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Telescope Alignment
Please follow the instructions in the LS LightSwitch manual to align your telescope. If the telescope cannot
find the stars during auto-alignment and assuming a clear sky, please refer to the possible causes and
remedies as outlined below. These are listed in a recommended order but feel free to choose the order if
you are experienced.
Tripod Platform
Ensure that the telescope is level prior to alignment and the tripod leg knobs tight. Also, ensure that the
tripod does sink into the ground, this can happen when the telescope is on grass or on a soft surface.
Power
Powering your LightSwitch telescope from batteries will prove expensive in the medium to long term. We
recommend a 17Ah 12VDC (pin positive) Power Tank or a good quality, regulated/switch-mode 12VDC 5A
mains Power Supply (pin positive).
Please note that low power levels including weak batteries or inadequate power supply will cause your
telescope to automatically reset.
Firmware
You may have an older version of the firmware or the firmware has been corrupted. You would need to
update your telescope's firmware. The latest version of the firmware at the time of writing is V1.6D.
Stretched Cables
Stretched cables can cause various issues including poor communication connections and power loss.
Both, will affect alignment and operation.
ECLIPS Camera Field of View
If you have alignment issues, ascertain that you are able to see the alignment star through a wide angle
40mm eyepiece and once the telescope has slued to the target star. That you can see the star through your
eyes is no guarantee that the ECLIPS camera can also see it. The ECLIPS camera is at a lower position
when compared to your eyes and has a comparatively much smaller field of view.
Please keep in mind that an obstructed horizon and passing clouds can also cause star alignment to fail.
ECLIPS Camera Cap
Please make certain that you have removed the Eclips camera cap.
ECLIPS Camera Condensation
Ensure that there is no condensation on the camera lens. You could consider making a small dew shield to
protect the camera lens from condensation.
ECLIPS Camera Dark Calibration
Dark Calibration should help with the "not finding stars" issue during auto-alignment. It's something that can
be done indoors. The handset will lead you through this procedure once Dark Calibration has been
selected. The Dark Calibration procedure is under the Utilities Menu on your handset.
Telescope Calibration
You could improve telescope accuracy in general by performing the Azimuth Drive, Elevation Drive and
Finder Center procedures under the Setup Menu on your handset. It's something that can be done during
the day. Take care not to point your telescope to or close to the Sun during this procedure.
Magnetic Interference
Large metal objects close to telescope like a car, motors, magnets and atmospheric magnetic fields in
general could affect the alignment and operation of any telescope that relies on its on-board electronic
compass to find North.
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