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MODEL 400 PARTS LIST
1
400 Equatorial Head with stepper motors on right ascension and declination axes
1
Stainless counterweight shaft with washer stop and black plastic knob (5/16-18 threaded rod)
1
Dual axis quartz frequency control box
1
"Y" connector cable
1
D.C. power cord (cigarette lighter adapter)
3
Black plastic knobs with ¼-20 threaded rod
1ea. Hex keys 3/16" and 5/16"
2
Red caplugs
1
Piece of Velcro (to attach hand controller to surface of your choice)
In order to fully assemble and use your mount, you will need the following items sold separately: cradle plate, pier or
tripod, portable rechargeable battery pack and counterweights. Several sizes and types are available for your
selection. Many of these items will be discussed throughout these instructions.
Several additional options will help to enhance your observing experience: polar axis telescope with illuminator; high
resolution mounted encoders and JMI computerized digital setting circles, Santa Barbara Instrument Group ST-4 or
ST-6 CCD imaging camera/autoguider.
INTRODUCTION
If you were to take a long exposure photograph
with Polaris (often called the North Star) in the
center of the field, you would discover that all
stars seem to revolve around Polaris. This effect
is due to the rotation of the earth on its axis.
Motor driven equatorial mounts were designed to
compensate for the earth's rotation by moving the
telescope at the same rate and opposite to the
earth's rotation. When the polar axis of the
telescope is pointed at the celestial pole (polar
aligned) as shown in diagram to the right, the
mount will follow (track) the motions of the sun,
moon, planets, and stars. As a result, the object
that you are observing will appear motionless as
you observe through the eyepiece or take
astrophotos.
For visual observation, a rough sighting of Polaris
through the hole in the polar axis is fine.
However, if astrophotography is your goal,
accurate polar alignment is critical.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
the assemble and basic operation of the mount
indoors. The temperature will be comfortable,
the mosquitoes at bay, and you'll have enough
light to see the illustrations and read the manual.
Please take particular note of counterbalancing,
use of the clutches and operation of the hand
controller.
ASTRO-PHYSICS
400 GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT
WITH DUAL AXIS QUARTZ DRIVE
(SILVER-DOME KNOBS)
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Related Manuals for ASTRO-PHYSICS 400
Summary of Contents for ASTRO-PHYSICS 400
- Page 1 WITH DUAL AXIS QUARTZ DRIVE (SILVER-DOME KNOBS) MODEL 400 PARTS LIST 400 Equatorial Head with stepper motors on right ascension and declination axes Stainless counterweight shaft with washer stop and black plastic knob (5/16-18 threaded rod) Dual axis quartz frequency control box “Y”...
- Page 2 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS Please read all instructions before attempting to set up your 400 mount. The Model 400 is very rugged, however like any precision instrument, it can be damaged by improper use and handling. Please refer to diagrams below for illustrations of both sides of the mount.
- Page 3 ASSEMBLE PIER OR TRIPOD Begin by assembling the pier or tripod at the observing location. ADJUSTABLE ALUMINUM TRIPOD: Extend the legs to the desired height; secure with the locking levers. Adjust the distance between the legs. Place the legs far enough apart to provide a solid base of support. ADJUSTABLE HARDWOOD TRIPOD: Remove the tripod from its carrying case and attach the shelf to each of the three legs with the knobs provided.
- Page 4 ALTITUDE AND AZIMUTH ADJUSTMENTS – ROUGH POLAR ALIGNMENT Follow these instructions if you want to rough polar align your mount. If not, you may skip this section and move onto Assemble Cradle Plate and Counterweight Shaft. You may make these adjustments with the telescopes mounted or not, according to your preference.
- Page 5 ASSEMBLE CRADLE PLATE Attach the cradle plate to the top of the declination axis with the four ¼-20 screws provided with the mount. When you have finished your observing session, the cradle plate may remain attached to the declination axis or removed as desired.
- Page 6 The 400 mount is not supplied with any manual slow motion option (no knobs supplied to turn by hand). The high quality, versatile dual axis stepper motor controller will allow you to make all of your fine motion adjustments with ease.
- Page 7 Tracking rate for observing the moon LED KNOB: There is an LED output available on the 400 Dec. axis motor housing as shown in diagram above. You may insert your LED reticle to this plug. Brightness can then be controlled using the MIN to MAX (minimum to maximum) setting of the LED knob.
- Page 8 MOUNT MAINTENANCE AND ALIGNMENT Under normal operating conditions, no maintenance is required. Your 400 mount 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.
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