ZWO AM3 User Manual
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ZWO AM3 User Manual

ZWO AM3 User Manual

Strain wave gear mount
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Summary of Contents for ZWO AM3

  • Page 1 ZWO-AM3 User Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Preface Tips Included Items 1. Product Introduction 2. Performance Parameters 3. How to Use 3.1 Introduction to the equatorial mount 3.2 Introduction to the hand controller 3.3 Mounting the equatorial mount 3.3.1 mount installation 3.3.2 Handle Controller Connection 3.3.3 Bluetooth connection 3.3.4 Pier extension (optional) installation 3.3.5 Counterweight (optional) installation...
  • Page 3 Preface Thank you for purchasing the ZWO AM3 Strain Wave Gear Mount. After years of research, ZWO developed strain wave gears to meet the astrophotography needs of low periodic error, stable transmission, and high torque output. Each mount has a PE curve for performance measurement.
  • Page 4 3.After the use of the AM3, please reset the mount’s position to zero (home position), and then power down the mount. Failing to do this step will cause the home position and GOTO function to be inaccurate at the next start up, which might further cause equipment damage or personal injury.
  • Page 5 Included Items 1. Case x1 2. AM3 mount x1 3. 2m USB2.0 cable (Type-B to Type-A) x1 4. AM3 Periodic error report x1 5. Quick Guide Brochure x1 6. Hand Controller x1 7. 2m Hand Controller Cable x1 8. M6 Allen key x1...

  • Page 6: Product Introduction

    4. Dual mode: AM3 has two modes: equatorial mount and alt-azimuth, suitable for visual use and photography. 5. No restrictions on areas of use: AM3 is designed with a pitch angle of 0-90 degrees, and can also be used in equator and polar regions.
  • Page 7 3. Power-off brake: Prevents the telescope and equipment from falling and resulting in damage or injury during a power failure. 4. ASIAIR, PC use seamless connection: ASIAIR can connect and control AM3 through wireless or wired way, and the PC supports ASCOM and INDI to control.

  • Page 8: Performance Parameters

    2. Performance Parameters Description Mount type German Equatorial Mount Mount mode Equatorial/Alt-Azimuth Drive Strain Wave Gear + synchronous belt (300:1 reduction ratio) Periodic error <±15'' PE duration 288s Stepper motor + synchronous belt + 14 type 100 reduction ratio Drive (RA) harmonic + brake Stepper motor + synchronous belt + 14 type 100 reduction ratio Drive (DEC)

  • Page 9: How To Use

    3. How to Use 3.1 Introduction to the equatorial mount ① Finder shoe slot mounting holes: Can be used to install finder shoe or ASIAIR. ② Power switch: Turn the power on or off. ③ Counterweight screw hole: Unscrew the cover to connect the optional counterweight bar and counterweight.
  • Page 10 ⑧ Dovetail saddle plate tension knob: Can be used to adjust the width to fit Vixen and Losmandy style dovetails. ⑨ Auto guide: Can be used to connect a ST4 guide cable. ⑩ USB 2.0 interface: Can be used to control the mount and upgrade the firmware. You can also connect USB devices, including your computer to it.
  • Page 11 ⑬ Power in: 12V/3A-6A, DC D5.5x2.1mm (Positive inside and negative outside). The power voltage should not be less than 10.8v. Otherwise the buzzer inside the mount will beep to alert the user. 12V power output port: After the main body is connected to the power supply, it can be connected here to supply power to devices such as AISAIR.

  • Page 12: Introduction To The Hand Controller

    Cancel button: Long press for 3 seconds to cancel the current function. Mode switching: When AM3 is powered off, long press the cancel button until you get the AM3 mount powered and the light indicator switches the color. The mount will be successfully switched to another mode then.

  • Page 13: Mounting The Equatorial Mount

    12345678 3.3 Mounting the equatorial mount 3.3.1 Mount installation *Tripod model: ZWO carbon fiber TC40 Unfold the tripod Secure the Installation Disk: Use a hexagonal wrench to attach 3 x M6 screws to fix the mounting plate on the main body of...

  • Page 14: Handle Controller Connection

    (as shown in Figure 1 below), and turn the knob clockwise to lock it. 3.3.2 Handle Controller Connection Use the coiled cable to connect the hand controller to the AM3 mount body. The hand controller has a WiFi hotspot, which can be connected to use wireless control of the equatorial mount.

  • Page 15: Bluetooth Connection

    3.3.3 Bluetooth connection The AM3 has the new feature of Bluetooth. If you forget to bring the hand controller, you can control the mount via Bluetooth on your phone. Here are the steps: Launch ASI Mount App, go Mount setting and then choose Bluetooth to connect. Follow the...

  • Page 16: Pier Extension (Optional) Installation

    3.3.4 Pier extension (optional) installation First, install the pier extension onto the tripod. Then install the mount onto the pier extension and tighten the knobs. Installation completes.

  • Page 17: Counterweight (Optional) Installation

    8KG, and the interface thread of the counterweight Counterweight installation steps 1. Find the mounting screw hole for the counterweight at the bottom of the AM3 mount body. The screw hole will have a silver color plug in.

  • Page 18: Asiair (Optional) Installation

    3.3.6 ASIAIR (optional) installation Remove or buy a finder mirror slot and put it on the side of the dovetail slot, ASIAIR can be installed on the side of the dovetail slot or on the main mirror.

  • Page 19: Use Of Equatorial Mount

    3.4.1 How to adjust the pitch angle from the first gear to the second gear? Equatorial mount gear introduction: The pitch angle adjustment of the equatorial mount AM3 is divided into two gears, the first gear pitch angle range: 0~60°; the second gear pitch angle range: 45°~90°. When the equatorial mount is in the first gear, the maximum adjustment angle can only reach 60°.
  • Page 20 To adjust the pitch angle from 0° to 90°, the steps are as follows: Loosen the tension grips on both sides, rotate the altitude adjustment grip clockwise till you can clearly see the hex screws appearing out of the screw holes (approximately 45° latitude scale in Gear 1).
  • Page 21 Pull the mount head, you’ll notice the two hex screws are sliding to the bottom place of the inner slideway, while the latitude scale is currently pointing at 45°. Retighten the hex screws on both sides. Now the mount is at Gear 2, you need to re-tighten the two hex screws to avoid looseness and any possible damage.

  • Page 22: How To Adjust The Azimuth Scale

    To switch from Gear two to Gear one, just take the above steps in reverse. 3.4.2 How to adjust the azimuth scale? Loosen the Azimuth locks, then rotate Azimuth adjusting knob to adjust the Azimuth scale.

  • Page 23: How To Switch The Equatorial Mode To Alt-Azimuth Mode

    Step 2: Switch from the equatorial mode to alt-azimuth mode Connect the hand controller, long press the Cancel Button, then turn on the AM3 mount power until the indicator light turns green, then release the Cancel Button to enter the alt-azimuth mode.

  • Page 24: How To Connect The Computer To Control The Equatorial Mount

    3.5 How to connect the computer to control the equatorial mount? Preparation: Connect the equatorial mount to the power supply, and use the ZWO USB2.0 data cable to connect the USB port on the equatorial mount to the USB interface on the computer.
  • Page 25 Install the application software that supports ASCOM driver, such as: MaxIm DL, NINA, SGP, etc., can control the AM3 equatorial mount. Select ASIMount ① under the corresponding software equatorial mount, then click 【Properties.】 ②, a new dialog box will pop up.
  • Page 26 Click the drop-down menu button ① in the new window , select an interface* ② , and then click [Connect] ③ to connect the mount and the computer. *Note: The selected interface serial number can be found in the computer management, as shown in the figure below;...

  • Page 27: How To Use Asiair To Control The Equatorial Mount

    The connection is successful! Press and hold the bearing button to control the movement of the equatorial mount. 3.6 How to use ASIAIR to control the equatorial mount? Fix the ASIAIR on the mount body...
  • Page 28 Open the ASIAIR APP to enter the equatorial mount selection page, select OnStep beta, (Should be AM3 Mount) and then click the button to start the application. The serial port will show that it is connected , and the parameters of the corresponding equatorial mount will be displayed on the...

  • Page 29: Structural Dimensions

    Return to the main page of the APP to set or turn on each device, you can control the equatorial mount through ASIAIR. 4. Structural Dimensions...

  • Page 30: After Sales

    5. After sales https://www.zwoastro.cn For software upgrade, please download the update directly from the following official website, " Official Website Homepage - Technical Support - Software “. https://www.zwoastro.com/downloads For repairs and other services, please contact us. Email address: info@zwoptical.com 1. For products that are normally repaired or replaced within the warranty period, the user will bear the cost of sending them back.

  • Page 31: Warranty

    RMA code for reference. ZWO will not accept any product sent back without an RMA number without ZWO's written confirmation. 3. If the user purchased the ZWO product from a ZWO agent, he can directly contact the ZWO agent to obtain relevant after-sales service.
  • Page 32 ZWO, then ZWO will provide relevant return and exchange services; if the product is directly sold or shipped to the user by the ZWO agent , the ZWO agent will be responsible for providing relevant return and exchange services.
  • Page 33 7) Physical damage and failure of the product caused by irresistible external forces (such as floods, fires, earthquakes, lightning strikes and other strong vibrations or extrusions); 8) Damage caused by improper user operation during shooting or use; 9) There is no valid product purchase invoice and warranty certificate; 10) The product purchased by the customer is a second-hand product.
  • Page 34 theequipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more ofthe following measures: —Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. —Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. —Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver isconnected.
  • Page 35 This device complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Compliance licence-exempt RSS standard (s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference,including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence.

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