5.Install Counterweight (CW): The SmartEQ comes with one 2 lbs (0.9 kg) counterweight. However, because of its unique design, no CW is needed if the payload is less than 4 lbs. The mount and installed batteries will provide balancing weight needed. If a payload is greater than 8.8 lbs (4 kg), additional CW is needed. The Counterweight Shaft is stored inside the mount head. If a CW is needed, release the CW Shaft Locking Screw to pull out the shaft. Mount a CW onto the shaft and tighten the CW Locking Screw to hold the CW in place. Tighten the CW Safety Screw.
|
| Counterweight |
CW shaft |
| |
locking screw |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
CW locking
Retractablescrew
CW shaft
| CW safety | Figure 11. Install CW |
Figure 10. Release CW shaft | screw |
6.Attach and Balance an OTA on the Mount: After attaching an OTA and accessories to the mount, balance the mount in both R.A. and DEC to ensure minimum stress on the mount.
CAUTION: The telescope may swing when the R.A. or DEC clutch is released. Always hold on to the OTA before you release the clutch to prevent it from swinging. It can cause personal injury or damage to the equipment.
Balance the mount in R.A. axis
Release the R.A. Clutch and rotate the R.A. axis to place the DEC axis in the horizontal position. The OTA can be on either side. If the DEC axis stays in the horizontal position, it means the R.A. axis is balanced. Otherwise, you may adjust the length of CW shaft, or install and adjust CW position to balance the mount in R.A. axis. Remember to install the CW Safety Lock and tighten the CW Locking Screw, if a CW is installed.
Balance the mount in DEC. axis
DEC clutch screw
R.A. clutch screw
Figure 12
Balance in DEC axis is not that critical since the maximum
payload is only 11 lbs. Release the DEC Clutch and if the OTA does not rotate along the DEC axis, it is OK. Tighten the DEC Clutch again.
Adjust the Mount to Zero Position: |
|
The Zero Position is the position where the counterweight shaft points to ground, |
|
telescope is at the highest position with its axis parallel to the polar axis and the |
|
telescope is pointing to the Celestial Pole. Loosen the DEC and R.A. Clutches to |
|
adjust the mount to the Zero Position by align three marks located on DEC unit, |
|
R.A. unit and mount, respectively, as shown in Figure 13. Tighten the screws |
|
after adjustment. Make sure the hand controller is also at the zero position, | Figure 13 |
which can be ensured by turn the mount power off and on again. |
7.Manual Operation of the Mount: Now you can observe astronomical objects using the arrow keys of a Go2NovaTM hand controller. Flip the I/O switch on the telescope mount to turn on the mount. Use ►,◄,▼ or ▲ buttons to point the telescope to the desired object. Use the number keys to change the slewing speed. Then press 0 button to start tracking.
4
iOptron Corp. 6E Gill Street Woburn, MA 01801 USA (781)