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Summary of Contents for ASTRO-PHYSICS GTOCP2
- Page 1 ASTRO-PHYSICS 1200 GERMAN EQUATORIAL WITH GTO SERVO MOTOR DRIVE Model GTOCP2 February 26, 2002...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
1200 GERMAN EQUATORIAL WITH GTO SERVO MOTOR DRIVE MODEL 1200GTO PARTS LIST – MODEL GTOCP2 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS INTRODUCTION Why Polar Alignment is Important Compensation for the Earth’s rotation ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Before You Leave Home Before You Leave Home Gross Latitude Adjustment... - Page 4 MOUNT MAINTENANCE AND ALIGNMENT TROUBLESHOOTING INSTALLATION OF ENCODERS AND ENCODER HOUSINGS -1200 MOUNT Fitting Declination Encoder Housing Fitting Right Ascension Encoder Housing Periodic Maintenance...
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Page 5: Model 1200Gto Parts List - Model Gtocp2
Pier accessory trays for 10” pier and support bars - handy to keep your eyepieces close at hand Polar axis telescope - threads into the base of the polar axis assembly. Many users find a polar axis telescope useful for zeroing in on the pole quickly, particularly with telescopes that are not orthogonal to the mount. -
Page 6: Introduction
(or touchpad). You can remain at the eyepiece while you direct your telescope with verbal commands. There is no need to put a flashlight in your mouth to see the keyboard. -
Page 7: Assembly Instructions
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Please read all instructions before attempting to set up your 1200 mount. The Model 1200 is very rugged, however like any precision instrument, it can be damaged by improper use and handling. Please refer to Diagram 2 for an illustration of the mount. -
Page 8: Before You Leave Home
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. -
Page 9: Attach Pier Adapter To Pier Post
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. Attach two of the screws (one on either side of the adjuster bar), but do not tighten. -
Page 10: Assemble Polar Axis Assembly To Pier Or Tripod
We recommend that you do your rough polar alignment with the R.A. axis only since you will be making major adjustments to the position of the mount at this time. The remainder of the mount, telescope and counterweights would add considerable weight and require more hand effort. -
Page 11: Assemble Declination Axis
Assemble Declination Axis Do not have your telescope or counterweights connected to the Dec. axis assembly for either assembly or disassembly of the Dec. and RA axes. Position the R.A. axis as shown in Diagram 7 with the pocket "A" at the top, opposite the altitude adjuster knob. -
Page 12: Attach Mounting Plate (Purchased Separately)
Attach Mounting Plate (purchased separately) Several mounting plates are available for the 1200 mount. If you own more than one instrument, you may need more than one plate. Follow the appropriate directions for the plate(s) that you have. 18" FLAT MOUNTING PLATE (FP1800) This plate is 18"... -
Page 13: Attach Mounting Rings (Purchased Separately)
If you are planning long exposure astrophotos, we suggest that you use the polar axis telescope, then tweak the final polar alignment by star drifting. Please refer to the “GTO Quick Star Drift Method of Polar Alignment”... -
Page 14: Operation Of The Mounting
With the above assembly (with the clutch knobs firmly hand tightened - "as shipped"), you can feel the amount of force needed to move each axis by hand. Grab each end of the telescope mounting plate and move it with a backward and forward movement of the Dec. - Page 15 Now, tighten the declination axis clutch knobs and position the telescope horizontal and the declination axis horizontal. The center of the counterweights is now the same height as the middle of the tube.
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Page 16: Servo Motor Drive
SERVO MOTOR DRIVE GTO Control Box – Model GTOCP2 The GTO control box contains all of the circuitry to drive the two servo motors and the logic required to navigate the sky. It will be operational and track at the sidereal rate when connected to both motors of the mount and a power source. In order... -
Page 17: N And Switch
RA and Dec coordinates simultaneously, both programs are continually updated with the data from the mount. You can watch the screen display of TheSky to see where your telescope is pointing as it slews. This is most effective if you have a reasonably fast computer with plenty of RAM. -
Page 18: Prevent The Cables From Tangling
We suggest that you position your cabling carefully to avoid a tangled mess. When your cables are set up, move the telescope manually throughout the normal range of movement to be sure that the cables do not catch on anything and that you have enough length. -
Page 19: Mount Maintenance And Alignment
The motors are overloaded, probably due to an unbalanced load on your mount. Rebalance your telescope, and then press one of the N-S-E-W buttons to reset the keypad. Re-enter the last object on your keypad and the scope will slew to the correct position. Even though your motors had stopped, the logic in the control box retained the scope position in memory. - Page 20 Recommended Reading from our Staff: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, Camden House 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. This book provides excellent explanations and is well organized and illustrated.
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Page 21: Installation Of Encoders And Encoder Housings -1200 Mount
R.A. Axis Adapter (clear anodized - silver colored), labeled R.A. Dec. Axis Adapter (clear anodized - silver colored), labeled Dec. To install your encoders, first remove the telescope from your mount. Remove your declination counter weight(s) and declination counterweight shaft. -
Page 22: Fitting Right Ascension Encoder Housing
Please continue to read these directions since you may need to remove and reinstall the encoders if you use a polar alignment scope. Since the polar axis telescope and R.A. axis adapter thread into the same location, you will need to switch back and forth between them as needed.
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