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iOptron GEM45EC Instruction Manual

German equatorial mount
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iOptron
GEM45 German Equatorial Mount
Instruction Manual
Product GEM45 (#7603A), GEM45EC (#7603ECA) and GEM45G (#7603AG)

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Summary of Contents for iOptron GEM45EC

  • Page 1 ® iOptron GEM45 German Equatorial Mount Instruction Manual Product GEM45 (#7603A), GEM45EC (#7603ECA) and GEM45G (#7603AG)
  • Page 2 Any worm system damage due to improper operation will not be covered by iOptron’s limited warranty. If you have any questions please contact us at support@ioptron.com WARNING! NEVER USE A TELESCOPE TO LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT A PROPER FILTER! Looking at or near the Sun will cause instant and irreversible damage to your eye.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................... 3 1. GEM45 Introduction ............................5 2. GEM45 Overview ............................6 2.1. Parts List ..............................6 2.2. Identification of Parts ..........................7 2.3. GEM45 Mount Basic Cable Connection ....................7 2.3.1. Power Panel on Rear of RA axis ...................... 7 2.3.2.
  • Page 4 Appendix H. Computer Control a GEM45 Mount ................... 54 IOPTRON TWO YEAR TELESCOPE, MOUNT, AND CONTROLLER WARRANTY ......55 Ver. 2.1 2021.3 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: Gem45 Introduction

     Built-in iGuider guiding camera for GEM45G  Low periodic error: <±7 arc seconds for GEM45 and GEM45G, < 0.25 arcsec RMS for GEM45EC  Permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) or Real-time periodic error correction (for GEM45EC)  Precision stepper motor for precise GOTO and accurate tracking ...

  • Page 6: Gem45 Overview

    Your new GEM45 mount comes in three shipping boxes. Box 1 contains either a GEM45 (#7620A), a GEM45G (#7620AG) or GEM45EC (#7620ECA) mount head, hand controller, counterweight shaft, and accessories. Box 2 contains the LiteRoc tripod (#7623). Box 3 is a 11lbs (5kg) counterweight (#8027).

  • Page 7: Identification Of Parts

    2.2. Identification of Parts Figure 1.GEM45 mount assembly (GEM45G Shown) 2.3. GEM45 Mount Basic Cable Connection 2.3.1. Power Panel on Rear of RA axis Figure 2. GEM45 Power Panel on Rear of RA axis  POWER (I/O): Power Switch  DC 12V 5A: DC power socket to power the mount (2.5mmX5.5mm, center positive) ...

  • Page 8: Ports On Main Control Board

    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 ST-4 guiding camera cable into this port, It will damage the guide camera electronics.
  • Page 9 Figure 6. ST-4 Compatible Guiding Port Wiring...

  • Page 10: Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller

    ® 2.4. Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller ® The Go2Nova 8407+ hand controller (HC) shown in Figure 7 is the standard controller used on the GEM45 mount. It has an integrated heater that ensures the LCD display will work at the temperature as low as - 10ºC.

  • Page 11: The Lcd Screen

     HBX (Handbox) port: connect the HC to the GEM45 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 8. Figure 8.

  • Page 12: Check The Hand Controller Battery

     Stop: mount is not moving;  Slew: mount is moving with an arrow key is pressed or a GOTO command, such as “Select and Slew” or “Goto Zero Position”;  Tracking: mount is at a tracking status. 10. GPS status: When the power is turned on, the initial GPS status will be “GPS ON”, which means that the mount is connected to its GPS receiver and is seeking a satellite signal.

  • Page 13: Gem45 Mount Assembly

    3. GEM45 Mount Assembly 3.1. GEM45 Mount Assembly NOTE: The GEM45 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. WARNING: DO NOT rock the counterweight shaft rigorously.
  • 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.
  • Page 15 Figure 14. Latitude mark window Unthread and remove the Position Bolt to its new location. Adjust the Latitude Adjustment Knob while holding the brass eyebolt until it lines up with the Position Bolt. Secure the Latitude Position Bolt. Position Bolt Figure 15.
  • Page 16 STEP 6. Install Counterweight(s) Before putting on CW, make sure the mount is at its zero position, i.e., CW shaft points to the ground. Disengage the R.A. Gear Switch to set the R.A. axis free before loading the CW. Remove the CW Safety Cap at the end of CW Shaft.
  • Page 17 Figure 18. Balance a mount Return the mount to Zero Position after balancing and engage gear switches. STEP 8. Connect Cables Plug in included 12V/5A DC power supply to the DC12V 5A socket, which is located at the end of the RA axis.
  • Page 18 If you want to use the iPort for another accessory, such as WIFI adapter (iStarFi #7434), or electronic focuser (#8451/#8452), you may disconnect the GPS module after it picks up satellites signals and displays GPS OK on hand controller. (It takes about 1 to 2 minutes in normal conditions). STEP 9.
  • Page 19  Los Angeles is “UTC -480 minutes”  Rome is “UTC +60 minutes”  Beijing is “UTC +480 minutes”  Sydney is “UTC +600 minutes” All the time zones in North America are “UTC –“, as shown in the following table, so ensure the display shows “UTC -”...
  • Page 20  Download and install iPolar Software (first time use)  Connect a USB cable between the iPolar port on the mount and a computer USB port  Calibrate the iPolar Rotation Center (first time use)  Start polar alignment by following on screen instructions BrightStar Polar Alignment If you can’t use the iPolar for some reason, you may use the drift alignment for precise polar alignment.

  • Page 21: Getting Started

    4. Getting Started ® In order to experience the full GOTO capability of GOTONOVA technology it is very important to set up the mount correctly before observation. 4.1. Setting the Mount and Performing Polar Alignment Assemble your GEM45 mount according to Section 3.1. Make sure the mount is leveled. Turn the mount power switch on.

  • Page 22: Power-Down Memorization

    4.6. Power-Down Memorization The GEM45 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.

  • Page 23: 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. ® 8407+ hand controller has a database of around 212,000 objects.

  • Page 24: 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 25: 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 26: Beep Settings

    5.4.2. Beep Settings The Hand Controller allows a user to turn off the beep partially, or even go to a silent mode. To change this setting press “MENU =>Settings => Beep Settings”, Set Up Time and Site Beep Settings Display Settings Set Guiding Rates Set Tracking Rate Set Parking Position...

  • Page 27: Set Tracking Rate

    Losmandy/ Takahashi/ Vixen, make sure a proper guiding cable is used. Refer to your guiding camera and guiding software for detailed operation. 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.

  • Page 28: Set Ra Guiding

    The power on default setting is “Allow RA Guiding”. 5.4.12. Language Select one of supported menu languages. Currently it has English and Chinese. 5.5. Electric Focuser This function controls an iOptron electric focuser. 5.6. PEC Option This function only works for a non-EC GEM45 mount. 5.6.1. PEC Playback You can turn “PEC Playback On”...

  • Page 29: 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 30: Firmware Information

    Add a New Object Browse Objects Delete One Object Delete All Objects Select “Add a New Object”. A screen will be displayed asking you to Enter R.A. and DEC coordinates: Enter R.A. and DEC R.A.: 00h00m00s DEC: +00d00m00s You may enter the R.A. and DEC coordinates of the object you want to store, and press ENTER to confirm. A more useful application of this function is to store your favorite viewing objects before heading to the field.

  • Page 31: Maintenance And Servicing

    Customer Service hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. In the event that the GEM45 requires factory servicing or repairing, write or call iOptron Customer Service Department first to receive an RMA# before returning the mount to the factory. Please provide details as to the nature of the problem as well as your name, address, e-mail address, purchase information and daytime telephone number.

  • Page 32: Appendix A. Technical Specifications

    Right Ascension worm wheel Φ110mm, 216 teeth aluminum Declination worm wheel PPEC/Real time PEC <±7 arcsec p-p (GEM45, GEM45G), or Tracking accuracy (PE)** <0.25 arcsec RMS (GEM45EC) Φ28x 280 mm Stainless Steel (1.2kg) Counterweight shaft Counterweight 11 lb (5 kg) Φ120 mm...

  • Page 33: Appendix B. Go2Nova

    ® 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 34 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 35 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 36: Appendix C. Go2Nova Star List

    ® Appendix C. 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...
  • Page 37 Messier Catalog This table is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article List of Messier objects...
  • Page 38 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 39 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 40 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 41 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...
  • Page 42 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...
  • Page 43 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...
  • Page 44 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...

  • Page 45: Appendix D. Gear Meshing Adjustment

    Appendix D. Gear Meshing Adjustment GEM45 gear is designed adjustable by customer although in most cases not necessary. If you experienced DEC/RA motor stall occasionally, or there is free play between the worm and gear, follow this instruction to adjust the gear meshing. Tool needed: 2mm and 3mm hex keys.
  • Page 46 The RA gear meshing adjustment screw is located next to the RA Gear Switch. The adjustment is same as that for DEC gear/worm. DO NOT over tighten the gear meshing adjustment plunger to avoid damage it. Please contact support@ioptron.com if you need more information.

  • Page 47: Appendix E. Polar Alignment Using Ipolar Electronic Polarscope

    (1) Connect the iPolar Electronic Polar Scope 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 48: Appendix F. Iguider For Gem45G

    RA axle Connect the mount to a PC via a USB cable. Check your PC device list via Device Manager. You should see an iOptron iGuider under the Camera. 2. Setup PHD2 Guiding Download freeware PHD2 autoguiding software from https://openphdguiding.org/downloads/.
  • Page 49 Start the PHD2 to start New Profile Wizard: Click on Next. Select “iOptron iGuider (ASCOM Camera)” from the camera selection menu. PHD2 will fill the pixel size (3.75um) automatically, if the camera is connected to the computer Enter 120mm into guide scope focal length tab, and click Next.
  • Page 50 Select a mount that connected to the computer via ASCOM from the dropdown menu. Here “iOptron CEM120/70/40/26,GEM45/28 Mount (ASCOM)” is selected. A default guiding speed is 0.5X. Click Next. In next Adaptive Optics Device setting window, select None and go to Next.
  • Page 51 Make sure you remove the lens cover. You may also check the iGuider camera during daytime by checking Show Preview in iOptron iGuider ASCOM window. Adjust Exposure Time and focuser to show the image.
  • Page 52 (1) Manually slew in DEC to expose the Locking Screw. Loosen it first. (2) Remove iGuider lens cover. (3) Run PHD2 software and select iOptron iGuider (4) Go to a bright star (5) Slide the Focus Adjuster to adjust the focus and bring the star to be shown in the main window.

  • Page 53: Appendix G. Firmware Upgrade

    Appendix G. 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 GEM45 product page. The mount firmware is upgraded via USB port on the mount. The hand controller firmware is upgraded...

  • Page 54: Appendix H. Computer Control A Gem45 Mount

    (Windows OS), or directly by some software, such as Sky Safari (Mac OS).  Connect wirelessly with iOptron iStarFi adapter for GEM45 (#7434). The mount can be controlled via ASCOM protocol (Windows OS), SmartPhone/Pad and Mac OS wirelessly. See iStarFi Instruction Manual for detailed information.

  • 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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