adapter/ p3099125_13437767.aspx(DEW Control)
• https://hive.blog/ steemstem/ ... building-a-bluetooth-adapter-for-the-skywatcher ...(Hive Blog, Kevin)

It looks to be very easy to built. They use the BlueTooth circuit HC-05 or HC-06. HC-06 is simpler and can only work as a slave, but good enough for this purpose. One thing that make it more complicated, the EQ6 and HEQ5 mounts use 5 volt logic, the BlouTooth use 3.3 volt logic. The mount deliver 12 volt on the D-Sub 9 pin contact, the BlueTooth needs 5 volts to power it.

Here is one idea how to solve the difference in the logic's voltage:

• https://arduino.stackexchange.com/ questions/ 10472/ hc-06-bluetooth-rx-tx-voltage-3v3-5v(Arduino)

The 12 volt to 5 volt problem can be solved by a simple DC/DC converter.

This is something I will give a try to in the future. But there can be a problem, latency in the transfer of data can disturb the auto guiding process.