Blinking HEQ5 Power Light
Today I Learned (TIL) a valuable lesson from a friend about the importance of paying attention to equipment warnings in astrophotography. My friend shared that ignoring a blinking power light on his HEQ5 mount had potentially ruined his light frames. This experience taught me that it's crucial to learn from others' mistakes before making my own.
If the power light on your HEQ5 mount is blinking, it may be an indication that
the battery is running low or that the power source is unstable. It's essential
to switch to a fresh battery, connect to a car battery, or use an
Ignoring the warning signs and continuing to operate the mount with a low or unstable power source could result in ruined light frames, which could be incredibly frustrating after a long night of astrophotography. By taking the time to switch to a fresh battery or stable power source, you can avoid losing a whole night's worth of data and ensure that your astrophotography results are of the highest quality possible.
It's important to note that while it's crucial to pay attention to warning signs from equipment, it's also essential to use your own judgment. If your sub-exposures look fine, and you're confident that your current power source will last until your session is finished, you may choose to continue operating your HEQ5 mount on the same power source. However, it's important to keep in mind that the power light is blinking for a reason, and it's not just a random occurrence. Changing to a fresh battery or stable power source can help you avoid potential issues that could affect the quality of your astrophotography results.
Ultimately, learning from others' mistakes is an important part of any learning process. By listening to others' experiences, you can avoid making the same mistakes and take steps to ensure that your astrophotography results are of the highest quality possible.