Anyone know if the EQ6 Pro mount serial cable, could be used in the ArgoNavis command?
Best regards
Víctor
Hi Victor,
Thanks for the post.
If you mean, will the serial cable that is supplied with the EQ6 Pro mount be
compatible with the Argo Navis for interfacing to a PC, then the short answer
is that off-hand I am not familiar with the EQ6 serial port pin assignments,
however, chances are they will be different to that of the Argo Navis.
Ok, Gary thanks. the problem is that I haven't the Argo Navis serial cable scheme for comparison with the use by EQ6 Pro mount
Best regards
Víctor Martínez
Gary;
I apologise if this question has been asked previously (this is a huge thread).
When used with ServoCat, (or other equivalent), does the Argo issue continuous/periodic drive 'instructions' to the mount, in order to correct for pointing errors during tracking ?
Gary;
I apologise if this question has been asked previously (this is a huge thread).
When used with ServoCat, (or other equivalent), does the Argo issue continuous/periodic drive 'instructions' to the mount, in order to correct for pointing errors during tracking ?
Cheers
Hi Craig,
Thanks for the post.
Argo Navis has an in-built feature called TPAS - Telescope Pointing Analysis
System. TPAS can analyze and potentially compensate for a range of common
geometric, gravitational flexure and eccentric bearing errors that occur in mounts.
In the Argo Navis/ServoCAT architecture, Argo Navis performs all the object
offset and tracking rate calculations on behalf of the ServoCAT. The ServoCAT
requests object offset or tracking rate information multiple times per second.
The Argo Navis pointing kernel applies any corrections that exist in a TPAS model.
Tracking is simply the first differential of pointing and so the same corrections
take place during tracking. The nature of these types of errors are that they tend to
vary only slowly whilst a scope tracks. The ServoCAT ensures
that the motors are turning at the tracking rates commanded via the motor's servo
loop. Each servo motor is fitted with an optical encoder on its shaft which feeds
information back to the ServoCAT so that it can ensure the motor has arrived at
a commanded position and is turning at the correct rate.
Argo Navis does not provide for any corrections for phenomena such as
periodic errors in a gear chain, however the ServoCAT has the ability to have
ST-4 corrections sent to it via an autoguider.
Well, if any business needed to know what customer service is all about, then need look no further than this thread.
Gary answered my questions about fitting the Argo to the 12" GSO promptly, no matter what time or day it was. Brilliant stuff - thanks Gary.
The encoders and computer unit are fitted, and ever since then we have had cloud, storms, rain and golf ball size hail. I haven't even fitted the batteries yet! Hope I get a chance to put it through its paces some time soon.
Well, if any business needed to know what customer service is all about, then need look no further than this thread.
Gary answered my questions about fitting the Argo to the 12" GSO promptly, no matter what time or day it was. Brilliant stuff - thanks Gary.
The encoders and computer unit are fitted, and ever since then we have had cloud, storms, rain and golf ball size hail. I haven't even fitted the batteries yet! Hope I get a chance to put it through its paces some time soon.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the post and for your kind comments. Great to hear, weather permitting,
you are ready to roll.
It certainly has been a couple of cloudy and wet weeks of late up and down the East
coast. This afternoon there is a patch of blue sky and sunshine here in Sydney
but I suspect it won't last long. Unfortunately the forecast for the Northern Rivers
for this coming weekend is for isolated showers, so I hope you get lucky and
find a break in the clouds.
Had fiddled with a PCMCIA to RS232 card and with a cheap USB to serial adapter, but they never worked.
Then I had my new little netbook with nothing but 3 USB ports. Time to do what I had been told, I thought.
Thanks to exchange rate, I had a Keyspan in my hands from the US within a few days for $48 (an ebay seller - "mac-memory").
And - it just worked! Well almost immediately. First fun is to install software on a netbook that doesn't have a CD drive. Carried Argonaut and the Keyspan files from another computer onto the netbook via USB memory stick. Managed to get the Keyspan drivers installed and Argonaut fired up OK.
Tried COM1 through COM4 from Argonaut - nothin'. But the Keyspan directory is full of helpful stuff. Ran an assistant program that is full of diagnostics. Quickly found that the Keyspan was connected to COM6. Moved it back to COM1. Didn't work, but maybe my USB Mouse was on that already? Moved it to COM2 - all fine - Argonaut chatting happily to the Argo Navis!
So do yourselves a favour - don't muck around like me - buy the Keyspan!
Hi all,
Pic attached showing Argo in place. The handle is a Rhino brand painting pole, only 400mm long but with a click-stop extender. The top is a paint brush holder with a plastic ball socket with a tightening screw to hold it at a better angle. The clips are new ones with tooth-like rollers that really grip the grooves of the pole, but the cables can be popped off and the unit removed for transport. The wheelbarrow handles were painted black 20mm steel sections from Bunnings, as were all the other bits. The axle is a length of threaded rod. It looks quite OK and should be good in practice. Cables are a bit messy, but I'll leave them loose for now.
Taking off one spring means balance with the heavier Naglers becomes more of an issue away from the zenith, so I've butchered an old speaker for its magnet. Just need the cloud and rain to buzz off. Cheers, Paul.
Last edited by Lismore Bloke; 10-10-2010 at 08:18 AM.
Reason: spelling
The holders are:"GEPRO Roller Gripper"
from Bunnings - fairly new - nice and strong.
Plus I like the fact that I can unplug the pole
and store the main unit safely. Cheers, Paul.
It's turned up and I'm in the process of fitting everything.
Just a quick question, and this will probably be something a g11 owner will know.
In fitting the encoder kit, there is a large gear with 6 pins in it, this is to be fitted to the axis via a set screw which is to be as follows " LOCK SET SCREW ON GEAR INTO SLOT ON SHAFT; TIGHTEN" my problem is there is no slot on shaft, now given this is pre the clutch knob, if I screw it up tight on the shaft then the clutch won't work quite right. The logic of a slot makes sense so it can adjust with the clutch.
So for now I'm going to just lock it onto the round shaft..... If I'm stuffing up let me know.
Well it's all installed, apart from the slot issue, which is losmandy, everything went like clockwork.
I must say he instruction manual is surprisingly easy to work through, at a couple hundred pages long I thought eeeeek, but setting location, mount, time and encoder steps was a doddle, just need a bit of clear sky to set the encoder direction, and do a star align and away I go.
Rain predicted tonight and tommorrow
Really looking forward to using the Argo, star hopping will be a thing of the past, and as every Melbourne astro person knows, time under a clear sky is so precious.
Will update once I've had a night under the stars.
It's turned up and I'm in the process of fitting everything.
Just a quick question, and this will probably be something a g11 owner will know.
In fitting the encoder kit, there is a large gear with 6 pins in it, this is to be fitted to the axis via a set screw which is to be as follows " LOCK SET SCREW ON GEAR INTO SLOT ON SHAFT; TIGHTEN" my problem is there is no slot on shaft, now given this is pre the clutch knob, if I screw it up tight on the shaft then the clutch won't work quite right. The logic of a slot makes sense so it can adjust with the clutch.
So for now I'm going to just lock it onto the round shaft..... If I'm stuffing up let me know.
Clive
Hi Clive,
Thanks for the post.
Losmandy mounts manufactured prior to about 2000 use to have slots or
flats machined on their shafts, so it is probably a reference to that.
However, the kit will install on all GM-8's and G-11's irrespective of their
vintage and irrespective of whether the shafts have slots or not.
Though there are a significant number of these installations out there,
it has been a few years since I had the opportunity to install one in person myself
and I am just looking at the exploded diagram again now to try and refresh
the memory.
My memory is that the large gear stays fixed on the shaft but that the clutch
still works its magic, probably translating the force through the dowel pins
that pass through the holes in the large gear itself.
Please let me know how you get on otherwise I will grab a kit off the shelf
and examine the mechanism some more.
My memory is that the large gear stays fixed on the shaft but that the clutch
still works its magic, probably translating the force through the dowel pins
that pass through the holes in the large gear itself.
Ahha....... The little light comes on, That makes sense, I hadn't given consideration to the dowel pins. I haven't tightened everything up too tight, but given that information, I think we've got it covered.
On a personal note Gary, thankyou for sending the unit so promptly, I doubt the cheque had even cleared when you posted it.
Taken some more time to read through the manual, just working on the section on encoder timing, I have a predilection to always wanting to use gadgets to their highest resolution, couple of issues come to mind , that of the batteries..... Now being in an observatory with a 12 v deep cycle battery at hand the extra cable seems a handy accessory, I cant see me going mobile as such. So how many of you have gone down the path of permanent power?
The information that came with the unit had quite some warnings about misuse of this aspect, my use would see it permanently connected ..... (Although not on all the time), so I cant see a big issue with disconnection, which has one terminal to be removed first. The documentation suggests it is connected to the battery terminals, would it be a problem if a cigarette lighter end was attached as I have my battery in a box with a bunch of those mounted on the outside, again I'm wondering if the order of disconnecting would be a problem as both would be at same time should it be removed. ( that question might be one gary might best advise perhaps).
I'll defer to Gary, but nothing special here, I would expect. I used to power mine through my own power cable from 12V rechargeable batteries. I had a fuse in the +ve line (close to recommended value), and used spade connectors to the battery (so was careful to get the polarity right when conencting). If you have a ciggie lighter plug, then you reduce the incorrect polarity problem and most of those plugs take a fuse in the plug itself. Easy!
ps. you can pull the power plug out of the AN before you disconnect the battery connections - I usually have.
(Now I have power wired in through the SDM wiring. A very clever little in-line-circuit provides solid state over-current protection - no blown fuse to replace! But I have just ordered the encoder kit for my Televue Telepod mount so I will be powering it up by cable when I use the AN unit there. AN directing a set of 10x50 binos! Did I hear anyone say "Overkill!"?)
