Socket Mobile GTOCP2 manual

ASTRO-PHYSICS 1200 GERMA N EQUA TORIA L WIT H GTO SERVO MOTOR DRIVE Model GTOCP2 February 26, 2002[...]

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3 ASTRO-PHYSICS 1200 GERMA N EQUA TORIA L WIT H GTO SERVO MOTOR DRIVE MODEL 1200GTO PARTS LIST – MODEL GTOCP2 5 FEATURES AND SPECIFIC AT IONS 5 INTRODUCTION 6 W hy Polar Alignment is Im portant 6 Compens ation for the Ear th’s rotation 6 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 7 Before You Leave Hom e 7 Before You Leave Hom e 8 Gross Latitude Adjustm ent 8 Attac[...]

4 MOUNT MAINT ENANCE AND AL IGNMENT 1 9 TROUBLESHOOTING 19 INSTAL L ATION OF ENCODERS AND ENCODER HOUSINGS -1 2 00 MOUNT 21 Fitting Declination Encoder Housing 21 Fitting Right Ascens ion Encoder Housing 22 Periodic Maintenance 22[...]

5 ASTRO-PHYSICS 1200 GERMA N EQUA TORIA L WIT H GTO SERVO MOTOR DRIVE MODEL 1200GT O P A RTS LIST – M ODEL GT OCP2 1 Polar axis assembly (right ascension-R.A.) with Servo Box GTOCP2 1 Declination (Dec.) ax is assembly 1 Pier top adapter with six (6) 5/16-18 x 5/8" button head screws w ith washers (these may be attached to your pier post if y[...]

6 INTRODUCTIO N The 1200 German equatorial w as designed to meet the needs of the advanced observer w ho requires a mount with maximum strength and rigidity and minimum weight. The ex cess material in both axes has been carved out w hile retaining a heavily ribbed structure for internal strength and rigidity . A unique dovetail was machined into th[...]

7 A SSEM BL Y INSTRUCTIONS Please read all instructions before attempting to set up your 1200 mount. The M odel 1200 is very rugged, how ever like any precision instrument, it can be damaged by improper use and handling. Please refer to Diagram 2 for an illustration of the mount. The parts are labeled so that w e can establish common terminology. T[...]

8 Before You Leave Home Since most of us must set up our instruments in the dark, in the cold or while battling mosquitoes, a bit of preplanning and organization is important. There are few simple things that can be accomplished in the comfort of your home before heading outside. Gross Latitude Adjustment The total latitude range of the 1200 mount [...]

9 6. Determine the latitude range that you need (refer to Diagram 3) and position the hole that is marked “A” in Diagram 5 at that location. Note that this hole is located at the rounded part of the altitude bar. 7. Attach two of the screw s (one on either side of the adjuster bar), but do not tighten. Rotate the altitude adjuster bar around th[...]

10 Assemble Polar Axis Assembly to Pier or Tripod In order to track the motion of astronomical objects, the polar axis must be positioned so that an imaginary line drawn through the center of the axis points tow ard the celestial pole. At this stage of the assembly process, you want to position the mount so that it points roughly north. 1. Remove t[...]

11 Assemble Declination Axis 1. Do not have your telescope or counterw eights connected to the Dec. ax is assembly for either assembly or disassembly of the Dec. and R A axes. 2. Position the R.A. ax is as shown in Diagram 7 with the pocket "A" at the top, opposite the altitude adjuster knob. Firmly tighten R.A. clutch knobs. 3. During sh[...]

12 Attach Mounting Plate (purchased separ ately) Several mounting plates are available for the 1200 mount. If y ou own more than one instrument, you may need more than one plate. Follow the appropriate directions for the plate(s) that y ou have. 18" FLAT MO UNTING PLATE (FP1800) This plate is 18" long and 7.5" at its w idest point in[...]

13 Attach Mounting Rings (pur chased separ atel y) Our flat and ribbed plates are constructed with key hole slots at the location where your mounting rings attach. This feature enables you to partially loosen the screw s on your rings just enough to insert them into the larger part of the keyhole, then slide the rings to the narrow part and tighten[...]

14 OPERA TION OF THE MOUNTING R.A. and Dec. Damper Knobs The R.A. and Dec. damper knobs are not intended as ax is locks. They should be tightened w ith light finger pressure so that a slight resistance can be felt when pushing an unclutched ax is by hand. This really adds to the "feel" at the end of the scope with the driv es adjusted cor[...]

15 3. Position the R.A. ax is so that the counterweights are in their "lowest" position i.e. the declination ax is assembly is in the meridian (this is the usual way that German equatorials are depicted, as shown in diagram 2.) 4. Loosen the tube mounting rings and slide the tube up and down for balancing. T his is best done with the tube[...]

16 SER VO M OTOR DRIVE GTO Control Box – Model GTOCP2 The GT O control box contains all of the circuitry to driv e the two servo motors and the logic required to navigate the sky. It will be operational and track at the sidereal rate w hen connected to both motors of the mount and a power source. In order to control the movement of the mount, you[...]

17 RS-232 Connectors These serial port connections are used to connect your mount to y our PC computer. You must provide your ow n straight- through (non-crossing) cables with a 9-pin (DB9) male connector to interface w ith the GTO panel. W e have provided the locking posts to secure the cable firmly. If your serial cable does not hav e a 9-pin con[...]

18 Prevent the Cables from Tangling The movement of the mount across the meridian during slew ing functions is calculated so that the cables will not tangle if they are set up properly. In addition to the motor and pow er cables that are provided with the mount, you may have additional cables for other accessories. These may be pow ered from the GT[...]

19 MO UNT M A I NTENA NCE A ND A LIGNM ENT Under normal operating conditions, minimal maintenance is required. Every 12 months the clutch knobs (4 for D ec. and 4 for R.A.) should be removed and 1 or 2 drops of light oil (3 in 1 household oil) should be put in the ex posed hole. If the R.A. and Dec. ax es are attached together for a long time in ou[...]

20 Recommended Reading from our Staff: The Backyard Astronomer' s Guide , Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, Camden H ouse Publishing, 1991 The authors, both former editors of Astronomy magazine, offer practical insight into astronomical equipment, finding your way around the sky, polar alignment, using setting circles, and astrophotography. Thi[...]

21 INST A LLA TION OF ENCODERS A ND ENCODER HOUSINGS -1200 M OUNT 1200ENC (purchased separately) Parts List: 1 Right Ascension (R.A.) Encoder housing (black anodized) 1 Declination (Dec.) Encoder housing (black anodized) 1 R.A. Ax is Adapter (clear anodized - silver colored), labeled R.A. 1 Dec. Ax is Adapter (clear anodized - silver colored), labe[...]

22 Fitting Right Ascension Encoder Housing If the encoders were purchased w ith the 1200 mount, it is likely that the right ascension axis adapter and encoder housing have already been installed. Please continue to read these directions since y ou may need to remove and reinstall the encoders if you use a polar alignment scope. Since the polar ax i[...]