Paul Hyndman wrote:

Yipes!!! Are ya' sure you cooked it? The cigarette lighter adapter is
fused. Of course if you (ahem) custom wired it without a fuse then
awww shoooot!

Indeed, the adapter is fused...stay tuned!

Regards,
Bob K.

Jim's e-mail address got truncated. It should have read:

kendrick AT kendrick-ai.com (substitute the @ symbol for the AT).

Paul

Yipes!!! Are ya' sure you cooked it? The cigarette lighter adapter

is

fused. Of course if you (ahem) custom wired it without a fuse then
awww shoooot!

You can e-mail Jim at kendrick@k... or call him at 1(800)
393-5456... He'll probably be able to ship you the repair parts you
need.

Good luck!

Paul

Well I've done it. I just fried the control box for my Dew Zapper.

Yipes!!! Are ya' sure you cooked it? The cigarette lighter adapter is
fused. Of course if you (ahem) custom wired it without a fuse then
awww shoooot!

You can e-mail Jim at kendrick@kendrick-ai.com or call him at 1(800)
393-5456... He'll probably be able to ship you the repair parts you
need.

Good luck!

Paul

Well I've done it. I just fried the control box for my Dew Zapper.

In my never-ending quest to get a reliable DC power source
that gives at least 12V to my AP600 mount, I got a Samlex
regulated power supply. Testing it with the Dew Zapper, I found
that the the voltage off the power supply drops from 13.8 to
13.0 when the Dew Zapper pulses. This should be ok for the
mount on the same circuit, and so solves my problem for back-
yard use, if not for field use. However, I shorted my Dew Zapper
while testing and now it's dead. Doesn't seem to be fused. Now
I don't have a problem anymore.

Regards,
Bob K.

Paul Schroeder:
If there is any way you can see your way clear to hanging on to that
600E, PLEASE do so. The creature will not mind waiting for your
attention. Just store it like an old Harley and you and your boys will
be glad you did. Look on it as a season. Its season simply has not yet
arrived but it surely will.

Get that interim telescope, that's a good idea but we are far to quick to
part with things that are fine.

Sincerely,
Mike Roth

In a message dated <Wed, 9 Aug 2000 21:45:15 +0100> Adrian Catterall
writes:

I'll be at Thetford with probably an AP400 GOTO mount.

I lokk forward to seeing you, and the mounting.

Brian.

Hi all -

I have an AP 600E GTO that (sad to say) is getting a bit too lonely.

When I ordered the mount last year, my intent was to get into imaging with my
two sons (ages 10 and 13). However, when I ordered the 600, little did I know
that things would be changing a bit for me.

The mount arrived in March this year, and my new baby daughter arrived in April!
You can guess which gets played with the most . . . (actually, it _is_ my
daughter!).

I really like my 600, but I also know that it won't get the use it deserves
(particularly for imaging) for several years. It seems a true shame not to put
such a fine instrument to use for its intended purpose.

As such, I am considering trading the 600 for something that would get more use
(I'm don't want to sell it outright). The once scope that would be most
appealing would be a 10 inch Teleport -- the quick set-up time would really
complement my very time-limited observing sessions. If anyone has a Teleport
and would be interested in working a trade for a mint condition 600 GTO (plus
cash to balance things) please let me know via Email.

Thanks and best regards,

Paul

Thanks for the replies, it sounds heartening.

In a message dated Wed, 9 Aug 2000 16:45:24 Larry writes:

There is, however, another question: how long will it take for you to
get an AP GTO mount <g>?

Not really a problem as I have to save up too.

Is it possible to get a copy of the manual, by email or snail mail?

Brian.

An AP mount learning curve? Wassat? Most of the CCD objects I look at,
I expect (and am rewarded) with the object on the chip. Minimal setup,
just press a few buttons.

Chris
--
C. G. Anderson
http://www.darklightimagery.net

On 09. August 1859, Darwin publishes
On the Origin of the Species.
Fundamentalists go ape.




Brian wrote:

The learning curve takes about 1 night. It's very intuitive. Read the manual
and run the mount no muss no fuss

Brian wrote:

Hi all,

I am interested in achieving sufficient pointing accuraccy (with minimal
frustration) to locate ccd objects that can't be detected visually.

I have sufficient ccd experience to image objects I can see.

I expect the only question with an AP-GTO would be:

'How long will it take me to learn the controls and method of setup of
this mount for portable use?' - Can we discuss this please?

I live in the UK, (Essex) and have not seen any AP mounts. Would anyone
within reasonable travelling distance be willing to show me one, or will
anyone be bringing one to the Skycamp at Thetford in about six weeks time.

Brian Boggenpoel.

--
Greg Mueller

I killed Kenny, m'kay?

I am interested in achieving sufficient pointing
accuraccy (with minimal frustration) to locate ccd
objects that can't be detected visually.

I have sufficient ccd experience to image objects I can see.

I expect the only question with an AP-GTO would be:
'How long will it take me to learn the controls and method
of setup of this mount for portable use?' - Can we discuss
this please?

One evening is all it takes... if you read the manual ahead of time.
It is quite intuitive and the controls are organized in a fairly
straight forward and logical manner. But it will take a few more
evenings until it becomes second nature.

There is, however, another question: how long will it take for you to
get an AP GTO mount <g>?

I'd also recommend a good planetarium program. My personal favorite
is "TheSky," by Software Bisque. It is extremely veratile and very
useful in both planning your session and in locating the targets you
intend to image. Digital Sky Voice is a nice program too... and will
center you on target, but I prefer the former.

Larry

E-mail . . . kldenmark@att.net
Web site . . http://home.att.net/~kldenmark/towardinfinity/

I live in the UK, (Essex) and have not seen any AP mounts. Would

anyone

within reasonable travelling distance be willing to show me one, or

will

anyone be bringing one to the Skycamp at Thetford in about six weeks

time.

Brian Boggenpoel.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

<e|-

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3. Get rates as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Ongoing APR and no annual

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http://click.egroups.com/1/7876/7/_/3615/_/965852256/
--------------------------------------------------------------------

|e>-

In message <200008091617_MC2-AF20-E96A@compuserve.com>, Brian
<100662.1062@compuserve.com> writes

Hi all,

I am interested in achieving sufficient pointing accuraccy (with minimal
frustration) to locate ccd objects that can't be detected visually.

I have sufficient ccd experience to image objects I can see.

I expect the only question with an AP-GTO would be:

'How long will it take me to learn the controls and method of setup of
this mount for portable use?' - Can we discuss this please?

I live in the UK, (Essex) and have not seen any AP mounts. Would anyone
within reasonable travelling distance be willing to show me one, or will
anyone be bringing one to the Skycamp at Thetford in about six weeks time.

Brian Boggenpoel.

I'll be at Thetford with probably an AP400 GOTO mount

Adrian
Adrian Catterall, CCD astronomer
email: Catterall@observatory.demon.co.uk
Visit my Web page at: http://www.observatory.demon.co.uk
Guilden Morden
Hertfordshire
U.K.

Hi all,

I am interested in achieving sufficient pointing accuraccy (with minimal
frustration) to locate ccd objects that can't be detected visually.

I have sufficient ccd experience to image objects I can see.

I expect the only question with an AP-GTO would be:

'How long will it take me to learn the controls and method of setup of
this mount for portable use?' - Can we discuss this please?

I live in the UK, (Essex) and have not seen any AP mounts. Would anyone
within reasonable travelling distance be willing to show me one, or will
anyone be bringing one to the Skycamp at Thetford in about six weeks time.

Brian Boggenpoel.

In a message dated 8/9/00 3:18:39 PM Central Daylight Time,
100662.1062@compuserve.com writes:

<<
'How long will it take me to learn the controls and method of setup of
this mount for portable use?' >>

Depends on how well you know the ins and outs of mountings. We give you all
the tools in the hand controller to do just about anything, if you know how
to make good use of them.

Roland Christen

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I was just about to order DSV. Do you
know if it all sony laptop models or a specific model? Any way to
modify the laptop to make it compatible with DSV? Perhaps Charles can
provide some additional information.


Marc Zukoff


--- In ap-
gto@egroups.com, chris1011@a... wrote:

Hi, users of DigitalSky Voice.

Charles has informed me that the Sony notebook computers will not

work

properly with the voice software. Sony notebooks are not really

Soundblaster

compatible, and this will cause problems with DSV. Charles is

looking into

this to see if there is any way to make these computers work.

Roland Christen

Hi Marc.

I have been dealing with Sony tech support to get DSV to work consistently
with my Sony PCG Z505SX notebook. While we have found some ways to improve
the situation by modifying the system boot, there are still some problems
with the Sony sound card freezing up after extended use and when the laptop
lid is closed. I'll let you know if we find a fix that works across the
board. I don't know if other Sony notebook models have the same problem.
I'd note that DSV works flawlessly on my Sony desktop, so it is clearly not a
problem with all Sony computers.

Best regards,

Joe Jones

Paul Hyndman wrote:

Hi Ray,

I didn't see it's weight specified anywhere, which might mean
it is heavy. If you plan to use it dual-purpose (i.e. for
business, as I do with my Dell) you don't want too heavy of
a notebook. I also heard that there is a company that sell's
the Dell Inspirons in Magnesium cases.

The C47 weighs in at 6.8 pounds. I was torn between the Toughbook or
a conventional "ruggedized" laptop when Panasonic updated this model.
They made it available with DVD, LS-120, USB, Windows 98 2nd Ed
(don't laugh, Panasonic still ships W95 with many models!),
and "hotter" graphics capabilities.

I have information on pricing and accessories for all Toughbooks from Panasonic.
If anybody want it, please email me privately.

Regards,
Bob Kuberek

Sounds like you are really referring to the Altitude and Azimuth
adjustments. The two vertical bolts on the AP 400 tighten down your azimuth
adjustment.

I discovered Mylar washers, which are very tough and low in friction. I
originally installed them on my AP 600 to deal with a similar problem, and
they work just as well on my AP 400. With the Mylar washers in place, I can
tighten the two bolts that lock down the azimuth adjustment, and still move
the mount using the two hand-screws. This has given me much better polar
alignment with fewer iterations.

Please see my web page to see how/where the washers are used on the AP 600;
use on the 400 is similar:

http://www.wodaski.com/wodaski/ap600clamp.htm

Folks seem to have a hard time finding these Mylar washers, so if you can
find them, I bought a bunch locally and can send some to you; details are on
my web page.

Ron Wodaski
The New Astronomy Book Site - http://www.newastro.com

Chuck,

oops! A little mix-up in my terminology there! Sorry about that.

Yes, I am talking about the Alt/Az adjustments. I kind of figured that the
lock down could act as the fine adjustment. I just wanted to confirm that
others are doing this the same way.

Thanks!

--
Clear Skies!

Mark Jenkins
markj@pcsincnet.com
http://www.pcsincnet.com/astronomy/

on 8/6/00 1:39 PM, Chuck Hancock at cdh59@bellsouth.net wrote:

Mark, I have had the same problem with my 600GTO mount. I have solved the
problem in three ways:

1. -When you have completed making your adjustments in RA, make sure that
both of the RA adjustment knobs are tight against one another. This helps
prevent the mount from moving when you tighten the mount screws (hex bolts)
that hold the mount down.

2. -When you loosen the mount screws, you do not have to loosen them very
much. The less you loosen them the less movement you will have when you
tighten them.

3. -I have found that after I have tightened the mount screws, I can still
make fine adjustments to RA with the adjustment knobs.

Hope this helps...Terry Johnson