Bought these 2 motors/ gearboxes (60;1) and Autostar controller with a view to use them to convert my dobbie to GOTO, but found they were too small for my job. Would be ideal for smaller dobbie (!) or converting an EQ to GOTO. Plenty of info on the web.
As new, never used. Would like to trade for a Powermate x3 or UO Klee Barlow. Cost me over A$ 220 to get them here.Or may an offer.
I'd guess they'd work for a 6" or 8" dobbie, I'm sure some of the guys on the forum have already used them. Maybe they can give more info. The Autostar controller I believe give various rates x8 down to tracking speed. Don't have the details to hand but Telescope warehouse on Ebay has the full specs and photos. Can be used on alt-az and eq mountings, full GOTO capabilities.
If necessary I can post photos over the wekend.
So is the controller GOTO? 8x speed would be very slow goto.
I am thinking out loud with this and it may suit a little project I have coming up. Can you post some links to specs etc? I am new to Meade stuff, and googling those p/n's came up with rubbish!
Photos would be good.
Cheers
Couldn't get on the forum yesterday. I'll post some photos tonight. The GOTO speed I think is 4 deg/ sec (or something like that) The motors/ gears were designed to be fitted to the Meade DS models.
The attached photos show the motors, gears and hand controller as well as the Autostar #497 (latest issue) GOTO computer controller. 14000 objects in database and can be upgraded. With the 60:1 gears the manual says 5 deg/ sec during GOTO slewing. Designed for the DS series telescopes, up to 5" aperture. Full documentation etc.
Thanks Merlin... I have done some digging, and it looks like those motors are going to be too small for my "project".
Thanks for posting the images. Looks like a good kit for someone with a smaller setup.
Cheers
Hi Paul,
Perhaps, but from what I can tell the shaft speed will wrong for RA tracking. You'd need to do some hacking to get it right for GM-8. Also it'll probably need to be very well balanced!
The GM8 I believe has 180:1 gears so there may be a reduction in GOTO speed. The motors can be "adapted" to fit the existing worm so I think it could used. Just Google on "GOTO telescopes" you'll find a lot of reference materials.
Robby/ 1Ponders,
Definately NOT an issue with tracking. The Autostar controller can be "re-set" to almost any final gear ratio to facilitate accurate tracking, I think the only downside is the reduction in fast slewing?
Hmmmm, I'll have to think about this one. Not being the "adapting" nor "hacking" type . Just looking for a cheaper solution than either Gemini (unless someone has a second hand one for a GM8 out there somewhere) or new encoders for existing Argo Navis.
Come on guys!!! The chance to covert your EQ/ dobbie to full GOTO with the latest Autostar controller..... what a deal. (Or trade for that UO Klee barlow/ Shorty barlow)
Is this really a size issue, or a balance and friction one.
The smallest motor can drive a telescope if the friction and balance is right.
get rid of the teflon blocks and put real bearings in.
That should solve all your problems.
If you wanted to you could use a bigger servo mottro like the pittman. The yahoo groups "roboscope" has details (in there file section) on how to modify the DS circuit to work with Pittman Servo motors.
I have given doing this much consideration. However my lack of carpentary skills limits is holding me back. If i could but find a custom rocker base with appropriate bearings i would consider it. As you say Mike with appropriate bearings you can even use the DS motors.
This mount is an idea if anyone here is game to build it.. If you are then let me know maybe you can build two
I belive with Either as and appropriate bearings even the DS motors could be made to perform. If you check out the Roboscop group you will see what is possible.
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
. Just looking for a cheaper solution than either Gemini (unless someone has a second hand one for a GM8 out there somewhere) or new encoders for existing Argo Navis.
