Hi Andrea,

My previous thread didn't get a single comment so I suspect the manual
is not that clear: I though it was my fault

The concept of "meridian delay" is an attribute of the Astro-Physics mount firmware. It is not specific to APCC. For example, you can set the meridian delay using the mount's keypad and the AP V2 ASCOM driver.

The meridian delay is used to define the mount's flip point, which is at mount startup set to the meridian (i.e., meridian delay = 0). Any commanded GOTO to the East of the flip point will cause the mount to point the scope to commanded RA/Dec with the pier-side on the West. Likewise, and commanded GOTO to the West of the flip point will cause the mount to point to the commanded RA/Dec with the pier-side set to the East.

When the mount tracks past the meridian delay value, the mount does not automatically flip. For the mount to flip, a GOTO must be commanded.

What APCC adds is a variable meridian delay based on mount declination and pier side. APCC also allows for certain actions when a limit is reached, like stopping mount tracking, or doing a pier flip.

I'd like to know what is the simplest meridian management set up to be used with APCC Pro and the Mach2.
I don't need any complex management, only things like:
-to allow for 45 min tracking in the West before meridian flip, about 45 min east tracking (less important)
-prevent slewing near the meridian

Currently, there is no way to prevent slewing near the meridian in APCC. However, you can set the east and west limits to 45 minutes before and after the meridian using the meridian limits editor.

-Ray Gralak
Author of PEMPro
Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro
Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Andrea Lucchetti
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2020 3:15 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [ap-gto] second attempt: meridian management with mach2 please...help

Hi,
I am trying one more time to stimulate a discussion on the topic.
My previous thread didn't get a single comment so I suspect the manual is not that clear: I though it was my fault
but it seems that this is a topic at least not very interesting if not intimidating :-)

I will try to simplify things compared to my previous post:
I have a Mach2 and it is going to be used in the field, no fixed set up.

I'd like to know what is the simplest meridian management set up to be used with APCC Pro and the Mach2.
I don't need any complex management, only things like:
-to allow for 45 min tracking in the West before meridian flip, about 45 min east tracking (less important)
-prevent slewing near the meridian

After having read many, many times the manual, I am still confused
I wonder if setting only the AE limits it is enough for me . in this case it would be nice to know how to set the
"Meridian panel" in APCC:

I assume I don't need to set "meridian delay"
I assume I don't have to touch the "meridian tracking limits/hour angle panel"
I assume I don't need to flag "enable Meridian Tracking limits" in "Operation" panel, because in the help I read:
"DO NOT use any other method for setting a meridian delay while you are using the meridian limits. When
properly configured, the APCC meridian tracking limit logic will maintain the correct meridian delay in the system."



Thank you very much in advance,
Andrea