Argo Navis Alt encoder err?

[White Rabbit]

Hi.

Wondering if someone can help me out.

I just recieved my Argo Navis kit for my light bridge. I installed it today but I keep geting alt encoder errors when I test the encoders.

In the manual it says that you will get these if you you are moving the encoder to fast but I'm moving it pretty slowly. It will show movment but if I move faster than a snails pace it loose the encoder.

I've also noticed that the encoder on for Alt is a 5000 step encoder, would that make a differnce. The AZ is a 10000 step encoder and has no problem.

Any Ideas on what could be causing this.

thanks

[MarkN]

G'day White rabbit,

Doncha just hate it when something new arrives, you put it together then come to the realization that something is amiss and it's also the weekend!

I had a similar issue with the ALT encoder on my Bintel 10" which was finally fixed with a new bracket. It's important that the bracket is not exerting any lateral movement on the OTA. The encoder doesn't seem to like this.

Come Monday, don't hesitate to 'phone Gary. He'll see you through this and when going properly it will whiz up and down in ALT without issue.

I'm thinking seriously about a LB 12". No, it's not a huge leap over the 10" but still amounts to 44% more pi as far as surface area goes.

Mark.

[gary]

Hi,

Recommend that you check that the shaft of the Alt encoder is at perfect
right angles with regard the coupling. You have a couple of places to
make an adjustment. Firstly, you can move the encoder shaft in and out
of the grommet coupling. Secondly, you can re-position the end of the
Alt tangent arm bracket where it is fastened with the Velcro tab to the
side of the rocker.

If it is not exactly square, as you rotate the scope in altitude, lateral
forces might be translated to the encoder shaft via the tangent arm.
If the forces are significantly great, this can shift the optical disk inside
the encoder with respect the LED/detector module, putting the grating
on the disk out of collimation. Argo Navis monitors the encoder outputs
and can detect and report state transition violations by way of an ENCODER
ERROR message. Such a situation can arise if the encoder is not mounted
quite square.

The Az encoder is geared by the two timing pulleys by 2:1, so both encoders
provide exactly the same resolution of 10,000 effective steps per revolution
of the scope bearing through 360 degrees.

Don't forget that email support is always available from
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au and if the above does not help,
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[gmbfilter]

I've had encoder error if the encoder slips eg the gears don't drive the encoder...or if I have plugged them in incorrectly. I think that encoders driven by gears may have different numbers of steps to allow for gear raito.
Keep having fun

[White Rabbit]

Thanks guys.

Sorry it's take so long to respond but it was a busy weekend.

Gary, I'll have a look at the suggestions youve made when I get home tonight and get back to you.

I will continue any further questions I have via email.

Thanks