iOptron CEM40 Instruction Manual
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iOptron CEM40 Instruction Manual

Center-balanced equatorial mount
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iOptron
CEM40 Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount
Instruction Manual
Product CEM40 (#7400A series) and CEM40EC (#7400ECA series, as shown)

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Summary of Contents for iOptron CEM40

  • Page 1 ® iOptron CEM40 Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual Product CEM40 (#7400A series) and CEM40EC (#7400ECA series, as shown)
  • Page 2 Please read the included CEM40 Quick Setup Guide (QSG) BEFORE taking the mount out of the case! This product is a precision instrument and uses a magnetic gear meshing mechanism. Please read the included QSG before assembling the mount. Please read the entire Instruction Manual before operating the mount.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    1. CEM40 Introduction ....................... 5 2. CEM40 Overview ........................6 2.1. Parts List ......................... 6 2.2. Identification of Parts ....................... 7 2.3. CEM40 Mount Basic Cable Connection ................7 2.4. CEM40 Cable Management .................... 8 ® 2.5. Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller ................10 2.5.1.
  • Page 4 Appendix F. Go2Nova Star List ....................46 IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ..... 55 Ver. 1.0 2019.4 iOptron reserves the rights to revise this instruction without notice. Actual color/contents/design/function may differ from those described in this instruction manual.

  • Page 5: Cem40 Introduction

    The CEM40 also uses iOptron's ultra-quiet, low-power consumption stepper motor drive system, aiding the mount in providing precise tracking. The iOptron CEM40 mount uses the Go2Nova® 8407 hand controller to navigate the night sky. This incredible technology helps observers find celestial objects with the aid of the mount's 212,000+ object database! For those looking for a telescope that has the capability of tracking and finding beautiful night sky objects, this mount is a must have tool.

  • Page 6: Cem40 Overview

    2.1. Parts List SHIPPING CONTENTS Your new CEM40 mount comes in two shipping boxes. One box contains either a CEM40 (#7400A) or CEM40EC (#7400ECA) mount head, hand controller, counterweight shaft, and accessories. The other box contains a 1.5” tripod and a 10lbs (4.5kg) counterweight. The contents are: ...

  • Page 7: Identification Of Parts

    HBX (Hand Box): For connecting to an 8407 Hand Controller  iPORT: Auxiliary port for connecting to other iOptron accessories, such as a GPS receiver, an iStarFi WiFi adapter, an electronic focuser or for observatory dome control. DO NOT plug your ST-4 guiding camera cable into this port as it may damage the mount or guide camera electronics.

  • Page 8: Cem40 Cable Management

    2.4. CEM40 Cable Management The CEM40 mount has a pre-wired Cable Management Panel (CMP) which provides a 12V 3A max. power outlet and a USB 2.0 port. As shown in Figure 3, the Cable Management Panel has the following connections: Figure 3.Cable management panel...
  • Page 9 Figure 6. Openings for custom cable management The CMP can also be moved from the back of the dovetail saddle to the front. CMP  Figure 7. Top of the dovetail saddle...

  • Page 10: Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller

    8407+ hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 8 is the standard controller used on the CEM40 mount. It has an integrated heater that ensures the LCD display will work at the temperature as low as -20ºC(-4ºF). It has a large LCD screen, function, direction, and number keys on the front; a red LED reading light on the back;...

  • Page 11: The Lcd Screen

    STOP/0 Key: Stop the mount during GOTO. Also toggling between starting and stopping tracking.  HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to the CEM40 mount using a 6P6C RJ11 cable.  Serial port: connect the HC to a computer via a RS232 to 4P4C RJ9 cable. The pin-out of the serial port is shown in Figure 9.

  • Page 12: Bench Testing The Mount

    8. Local Date and Time: displays the local time in a format of YY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS. 9. Mount Status: Displays the current operational status of the mount.  Stop: mount is not moving;  Slew: mount is moving with an arrow key is pressed or a GOTO command, such as “Select and Slew”...

  • Page 13: Cem40 Mount Assembly

    3. CEM40 Mount Assembly 3.1. CEM40 Mount Assembly NOTE: The CEM40 mount is a precision astronomical instrument. It is highly recommended that you read this entire manual and become familiar with the nomenclature and function of all components before starting assembly.
  • Page 14 STEP 3. Attach the mount Retract the 2x Azimuth (Azi) Adjustment Screws from both sides to leave ample space for the alignment peg to fit in between the 2 Azi Adjustment Screws. Remove the 2x Azi Locking Screws, with washers, from the mount base. Secure the mount head by tightening the Azi Locking Screws into the M6 holes on the tripod.
  • Page 15 Figure 17. Change latitude range STEP 5. Install Counterweight (CW) Shaft Thread the CW shaft into the CW shaft mounting house. For low latitudes (<10°), a special CW mounting house is needed. (Contact iOptron for more information) Figure 18. Install CW shaft...
  • Page 16 You may need more CW for heavier payloads, or a smaller CW for lighter scopes. STEP 7. Install Telescope CEM40 is equipped with a 5” iOptron Universal Saddle. It can receive either a Vixen or a Losmandy-D plate by flipping both Stationary Block and Locking Block. This unique adjustable dovetail saddle enables centering the scope to the center of the saddle.
  • Page 17 Figure 22. Losmandy dovetail saddle After switch the Stationary and Locking Blocks, make sure that the alignment mark on the Stationary Block is aligned to one of the position marks on the saddle plate. If you have a wider dovetail plate, move the Stationary Block to an outside mark.
  • Page 18 STEP 10. Setting up the Hand Controller The CEM40 mount is equipped with a GPS receiver which will receive the time, longitude and latitude information for your current location from satellites after a link is established. However, there are still some parameters which need to be entered to reflect your location, such as time zone information and whether daylight saving time is currently in effect.
  • Page 19 Daylight Saving Time UTC -300 Minute(s) 2019-03-09 10:19:18 Longitude:W071d08m50s Latitude: N42d30m32s Northern Hemisphere Set Local Time The time will be updated automatically when the GPS receiver has established its link to the satellites. In the event that the GPS module is unable to establish a link, local time can be entered manually. Use the ◄...
  • Page 20 Quick Polar Alignment procedure to perform the polar alignment. One of the CEM40’s unique features is that the polar scope can be used at anytime as it is not blocked by DEC axle as is the case in a German Equatorial Mount.
  • Page 21 To perform the polar alignment: (1) Level the CEM40 mount and set it to the Zero Position. Make sure the telescope optical axis is parallel to the polar axis (R.A. axis) of the mount. If using a finder scope, adjust it to be parallel to the telescope optical axis.
  • Page 22 BrightStar Polar Alignment If you mount does not have a iPolar installed, or the pole star is not in sight, you may use two bright stars with Polar Iterate Align to do the polar alignment. (1) Level the mount and set it to the Zero Position. Align the telescope to the R.A. axis of the mount.

  • Page 23: Getting Started

    4.1. Setting the Mount and Performing Polar Alignment Assemble your CEM40 mount according to Section 3.1. Make sure the mount is leveled. Turn the mount power switch on. When the GPS receiver is connected to satellites, the hand controller LCD will display GPS OK and the mount will have the correct time and site information (this can also be entered manually as previously described).

  • Page 24: Power-Down Memorization

    4.6. Power-Down Memorization The CEM40 mount can memorize its R.A. and DEC positions if the mount power is lost during operation, even during high speed slewing. After the power is back, just do a Select and Slew to the same star when the power is lost. The mount will continue to track the star.

  • Page 25: Complete Functions Of Go2Nova ® 8407+ Hand Controller

    ® 5. Complete Functions of Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller 5.1. Select and Slew 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 8407+ hand controller has a database of around 212,000 objects.

  • Page 26: Custom R.a. And Dec

    The mount has to be set to Zero Position before performing any alignment. 5.3.1. Position of Polaris/SigmaOct ® This function displays the position of the Pole Star for Quick Polar Alignment using the iOptron AccuAlign polar scope. In the Northern Hemisphere the position of Polaris is displayed, while in the Southern Hemisphere the position of Sigma Octantis is shown.

  • Page 27: Three Star Alignment

    5.3.4. Three Star Alignment The three-star alignment will further determine the cone error between the OTA and mount axis. The system will use these data to calculate the goto model. If the cone error is big enough, it is suggested to shim the OTA in DEC to minimize it.

  • Page 28: Display Settings

    Set Up Time and Site Beep Settings Display Settings Set Guiding Rates Set Tracking Rate Set Parking Position Meridian Treatment Set Altitude Limit Select one of three available modes:  "Always On” – a beep will be heard on each button operation or mount movement; ...

  • Page 29: Set Tracking Rate

    WARNING: DO NOT plug your ST-4 guiding camera cable into the iOptron port or HBX port. It may damage the mount or guiding camera electronics. 5.4.5. Set Tracking Rate You can set up the mount tracking rate by selecting “Set Tracking Rate”.

  • Page 30: Set Ra Guiding

    5.4.11. Set RA Guiding The function is for the EC version of the CEM40 only. You can turn off R.A. guiding by selecting “Filter R.A. Guiding” to allow the high precision encoder to correct the tracking error, or turn the R.A. guiding on by selecting “Allow RA Guiding”...

  • Page 31: Park Telescope

    5.7. Park Telescope This function parks the scope to one of four preset park positions. 5.8. Edit User Objects Besides various star lists available in the hand controller, you can add, edit or delete your own user- defined objects. This is especially useful for newly found comets. You can also add your favorite observation object into the user object list for easy sky surfing.

  • Page 32: Firmware Information

    To counter this, the CEM40 has been equipped with a function that can find the Zero Position for an initial mount set up.

  • Page 33: Maintenance And Servicing

    6. Maintenance and Servicing 6.1. Maintenance The CEM40 mount is designed to be maintenance free. Do not overload the mount. Do not drop the mount as this will damage the mount and / or permanently degrade GoTo performance and tracking accuracy.

  • Page 34: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

    AC adapter 100V ~ 240V (included) Polar Scope Internal iPolar electronic polar scope Level indicator Level bubble Dovetail saddle iOptron Universal Saddle, 5" ® Hand Controller Go2Nova 8407+,212,000 objects database, star recognition Meridian treatment Stop (0-14° pass), auto flip WIFI...

  • Page 35: 8407+ Hc Menu Structure

    ® Appendix B. Go2Nova 8407+ HC MENU STRUCTURE MENU Select and Slew Solar System Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Moon Deep Sky Objects Named Object Messier Catalog Caldwell Catalog Abell Catalog Herschel Catalog Stars Named Stars Double/Multi Stars Hipparcors Catalog Comets Asteroids...
  • Page 36 Alignment Position of Pole Star One Star Alignment Two Star Alignment Three Star Alignment Solar System Align Polar Interate Align View Model Error Clear Alignment Data Settings Set Time and Site Beep Settings Display Settings Set Guiding Rate Set Tracking Rate Sidereal Rate Lunar Rate SolarRate...
  • Page 37 Electric Focuser PEC Options PEC Playback Record PEC PEC Data Integrity Park Telescope Edit User Objects User Def ined Comet Add a New Comet Browse Comets Delete a Comet Clear All Comets Other Objects Add a New Object Browse Objects Delete an Object Clear All Objects Firmware Inf ormation...

  • Page 38: Appendix C. Polar Alignment Using Ipolar Electronic Polarscope

    (1) Connect the iPolar Electronic PolarScope to your PC USB port; (2) The iPolar driver will be automatically installed if it is the first time connecting to the computer; (3) You should see “iOptron iPolar” under Camera catalog in computer Device Manager; (4) Goto www.ioptron.com...
  • Page 39 (4) Adjust Exposure Time and Gain (from 1.0X pull down menu in main display menu) to obtain a sky image with clear stars displayed; (5) Click on Take Dark Frame; (6) Follow the on screen instruction to cover the camera, finish taking dark frame and uncover the camera;...
  • Page 40 (4) Click Confirm to complete the location setting. Read from an ASCOM Supported Mount (1) Click on Settings; (2) Click on Read Location from Mounts (3) An ASCOM Telescope Chooser window will occur. Choose “iOptron ASCOM Driver for Mount” from the pull-down menu and click OK.
  • Page 41 (4) Click OK to complete the location setting. Step 4. Plate Solving and Polar Alignment If the iPolar has been calibrated (see Section 3 below for calibration), there will be a bright red cross on the screen, which is the polar scope/mount RA axis rotating center. The alignment software will perform plate solving near the pole star area.
  • Page 42 Adjust the altitude and azimuth screws to move the read dot towards read cross. The image will be enlarged when they are moving close. When read dot fully covers red cross, the pole alignment is done.
  • Page 43 NOTE: You can click on Settings and check RAW to see the real sky image at any time. Please uncheck RAW during polar alignment for better results. 3. iPolar Calibration If do not see the red cross on the screen, the iPolar has not been calibrated. Calibration is only needed after iPolar is installed or any mechanical adjustment has been done on iPolar.

  • Page 44: Appendix D. Firmware Upgrade

    Appendix D. Firmware Upgrade The firmware in the 8407+ Hand Controller and control boards can be upgraded by the customer. Please check iOptron’s website, www.iOptron.com, under Support Documents of the CEM40 product page. The mount firmware is upgraded via USB port on the mount. The hand controller firmware is upgraded...

  • Page 45: Appendix E. Computer Control A Cem40 Mount

    Appendix E. Computer Control a CEM40 Mount The CEM40 mount can be controlled by a SmartPhone, a tablet or a computer. It is supported by two types of computer connections:  Connect to a computer via USB port on the mount using a USB cable. You may need to install a FTDI USB to RS232 VCP driver (https://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm).

  • Page 46: Appendix F. Go2Nova ® Star List

    ® Appendix F. Go2Nova Star List Named Deep Sky Object 47 Tucanae 47 Integral Sign Galaxy Andromeda Galaxy 48 Iris Nebula Antennae Galaxies 49 Jellyfish Nebula Barnard's Galaxy 50 Jewel Box Cluster Bear‐Paw Galaxy 51 Lagoon Nebula Beehive Cluster 52 Lambda Centauri Nebula Black Eye Galaxy 53 Large Magellanic Cloud Blinking Planetary 54 Leo Triplet Blue Flash Nebula 55 Little Dumbbell Nebula 10 Blue Planetary 56 Little Gem Nebula 11 Blue Snowball Nebula 57 Little Ghost Nebula 12 Bode's Galaxy...
  • Page 47 Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
  • Page 48 Named Stars Acamar Alrescha Deneb el Okab Lalande 21185 Achernar Alshain Deneb Kaitos Lesath Achird Altair Denebakrab Mahasim Acrab Altais Denebola Maia Acrux A Alterf Dschubba Marfik Acrux B Aludra Dubhe Marfikent Acubens Alula Australis Edasich Markab Adhafera Alula Borealis El Rehla Markeb Adhara...
  • Page 49 Proxima Centauri Sadalbari Sulafat Vindemiatrix Rasalas Sadalmelik Syrma Vrischika Rasalgethi Sadalsuud Talitha Wasat Rasalhague Sadr Tania Australis Wazn Rastaban Saiph Tania Borealis Regor Sargas Tarazed Wezen Regulus Scheat Taygeta Yed Posterior Rigel Schedar Tejat Posterior Yed Prior Rigel Kentaurus A Seginus Thuban Zaniah...
  • Page 50 Modern Constellations Constellation Abbreviation Constellation Abbreviation Andromeda Lacerta Antlia Apus Leo Minor Aquarius Lepus Aquila Libra Lupus Aries Lynx Auriga Lyra Boötes Mensa Caelum Microscopium Camelopardalis Monoceros Cancer Musca Canes Venatici Norma Canis Major Octans Canis Minor Ophiuchus Capricornus Orion Carina Pavo Cassiopeia...
  • Page 51 Double/Multi Stars HC Item Constellation Name Rigel Kentaurus A Alpha Centauri Centaurus 71683 14396‐6050 252838 Rigel Beta Orionis Orion 24436 05145‐0812 131907 Gacrux Gamma Crucis Crux 61084 12312‐5707 240019 Sargas Theta Scorpii Scorpius 86228 17373‐4300 228201 Castor A Alpha Geminorum Gemini 36850 07346+3153 60198 Mizar Zeta Ursae Majoris Ursa Major 65378 13239+5456 28737 Almach Gamma Andromedae Andromeda...
  • Page 52 HC Item Constellation Name 53 HIP 95771 Alpha Vulpeculae Vulpecula Anser 19287+2440 87261 54 HIP 30867 Beta Monocerotis Monoceros 06288‐0702 133316 55 HIP 35363 NV Puppis Puppis 07183‐3644 197824 56 HIP 94761 Gliese 752 Aquila Wolf 1055, Ross 652 19169+0510 57 HIP 21683 Sigma2 Tauri Taurus 04393+1555 94054 58 HIP 8497 Chi Ceti Cetus 53 Cet 01496‐1041 148036 59 HIP 26199...
  • Page 53 HC Item Constellation Name 105 HIP 40167 Zeta1 Cancri Cancer Tegmen 08122+1739 97645 106 HIP 40817 Kappa Volantis Volans 08198‐7131 256497 107 HIP 81292 17 Draconis Draco 16362+5255 30013 108 HIP 80197 Nu1 Coronae Borealis Corona Borealis 16224+3348 65257 109 HIP 88060 HD 163756 Sagittarius 17591‐3015 209553 110 HIP 42637 Eta Chamaeleontis Chamaeleon 08413‐7858 256543 111 HIP 21039 81 Tauri...
  • Page 54 HC Item Constellation Name 157 HIP 28790 HD 41742 Puppis 06047‐4505 217706 158 HIP 4675 HD 5788 Andromeda 01001+4443 36832 159 HIP 31676 8 Lyncis Lynx 06377+6129 13897 160 HIP 10176 59 Andromedae Andromeda 02109+3902 55330 161 HIP 25950 HD 36408 Taurus 05322+1703 94630 162 HIP 117931 AL Sculptoris Sculptor 23553‐3155 214860 163 HIP 81914 HD 150591 Scorpius...

  • Page 55: Ioptron Two Year Telescope, Mount, And Controller Warranty

    As a condition to the obligation of iOptron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to iOptron together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to iOptron.

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