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Panther TTS-160 User Manual

Telescope mount
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User manual
January 2019
1/34
www.trackthestars.com

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Summary of Contents for Panther TTS-160

  • Page 1 User manual January 2019 1/34 www.trackthestars.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Set the internal clock ........................8 Setup observation location ......................9 Stellar Alignment / Solar Alignment – “Instant Tracking” ............10 Goto object ..........................12 TTS-160 Hand pad ........................14 Movement control ........................15 Operation screen ........................15 Menu system navigation ......................17 Data input ..........................

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Introduction TTS-160 Panther is an advanced computer controlled telescope mounting with many installed features. It is not necessary to know all features in details to start using the mounting. We have chosen to divide this user manual into two sections: A “quick start” section to get you started observing with the mounting and a more detailed section describing all functions thoroughly.

  • Page 4: Quick Start

    Quick start This section describes how to get started using the mounting quickly. It is described how to: • Setup the mounting • Perform the first alignment • Perform the first GOTO's Setting up the pier 1. Unfold legs and place on ground. Take the pier from the transport bag and place with the red handle upwards.

  • Page 5: Installation Of The Mounting Head

    NOTICE: Tighten until the pier feels stable but do NOT over tighten the handles. Installation of the mounting head NOTICE The Pier Adapter must be installed on the Mounting head before installing the mounting head on the pier. See Appendix B. Place the mounting head on the pier When the mounting head is placed on the top of the pier the locking screw of the pier adapter automatically catch the threaded hole in...

  • Page 6: Mounting The Telescope

    screws. Note that the right hand screw is tightened in counter clockwise direction. Mount a counter weight on each arm. Ensure the handle on the counterweight is loosened. Insert the locking screw head in the keyhole at the top end of the slot in the counter weight arm. Slide the counter weight gently to the bottom of the slot and lock it there with the handle.

  • Page 7: Powering Up The Mounting

    Balancing telescope and mounting Start by balancing the telescope lengthwise. Leave the counter weights in the lowest position and the telescope HORIZONTAL. The two altitude hand screws are loosened and the telescope is tilted up and down to feel the balance. Release the dovetail locking screws and slide the telescope in the dovetail saddle until the balance is right.

  • Page 8: Set The Internal Clock

    WARNING: All cables for the mount must be connected before the power is switched on /battery Using the hand pad The hand pad contains a display and 3 knobs. Each knob can be used as both rotational encoder and pushbutton. The functionality of the knobs are: Altitude knobs: Rotating any of the two knobs adjusts movement in altitude...

  • Page 9: Setup Observation Location

    Scroll to set each digit. Press ENTER to step to next digit. The entered time is activated when ENTER is pressed for the input seconds. TTS-160 Panther stores the time in a Real Time Clock with battery backup. This means that time is kept also when the mounting is switched off.

  • Page 10: Stellar Alignment / Solar Alignment - "Instant Tracking

    Tokyo • Local horizon: Enter the wanted local horizon. This is the lowest altitude the mount will goto automatically. Can be left unchanged at 0 Stellar Alignment / Solar Alignment – “Instant Tracking” 9. Aligning the mounting - using just one object – “Instant Tracking” The hand pad starts up with the text :Track The Stars.
  • Page 11 This opens the operation screen Align * 1 Center and press ok 01:23:45 45:10:12 ENTER STOP Point the telescope at the selected star (or sun/planet) using the hand pad knobs. When the star is exactly centered in the eyepiece press the OK knob (left knob).

  • Page 12: Goto Object

    Select the constellation and the actual star. Center the star and press OK The alignment is now completed and this screen is displayed. Alignment Successful Calculated Latitude 55.34 Press any key The calculated latitude should be close to the actual latitude. This latitude is calculated only from the alignment data and takes into account if the mount pier is not vertical.
  • Page 13 CANCEL The mounting centers and tracks the object. The TTS-160 Panther Mount is constructed to be driven by the internal motors and not pushed by hand. If it is a wish to move the mount manually by hand it is necessary first to loosen the Azimuth friction drive. Please see Appendix A.

  • Page 14: Tts-160 Hand Pad

    TTS-160 Hand pad The hand pad controls all mounting functions – motor movements, menu navigation and data input. The hand pad contains a display and 3 knobs. Each knob can be used as both rotational encoder and pushbutton. When rotated the knobs moves with small clicks.

  • Page 15: Movement Control

    Movement control When the hand pad is in the operation screen the mount can be moved by turning the knobs. The azimuth knob controls movement in azimuth and both the altitude knobs controls movement in altitude. In this relation the left and right altitude knobs has exactly the same function.
  • Page 16 Alignment status Tracking Status Battery status Speed/Distance mode Object number Movement indication Object description Coordinates Coordinates Decl./alt. Rigthas./azimuth Pushbuttom function Detailed description of the fields: • Object number: Displays catalog and object number for the selected object. Otherwise the field is empty. •...

  • Page 17: Menu System Navigation

    • Object description: Description of object from the selected object catalog. • Coordinates: Left Coordinate is RA ,AZ or “field rotation angle” depending on what is selected. Right Coordinate is DEC, ALT or “field rotation speed” depending on what is selected. •...
  • Page 18 – minutes (0-59) – seconds (0-59) – degrees (-89 -+89) Each main part is selected by pressing ENTER. When editing locations the location name is entered scrolling one letter at a time and confirmed by pressing ENTER. When the name is completed the NEXT knob (left knob) is pressed.

  • Page 19: Tts-160 Control Software

    TTS-160 control software This section describes the software in details. It is suited for looking up specific functions. Menu tree TTS-160 The lines written in italic bring you to another menu. The other lines select a function performing an action. Menu points in red are special setup functions not needed/described here.

  • Page 20: Main Menu

    Main menu Align Menu Setup Menu Operation Menu Park Mount • Align menu: Select this to align the mounting. Start always here. • Setup menu: Select this to setup the basic parameters. This menu is not used on every observation session. •...

  • Page 21: Align Mount Menu

    When aligning on 1 star the alignment information shown is related directly to the latitude of the selected observation location. Align mount menu Select this menu to perform a new 1 star alignment or to add a 2 star to an already completed 1/2 star alignment.
  • Page 22 1 Align * The operation screen is now displayed. Center and press ok Slew to the selected star and center it using 01:23:45 +45:10:12 the hand pad. Press OK when the star is STEP STOP exactly centered. First alignment star is now completed and the Alignment Successful result of the alignment is shown.
  • Page 23 Use this function to set date and time. The entered time is activated when OK is pressed Set date and time for the input seconds. TTS-160 stores the time 24:12:2005 in a Real Time Clock with battery backup. This 12:21:55...
  • Page 24 latitudes are positive. • Longitude: Enter longitude in degrees, arcminutes and arcseconds. Western longitudes are positive. • Time zone: Enter the local time zone. The time zone is the difference between local time and UT. Note that it is necessary to handle daylight saving time when entering the time zone.

  • Page 25: Operation Menu

    Operation menu The operation menu is the most used menu. When changing from the operation screen to the menu system the operation menu is always displayed first. The operation menu contains the following functions: Goto Object Menu Select this function to perform a GOTO. The Goto Menu is described later. 10”...

  • Page 26: Goto Object Menu

    • Alt./Azimuth Azimuth counted from north through east. • Mounting coordinates Displays the angles for each of the mounting axles. The horizontal coordinate is growing from west towards east. The angles start at zero when the mounting is powered up. Note that the altitude coordinates are changed when an alignment is performed.

  • Page 27: Control Via Pc, Ipad, Mobile Device

    Operation menu Select this function to return to the operation menu. Control via PC, IPAD, Mobile device The TTS-160 mounting can be controlled from a connected PC. The interface is based on the LX200 protocol that is supported by most planetarium software packages. ASCOM drivers for LX200 can be used.

  • Page 28: Wifi Adapter Like Sci-Fi Works Equally Well

    • Connect the cable to the PC interface on the mounting. Wifi adapter like SCi-Fi works equally well. Using the PC control The LX200 interface is always ready to use. Therefore it is only necessary to open the connection from the PC (Note that the mounting first must be aligned using the hand pad): •...

  • Page 29: Wire Connections For The Serial Interface

    Appendix A Wire connections for the serial interface The connector for connecting a PC has the following connections: Note that a standard PC connection cable is supplied with the mounting. Extra cables can be supplied. Wire connections for autoguider interface The connector for autoguider has the following connections: 1 = 5V 2= Ground...

  • Page 30: Adjustment Of Azimuth Friction Drive

    Adjustment of Azimuth friction drive The Azimuth drive is a 2 stage construction. The first stage is a worm gear with a backlash free spring loaded worm assembly. The second stage is an internal friction drive. The friction of the friction drive can be adjusted. From the Factory the friction drive is adjusted fairly tight meaning the mount can only be turned by the internal motors.
  • Page 31 5. First loosen hexagonal socket screw behind each of the two plastic caps. WARNING: Do not loosen the screws more than 2 full turns. Otherwise the screws might will out of the threaded hole. With both screws loosened its easy to rotate the mount head housing by hand.

  • Page 32: Mounting The Pier Adapter On The Mount Head

    Unscrew the 6 screws and remove the base plate and the star shaped handle plate. 2. Mount Pier Adapter top baseplate on TTS-160 Mounting Head The altitude clutches on the Mounting Head is locked firmly. Place the Mounting Head on a stable table upside down on the Telescope Saddle plate.
  • Page 33 WARNING: Secure Altitude clutches before placing mount head upside down. Be careful not to knock over the head. Place the Pier adapter top plate on the mount head and fix with screw (Metric ø8mm x 20mm) Tighten firmly with enclosed Allan Key - do not over-tighten. 3.
  • Page 34 Tighten the screws with the enclosed Allan key. The mount head with the Pier adapter is now ready for use on the Pier. NOTICE: The Pier Adapter stays on the Mounting Head. It will fit in the transport bag. January 2019 34/34 www.trackthestars.com...

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