iOptron IEQ45TM manual

SmartStar ® iEQ45 TM With Go2Nova TM 8407 Hand Controller Instruction Manual ®[...]

2 Table of Content Table of Content ................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. iEQ45 TM Overview ...................................................................................................................... ................... 4 2. i[...]

3 5.6. PEC Option ............................................................................................................................................ 29 5.6.1. PEC Playback ............................................................................................................ ..................... 29 5.6.2. Record PEC ................[...]

4 1. iEQ45 TM Overview The iEQ45 is one of the new breed of premium astro-imaging equatorial mounts fro m iOptron. The iEQ45 offers the next generation GOTO technology from iOptron. The mount is made of the highest quality materials to ensure stability and durability. With a payload of 45 lb (20 kg) balanced – it comes standard with a calibrated [...]

5 2. iEQ45 TM Assembly 2.1. Parts List There are two shipping boxes for a regular tripod version. One box contains an EQ mount, an 8407 hand controller, a Vixen-type dovetail saddle (attached to the mount) and a Losmandy-D dovetail saddle. One box contains a tripod, two 11lb (5kg) counterweights and accessories. Figure 1. EQ mount box Other parts i[...]

6 2.2. Assembly Terms DEC Clut ch Hand le DEC Unit Polar Ax is Cover DEC Axis CW Shaft Counterweight ( CW) CW Locking Screw CW Safety Screw Dovetail Saddle R.A. uni t Polar Scope Cover Lat. Locking Screw R.A. Clutch Screw Lat. Adjust. Knob Azi. Locking S crew Azi. Adjust Knob Bubble Level Ind icator Main Control Unit Alignment Peg Tripod Head Tripo[...]

7 2.3. iEQ45 Ports Ports on Main Control Unit LED Switch LED Switch Figure 3. Ports on main control unit • Dec: For connecting to DEC driver unit • iOptron port: For connecting to other iOptron acce ssorie s, such as an electronic focuser, a laser pointer, or a planetary dome control • HBX (Hand Box): For connecting to the 8407 Hand Controlle[...]

8 mount. Equatorial mounts require alignment of the mount components as well as star alignm ents for accurate OTA tracking. In order to provide the required Polar Axis alignment, equatorial mounts use a combination of both mount types described above. The adjustable part of the mount moves in the Alt-Az mode in order to align the R.A. axis, also kn[...]

9 STEP 2. Set Latitude Adjustment Knob Carefully remove the mount from the shipping box and familiarize yourself with the components shown in Figure 2. Unlock the four (4) R.A. Clutch Screws and rotate the mount 180º around the R.A. axis to move the dovetail saddle face topside to the highest vertical position as shown in Figure 5. Tighten the R.A[...]

10 STEP 3. Attach the iEQ45 Mount Locate the Azimuth Adjustment Knobs (next to the Bubble Level Indicator) and retract them to allow enough clearance for the mount to fit on the tripod head. Unscrew the three (3) Azimuth Locking Screws shown in Figure 8 and be careful not to lose the plasti c washers; they will be needed to secure the mount. Place [...]

11 (a) (b) Figure 10 STEP 6. Attach Dovetail Adapter Both Vixen and Losmandy-D dovetail saddles are included for your convenience. Two (2) M6x20 hex head screws are used for the Vixen dovetail saddle. Additionally, four (4) M6x20 screws are provided for the Losmandy-D saddle installation. A custome r-made large adapter can also be installed. The mo[...]

12 NOTE: You may need to re-check the polar alignment after loading the OTA. As explained in the introduction, an equatorial mount must have an accurate polar axis alignment in order to track properly. With the iOptron innovativ e Polar Scope and Quick Polar Alignment procedure, you can do a fast and accurate polar axis alignment. Figure 12. Polar [...]

13 (3) Use the ▲ or ▼ button to turn the DEC axle to unblock the Polar Scope view. (4) Adjust polar scope eyepiece shown in Figure 13 to bring the polar scope dial in fo cus. (5) To rotate the Polar Scope to align the 12 position of the dial on the top, as shown in Figure 12, release the four R.A. clutch screws w hile holding the OTA, then turn[...]

14 NOTE: Thread the polar scope eyepiece all the way in after polar alignment, before put the Polar Scope Cover back on. Otherwise, the polar scope eyepiece could be stuck inside the Polar Scope Cover to cause R.A. axis jamming. NOTE: If you are located in southern hemisphere, Sigma Octantis will be chosen for Polar Alignment. For example, on May 2[...]

15 Balance the mount in DEC axis Release the four (4) R.A. Clutch Screws and rotate the R.A. axis to place the DEC axis in the horizontal position, as shown in Figure 16(a), and then tighten the R. A. Clutch Screws. The OTA can be on either side. Then release the DEC Clutch Handle and rotate the OTA to a horizontal position as shown in Figure 16(b)[...]

16 Figure 17. Zero position You can also use the electronic Balance Test function to check the R.A. and DEC balance (please refer to Section 5.13 for more details).[...]

17 3. Go2Nova TM 8407 Hand Controller Figure 18. Go2Nova 8407 hand controller The Go2Nova TM 8407 hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 18 is one of the controllers that used for the iEQ45 mount. It has an integrated temperature controll er that ensures it can b e operated below 20ºC (-4ºF). It has a large LCD screen, function keys, direct ion key[...]

18 • Serial port: connect the HC to a Computer via a RS232 to 4-wire RJ9 cable. The pin out of the serial port is shown in Figure 19. Figure 19. Serial port pin out on an 8407 hand controller 3.2. The LCD Screen The 8407 HC has a large 8-line, 21-character per line LCD screen, which displays al l the information as shown in Figure 20. The user in[...]

19 8. Local Date and Time: display local time in a format of YY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS. 9. Mount Statu s: Display current operation status of the mount. • Stop: mount is not moving; • Slew: mount is moving with an arrow key is pressed; • GoTo: mount is slewing to a celestial object using “Select and Slew”; • Busy: mount is busy slewing to some [...]

20 4. Getting Started In order to experience the full GOTO capability o f GOTONOVA technology it is very important to set up the mount correctly before observation. 4.1. Setup the Mount and Polar Alignment Assemble your iEQ45 mount according to Section 2.5, steps 1 ~ 7. Mount an OTA and accessories, and carefully balance the mount around the polar [...]

21 Local Time Set The time will be updated automatically when the GPS has picked up a signal. You also can manu ally input the time information in case GPS does not function. Use the ◄ or ► key to move the curs or _ and use number keys to change the numbers. Use the ▲ or ▼ button to toggle between “Y” and “N” for Daylight Saving Tim[...]

22 convert them into d:m:s format by multiplying t he decima l numbers by 60. For example, N47.53 can be changed to N47º31'48”: 47.53º = 47º +0.53º, 0.53º=0.53x60'=31.8', 0.8'=0.8x60"=48". Therefore, 47.53º=47º31'48" or 47d31m48s. N/S Hemisphere Selection If the polar axis is aligned to North Celesti[...]

23 not moved. To return the mount to its Zero Position, press the MENU button, scroll down to “To Zero Position” and press ENTER. Once the telescope returns to Zero Position turn the power off.[...]

24 5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova TM Hand Controller 5.1. Slew to an Object Press the MENU button. From the main menu select “ Select and Slew .” Select an object that you would like to observe and press the ENTER key. The Go2Nova TM 8407 hand controller has a database of about 358,000 objects. Use the ► or ◄ buttons to move the cursor. U[...]

25 5.1.6. Asteroids This catalog contains 116 asteroids. 5.1.7. User Objects It can store up to 60 used entered objects. 5.1.8. Enter R.A. DEC Here you can go to a target by entering its R.A. and DEC numbers. 5.2. Sync to Target This operation will match the telescope's current coordinates to Target Right Ascension and Declination. After slewi[...]

26 5.4.3. Set Anti-backlash All mechanical gears have a certain amount of backlash or play between the gears. This p lay is evident by how long it takes for a star to move in the eyepiece when the hand control arrow buttons are pressed (especially when changing directions). The Go2Nova anti-backla sh feature allows user to compensate for backlash b[...]

27 5.4.5. Set Eyepiece Light Use this function to adjust the lig ht intensity of iEQ45 illuminated polar scope. If you have an illuminated-reticule eyepiece and it is supported by Go2Nova hand cont roller, use this option to adjust its light intensity. 5.4.6. Heating Controller Turn on/off the controller internal heater. 5.4.7. Upgrade RA & DEC[...]

28 5.5.3. Three Star Alignment Three-star alignment procedure will reduce the so-ca lled “corn error” of an EQ mount. Every mount’s accuracy of construction varies somewhat, so the optical axis of the telescope may not be perpendicular to the declination axis or, more rarely, the polar axis ma y not be at right angles to the declination axis.[...]

29 Follow the on-screen instruction to bring the object back to center again and pr ess ENTER. The screen will show If you want to save this anti-backlash number, press ENTER. Otherwise press BACK. This will bring the hand controller to DEC backlash testing screen. Follow the on-screen instruction to test the DEC backlash. 5.5.6. Pole Star Position[...]

30 5.6.3. System Self-Test If system self-test function is turned on, the mount will swing back and forth about 2 second s to check the PEC encoder condition. 5.7. Set Tracking Rate You can set up tracking in the main menu by selecting “ Set Ttracking Rate ”. Then the user can select “ Sidereal speed ”, “ Solar speed ”, “ Lunar speed [...]

31 A more useful application of this function is to store your favorite viewing objects be fore heading to the filed. When “ Add a New Record ” screen shows, press the MENU button, it brings up the star catalogs that you can select the star from. Follow the screen to add your favorite objects. Press BACK button to go back one level. Press BACK [...]

32 5.12. To Zero Position This moves your telescope to its Zero Position (r efer to Figure 17). When the power is turned on, the mount assumes the Zero Position. This is its reference point for all other o bjects being tracked. 5.13. Balance Test This function provides a visual indication and assistance balancing both the R.A. and DEC axes. Before [...]

33 6. Maintenance and Servicing 6.1. Maintenance The iEQ45 is designed to be maintenance free. Do not overload the mount. Do not drop the mount, this will damage the mount or degrade the GOTO tracking accuracy permanently. Use a wet cloth to clean the mount and hand controller. Do not use solvent. If your mount is not to be used for an extended per[...]

34 Appendix A. Technical Specifications Mount German Equatorial Mount Payload 45 lb (20kg) Mount weight 20 lb (11.4kg) Payload/Mount weight 1.75 Right Ascension worm wheel Φ 130mm, 216 teeth aluminum Declination worm wheel Φ 115mm, 192 teeth aluminum Right Ascension axis shaft Φ 50mm steel Declination axis shaft Φ 40mm steel Right Ascension bea[...]

35 Appendix B. Go2Nova TM 8407 HC MENU STRUCTURE[...]

36[...]

37 Appendix C. Firmware Upgrade The firmware in the 8407 hand controller and/or control boards can be upgraded by the customer. Please check iOptron’s website, www.iOptron.com , under Support Directory/iEQ45 with 8407 Hand Controller, for detail.[...]

38 Appendix D. Computer Control an iEQ45 Mount The iEQ45 mount can be connected to a computer using supplied RS232 cable. A RS232 to USB adapter (not supplied) is needed if your computer does not h ave a serial port, like most of the lapt ops on the market today. Follow the adapter instructions to install the adapter driver. When the communication [...]

Appendix E. Go2Nova TM Star List Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License . It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects[...]

40 001 Acamar 050 Asellus Australis 099 Kaus Media 148 Rastaba 002 Achernar 051 Asellus Borealis 100 Keid 149 Regulus 003 Acrux 052 Aspidiske 101 Kitalpha 150 Rigel 004 Acubens 053 Atik 102 Kochab 151 Rigel Kentaurus 005 Adhafera 054 Atlas 103 Kornephoros 152 Ruchbah 006 Adhara 055 Atria 104 Kurhah 153 Rukbat 007 Al Na’ir 056 Avoir 105 Lesath 154[...]

No. Constellation Abbreviation No. Constellation Abbreviation 1 A ndromeda A nd 45 Lacerta Lac 2 A ntlia A nt 46 Leo Leo 3 A pus A ps 47 Leo Minor LMi 4 A quarius A qr 48 Lepus Lep 5 A quila A ql 49 Libra Lib 6 A ra A ra 50 Lupus Lup 7 A ries A ri 51 Lynx Lyn 8 A uriga A ur 52 Lyra Lyr 9 Boötes Boo 53 Mensa Men 10 Caelum Cae 54 Microscopium Mic 11[...]

ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier# IC# A (A bell) U(UGC) ID No. OBJECT NGC # Messier# IC# A (A bell) U(UGC) 1 Andromeda Galaxy 224 31 31 Hind's Variable Nebula 1555 2 Barnards Galaxy 6822 32 Hubble's Variable Nebula 2261 3 Beehive Cluster 2632 44 33 Integral Sign Galaxy 3697 4 Blackeye Galaxy 4926 64 34 Jew el Box Cluster 4755 5 Blinking Planet[...]

No. Ob j ect Const Sep. M a g itude SAO Comm. Name No. Ob j ect Const Sep. Ma g itude SAO Comm. Name 1 Gam And 9.8 2.3 / 5.1 37734 Almaak 36 Eta Cas 12.9 3.5 / 7.5 21732 Achird 2 Pi And 35.9 4.4 / 8.6 54033 37 Iot Cas 2.3 4.7/7.0/8.2 12298 3 Bet Aql 12.8 3.7 / 11 125235 Alshain 38 Psi Cas 25 4.7 / 8.9 11751 4 11 Aql 17.5 5.2 / 8.7 104308 39 Sig Cas[...]

No. Ob j ect Const Sep. Ma g itude SAO Comm. Name No. Ob j ect Const Sep. Ma g itude SAO Comm. Name 71 Bet Cyg 34.4 3.1 / 5.1 87301 Albireo 106 Del Her 8.9 3.1 / 8.2 84951 Sarin 72 Omi 1 C yg 107 3.8 / 6.7 49337 107 Mu Her 34 3.4 / 9.8 85397 73 52 Cyg 6.1 4.2 / 9.4 70467 108 Alp Her 4.6 3.5 / 5.4 102680 Rasalgethi 74 Ups Cyg 15.1 4.4 / 10 71173 109[...]

No. Ob j ect Const Sep. Ma g itude SAO Comm. Name No. Ob j ect Const Sep. Ma g itude SAO Comm. Name 141 Eps 2 Lyr 2.3 5.2 / 5.5 67315 Double dbl2 176 Zet Psc 23 5.6 / 6.5 109739 142 Alp Mic 20.5 5.0 / 10 212472 177 Kap Pup 9.9 4.5 / 4.7 174199 143 Zet Mon 32 4.3 / 10 135551 178 Eta Pup 9.6 5.8 / 5.9 174019 144 Eps Mon 13.4 4.5 / 6.5 113810 179 Eps [...]

IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MO UNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY A. iOptron warrants your telescope, mount, or cont roller to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years. iO ptron will repair or replace such product or part which, upon inspection by iOptron, is found to be defective in materials or workman ship. As a condition to the[...]