With the Day Star burning bright and hot above, both SRTs were subjected to a full service. After noticing extensive oxidation on almost every contact within the mount drive system, it was decided to completely rewire, replace and refurbish all that could be stripped from the machines. What we believed to be of the most importance was the state of the grounding connection on the Southern SRT. In its heavily corroded state it was more than likely the cause of the frequent tracking errors and arbitrary “stow” behaviour.
Tinned Tips
The reed switch magnets were secured to the azimuth drive shaft using a silicon adhesive to prevent slipping, ruling it out as a possible cause for loss of magnet counts. In addition, the homing pin in the limit switch for azimuth control on the Northern SRT was missing its insulation, and while this should not cause a short circuit, I prefer to have my Ship squared away. Liberal coatings of anti-rusting agents and CRC finished the job, and tomorrow a coating of silicon film spray will ensure the machine remains weather resistant for the near future.
Insulated Homing Pin
Corroded Contacts
**EDIT**
After a full service, the Southern SRT did not respond to any input the very next morning. Multimeter tests show that current is present at the drive housing, however the control software does not recognise the hardware. After a further full day of troubleshooting (and some Linux Voodoo Magic on behalf of Dr A Hotan), it turns out our Tin Man just needs a new brain; that is, the hardware interface module. It would appear that the previous interface module has an issue with sending signal, but not power to the SRT itself. Swapping the interface module out with the SRT-North’s resolved this, and so a new box will be ordered.
It may be prudent to order more than one…
