An in shop picture of both axis' in the customers
shop.
A picture up close of the Alt axis. You can see the
gearhead servo motor mounted on the pair of plates. There is a small lever
at the bottom left of the top plate. That is a clutch lever. Lift it up
and lock it, the drive is engaged. Down, and manual motion is restored.
He is using a cable drive and lever for a second clutch
mechanism here too.
A picture of the drive knob from a stepper system that
was replaced with a different design. You can see the knob has a cable
wrapped around it to move the Alt. axis. No notch was required with this
mount due to the cut corners from the maker, T-scopes. He did cut out a
slot in the teflon pads for the cable to ride in.
A close up of the final design for the Alt. axis cable
roller.
The plates and roller are made of 1/4" 6061 aluminum,
uncoated. Stainless rollers can be specified.
Looks like he is using a large battery to power the
motors and optional laptop. You can see the Az. plate pair in the front.
It uses a splined knob just like the stepper version.
Features list- Servo :
Unlike other GoTo systems, this one is good for a lifetime
- it "evolves" with you and whatever you will use in the future. Motors,
computer, cables, software and (usually) the gearing, can be used on other
mounts (Dobs or GEMS) with a little modification to the new mounting.
Customers can use an older cheap
laptop ( see
comparison here) OR
the Argo Navis/Sky Commander with encoders. The servo motors have encoders
on them, so you don't have to use encoders, but without the extra encoders,
a laptop is required.
There is no Field de-rotator included
in any system but the system is quite capable of using one for astrophotography
with the wireless handpad.
These servo motors and mounts are silent when slewing
or tracking.
A small 17 amp hour gel cell battery is good for one night
of observing with a laptop. Smaller batteries are needed for the Argo Navis/Sky
Commander systems.
Mathematical resolution is determined by your encoder
and motor combination, you decide.
Software is included and pre configured. (you will need
to fine tune some of it)
Free phone and e-mail support.
Instructions for operating the software are included.
System is GoTo and point-accurate to within one arc minute
or better.
Start up time is less than 2 minutes.
Easy 2 star alignment for GoTo, NCP for tracking
only.
Laptops and the circuitry can usually be powered from
the same battery. There is no need for a 115 volt power outlet.
Servo control software with a LONG list of features
you would not expect is included.
What
is included in the order:
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