Table of Contents
Related Manuals for ASTRO-PHYSICS Mach1GTO
Summary of Contents for ASTRO-PHYSICS Mach1GTO
-
Page 2: Table Of Contents
First, Balance the Declination Axis. Second, Balance the Polar Axis ABLE ANAGEMENT Introduction to one of the Mach1GTO’s most Innovative Features Preparation Cable Installation – the First Time Disassembly and Subsequent Setups and Polar Alignments A Note on the Mount’s Servo “Y” Cable... - Page 3 KEYPAD Connector RS-232 Connectors FOCUS Connector RETICLE Connector AUTOGUIDER Connector +6V Connector N and S Switch Drainage Holes GTO K EYPAD ONTROLLER PERATION LEWING OUNT IN ELOW REEZING EMPERATURES OUNT LEANING AND AINTENANCE Care Cleaning and Touch-up Mount Maintenance DDITIONAL IPS AND UPPORT ROUBLESHOOTING...
-
Page 4: Astro-Physics
PEMPro™ dramatically improves guided and unguided imaging resulting in better images and fewer lost exposures. While the periodic error of your Mach1GTO will be 7 arc seconds or less, you can reduce it even further to maximize performance without auto-guiding. -
Page 5: Features And Specifications
Capacity of Mount: Approximately 45 lbs. (20kg) - telescope and accessories (not including counterweights), depending on length. Will accommodate Astro-Physics and similar refractors up to 160mm f7.5, 8” - 11" SCT or 6” – 8” Mak Cas. These are only guidelines. -
Page 6: Introduction
Imaging. Please refer to his website http://www.pulseguide.com for further developments and enhancements. The Mach1GTO has the strength, rigidity and sophistication to tempt you to permanently place it in a state-of-the-art observatory. However, its portability and ease of setup make it the finest mount of its size for remote use in your favorite dark sky location and even for travel to exotic observing locations around the world. -
Page 7: Assembly Instructions
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Please read all instructions before attempting to set up your Mach1GTO mount. The Mach1GTO is very rugged, however like any precision instrument, it can be damaged by improper use and handling. Please refer to the following illustrations. The parts are labeled so that we can establish common terminology. -
Page 8: Before You Leave Home
LATE Mach1GTO must be straight and square to the RA mating surface when mounted. Don’t try to tilt it into place as you would with the larger dovetailed mounts. Keep a hand on the declination axis to keep it from falling off until you have at least one of the screws loosely fastened. -
Page 9: Adjustable Wood Tripod (Awt000)
See the website for details. Attach the Mount to the Pier Post or Tripod The P is already attached to your Mach1GTO. Starting in 2008, there are six attachment holes in the P DAPTER base for positioning flexibility. You, of course, only use three of them (every 120°) with the three provided P DAPTER . -
Page 10: Altitude And Azimuth Adjustments - Rough Polar Alignment
With a pier that is not level, each adjustment in azimuth also causes a minor shift in altitude and vice versa. This is why we have included the bubble level on the Mach1GTO. Keep in mind that unless you are a serious astrophotographer or imager, “perfect” polar alignment is not critical. - Page 11 When your altitude is set, lock it with the locking lever. In addition, if you are using an Astro-Physics Portable Pier, we have found that using the turnbuckle on the north leg of the pier also can make fine altitude adjustments, if used.
- Page 12 Continue your azimuth and altitude adjustments until you can sight Polaris in the polar alignment sight hole. Try to center it roughly in the sight hole. A very dim red light may help you see enough of the hollow shaft to help you with centering without obscuring Polaris.
-
Page 13: Attach Mounting Plate
This plate has a hole spacing of 13.75”. This allows the use of the 15” dovetail plate (DOVE15) on top of your instrument as an accessory plate. Note: This is a very large plate for the Mach1GTO. If your instrument requires such a large plate, it may be too large for this mount. -
Page 14: Assemble Counterweight Shaft
Three of the components listed above have six mounting holes that match the six screw holes that hold the D ECLINATION onto the hub of the Mach1GTO’s Dec axis. (FP1800, 900RP and Q4047) We recommend that you use only four of LATE these holes to mount your plate. -
Page 15: Optional 10.7" X 1.875" Counterweight Shaft
Control Box will function as soon as they are plugged in. That means that the R.A. axis will be tracking up to the limits of your polar alignment. However, if you plan to use any of the go-to functions of the Mach1GTO or do astrophotography, you... -
Page 16: Methods For Fine Polar Alignment
• Polar Alignment Scope – Use our optional polar scope (PASILL4 or PASILL3 (prior version) models – earlier polar alignment scopes cannot be used as effectively with the Mach1GTO as explained later in this section). This will allow you to quickly align your mount on the pole stars. The reticle was designed for use in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. -
Page 17: Clutch Knobs And Balancing
Most users will never need to use a hex key on their Mach1GTO’s clutches, but if you are heavily loaded, if your system is out of balance, or if you are doing critical long exposure astro-photography, you may wish to have the extra clutch tightness. -
Page 18: Second, Balance The Polar Axis
Those challenges were met with the Mach1GTO. There are four places on the Mach1GTO where cables can enter or exit the inside of the mount. -
Page 19: Cable Installation - The First Time
permanently mounted? Since everyone’s situation will be a bit different, these instructions are more guidelines rather than specific “follow these to the letter or else” instructions. If it is practical, you may find it most convenient to first set up your mount following the above instructions and get it pretty well polar aligned. -
Page 20: Disassembly And Subsequent Setups And Polar Alignments
A Note on the Mount’s Servo “Y” Cable The “Y” cable that connects your GTOCP3 control box to the servo motor gearboxes can be run either inside or outside the mount. The Mach1GTO doesn’t really have anything that will catch... - Page 21 Please feel free to contribute hints and tricks of your own for future editions of this manual. At Astro-Physics, we know that our customers can be downright brilliant! E-mail your suggestions to support@astro-physics.com.
-
Page 22: Servo Motor Drive
900GTO and 1200GTO. The gear train is just as heavy-duty, and the worm gears are massive and incredibly precise. This is an extremely robust system for a mount of this size, but since the focus of the Mach1GTO’s design was on the serious observer and imager, we felt that it was well worth it. -
Page 23: R.a. And Dec. Cable Connections
USB to serial converters, depending on how many available USB connections you have. One member of the Yahoo, Astro-Physics GTO User’s Group even reported success using a single USB connection on his computer with a 4 – port USB hub and USB – serial RS232 converters. For a more detailed and up-to-date discussion, go... - Page 24 FOCUS Connector Attach the 3.5mm phono plug connector of your JMI Motofocus or other electric focuser (optional accessories) here. Refer to the section regarding focus adjustment in the GTO Keypad Manual for instructions on using the keypad controller to adjust focus.
- Page 25 Care Although we build it to be rugged enough for field use, your Mach1GTO is a precision instrument with very accurate worm and wheel adjustments. Please be careful if you place the mount on a flat surface, i.e. the ground or trunk of your car. The...
- Page 26 The members of this group are very knowledgeable about the operation of their mounts, CCD imaging and other related issues. The staff of Astro-Physics also participates and you will find a wealth of information in the archives. To find the group, link from User Groups in our website’s sidebar.
- Page 27 However, above about 17 volts, the motors may become a bit jittery because of the higher gain with this much voltage. The system works very well with 15 - 16 volts. The Mach1GTO should work very smoothly at 12 volts.
- Page 28 The declination axis does not appear to be moving properly. How can I check it? Please refer to the appendix for the instruction sheet: “Characterizing the Dec Axis Motions,” which explains how to use Maxim DL software to characterize your mount’s performance. If any problems occur, please don't hesitate to contact Astro-Physics for assistance.
- Page 29 RECOMMENDED READING FROM OUR STAFF: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, Firefly Books Ltd., Rev. Ed., Oct. 2002. ISBN 155209507X 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. This book provides excellent explanations and is well organized and illustrated.
- Page 30 CHARACTERIZING THE DEC AXIS MOTIONS...
- Page 31 Astro-Physics Mounting Plate Fastener Chart Dovetail Plate Dovetail Plate 15" Flat 18" Flat 8" Dovetail 15" Dovetail for Losmandy D for Losmandy D 15" Ribbed 15" Ribbed 24" Ribbed Plate Plate Plate Plate Series Plate Series Plate Plate Plate Plate...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Mach1GTO and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers