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Re: PEMPro with SBIG STV

Kent Kirkley
 

In a message dated 5/1/07 10:28:31 AM, rgr@gralak.com writes:


Hi Kent,

Of course you can get round stars without PEC even being enabled when
autoguiding. However, you may be losing a couple tenths in stellar FWHM
(i.e.
your images would be a tad sharper).

-Ray Gralak
Hi Ray:
Yes I know and I'm not trying to 'diss' Pempro, I just haven't, so far, found
that I need it.
I might try it out and do a comparison.

Kent


**************************************
See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.
Re: PEMPro with SBIG STV

Kent Kirkley
 

In a message dated 5/1/07 9:18:07 AM, Eddwen@aol.com writes:


Dick,

Try your STV guiding without PemPro first.  You may find you don't
need it.  My STV does an excellent job with my older 1200 without any
PEC.  These mounts are very smooth (I also have a 900) and a newer
mount should have smaller PE.

Edd Weninger
Overgaard AZ  6650'
I agree.....
I've used an STV with two different AP1200GTO mounts and have never used
PemPro, etc.
I now use the Remote Guide Head with an SBIG STL-11000 with a 1200GTO and
still don't use PemPro.
I've used both with the efinder to guide imaging focal lengths up to 1200mm
with perfect results.
When doing film imaging I often did exposures up to an hour long and now,
with CCD, routinely do 30 minute sub exposures with perfectly round stars.

Kent Kirkley



**************************************
See what's free at http://www.aol.com.
Re: Need bolts from US

Robert Schlingensiepen <schling@...>
 

Hi Niels,

Try these guys in Germany. They specialize on stainless and carry US
type threads (UNC).

http://www.online-schrauben.de/

Hope this helps,

Robert

-----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of N. Foldager
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 3:27 PM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ap-gto] Need bolts from US


Hi,

I am preparing a special adapter plate to go on the declination head
of my 900GTO (on the surface where you use to place a saddle plate.)

We use the metric system in Denmark and I have not been able to find
the bolts in the US system needed to fasten this adapter.

Would someone in US be so kind as to help me purchase some? I will
of course pay all costs involved. Or maybe you know where I can
order them online for international delivery?
(How about Astro-Physics? :-)

I'm talking about this type of bolts:

http://www.nf. <http://www.nf.suite.dk/bolt.jpg> suite.dk/bolt.jpg

In Denmark, we call them "Unbrako bolts". Are they "called socket
head bolts" in US?

The diameter of the thread should be 6.2 mm = 1/4"
and it should go in here (read arrow):

http://www.nf. <http://www.nf.suite.dk/declination_head.jpg>
suite.dk/declination_head.jpg

The length of the thread should be between 1.25" and 1.5"

Right now, I need 6 bolts, however, I gladly receive, say, 20 or
more.

The quality should be the highest of stainless steel (in Danish
terms "quality 12.9")

I very much appreciate it if someone can help.

Best regards,

Niels Foldager
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Joe Zeglinski
 

I know ... but I use the "free verse" interpretation of "conquering". The
new age California style phrase seems so much like the old one.

I thought I had it right - which war and century did that old high school
Latin phrase come from?

Thanks,
Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: <kgkirkley@aol.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 10:38 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful



In a message dated 4/30/07 9:17:46 PM, J.Zeglinski@rogers.com writes:


Good quote - I think Julius Caesar was purported to have said in the Latin
writings from the Peloponnesus Wars:
- "Veni, Vidi, Vici, Toga Habam"
or in direct English translation:
- "Been there, Seen it, Done that , got the T-Shirt"
... so we didn't invent that phrase :-)
What??

Right person, wrong war, wrong century.......

I came, I saw, I conquered :))))

Kent
Re: AP Difficulties-RESOLUTION!

Bob Holzer <b.holzer@...>
 

Glad your problem is solved Joe. That's not an issue on mine, so we have different problems. I'm still waiting to hear back from AP.

Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: jjbadal2003
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 3:36 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] AP Difficulties-RESOLUTION!


After accepting the futility of self-help, I gave AP tech support a
call. 'Mechano-sleuths' Christine and Wally predicted binding of a
gear in the RA motor 'box'. This was diagnosed by comparing the
tension differance in RA to the Dec gear box.In my case great effort
was required to move the small gear that engages the plate sized gear
in the RA housing. Slight loosening of both SS cap head bolts that
attach the black RA gear box to the RA housing did the trick. Wally
explained that these problems develop, not from customer abuse to
mount (from travel,dropping, etc.), but just plain and simple "Majic".
Thanks AP. Joe
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi Bill,

Good quote - I think Julius Caesar was purported to have said in the Latin
writings from the Peloponnesus Wars:
- "Veni, Vidi, Vici, Toga Habam"
or in direct English translation:
- "Been there, Seen it, Done that , got the T-Shirt"
... so we didn't invent that phrase :-)

That is yet another interesting tale of how bad UPS service can be, but at
least they are regularly (bad).

This business with a 3 box or a 5 box shipment of our AP mounts - as in
your case and mine - might work better if AP and UPS found some way to handle
the entire shipment as ONE UNIT. Maybe the only way is to strap everything to
a wooden pallet, but that would likely be more expensive. AP shipping dept.
should contact UPS and find some way of UPS keeping a multi box shipment
together.
Obviously, if they put a separate UPS tag on each separate box, to the UPS
driver, and the system, they are just totally different boxes, unrelated to
each other. I'm just surprised this kind of shipping hasn't run amuck more
often.

Oh well, if it takes "a few years" (in the past) to get an AP product from
your spot on the Notification List, then what's waiting a few more months for
UPS to deliver it.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Gardner" <gardner.w@rogers.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful


Joe,

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt. Years ago when I took delivery
of a mount that was shipped in 3 boxes, box 3 arrived first. I paid all
the charges and was told by the driver, that the others were probably
just on another truck. That was beginning of my saga and my exerpiences
with UPS. It took 2 months for the other boxes to arrive. At several
points, UPS tried to claim that boxes 1 and 2 never even existed even
though they were logged in their system. They eventually found them
sitting in Detroit, waiting for box 3 to arrive, so that they could
clear all 3 through customs similaneously (at least that was their
explanation). When the other two boxes did finally arrive, it took
another week for them to admit that they had been paid, even after
producing the cancelled cheque.

On another occasion, when damage was done to something, they tried to
force me to pay all the taxes, duty and brokerage charges on the value
of the repairs. Again, another week (after waiting 3 months for repairs
to be done) of dealing with supervisors to make them realize that this
charge, should have been part of their initial assessment. There was no
way I was going to be out of pocket for their screw up.

Bill
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful OT

Kent Kirkley
 

In a message dated 4/30/07 11:55:46 PM, J.Zeglinski@rogers.com writes:


I thought I had it right - which war and century did that old high school
Latin phrase come from?
General and Consul Julius Caesar, 47BC in address to the Senate after his
victory over Pharmaces II at the battle of Zela.

The Peloponnesian War began in 431BC between Athens and Sparta, about 400
years before Caesar.

Kent


**************************************
See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Gilles Grosgurin <gilles@...>
 

I sold my refractor and so I'm bored... You may want to read this when a
chance...
http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/09/ups-vs-fedex-battle-of-the-bran
ds/

Gilles

-----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Bill Gardner
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 5:43 PM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Joe,

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt. Years ago when I took delivery

of a mount that was shipped in 3 boxes, box 3 arrived first. I paid all

the charges and was told by the driver, that the others were probably
just on another truck. That was beginning of my saga and my exerpiences

with UPS. It took 2 months for the other boxes to arrive. At several
points, UPS tried to claim that boxes 1 and 2 never even existed even
though they were logged in their system. They eventually found them
sitting in Detroit, waiting for box 3 to arrive, so that they could
clear all 3 through customs similaneously (at least that was their
explanation). When the other two boxes did finally arrive, it took
another week for them to admit that they had been paid, even after
producing the cancelled cheque.

On another occasion, when damage was done to something, they tried to
force me to pay all the taxes, duty and brokerage charges on the value
of the repairs. Again, another week (after waiting 3 months for repairs

to be done) of dealing with supervisors to make them realize that this
charge, should have been part of their initial assessment. There was no

way I was going to be out of pocket for their screw up.

Bill

Joseph Zeglinski wrote:
Hi,

Well the UPS screw up saga continues!

That OPT shipment from California to Canada, I described below -
and
thought was finally out of courier hell - well UPS sent me a bill for
all the
duty, and government taxes, and of course UPS C.O.D. service charges,
for that
shipment, now well over a month ago.

Luckily, I remembered that I paid all that by credit card, to the
driver
at the door. When I phoned, UPS acknowledged that the charge was
reported on
one system, and not on another. UPS computers don't talk to each
other.

If I had simply assumed UPS was in some small way, competent, and I
paid the
bill, I would be out another $85.

Surely, FEDEX can't be nearly as terrible.
Once again ... beware of using UPS, if at all possible.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@rogers.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 4:16 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful


Maybe it's time to demand the shipping charges be returned, for UPS
gross
negligence.

Actually, now that I think of it, when I complained to them that
it took
"over a week" for my other 3 day shipment to arrive, a couple of
weeks ago,
the UPS agent told me that UPS has an "unadvertised policy" of
REFUNDING
shipping charges - but ... ONLY if a customer complains, and ONLY
returns
the refund, to the SENDER.
Then you have to hassle them to get your money back, or the sender
will keep
it, as a bonus.

It's not much, but maybe it at least it gets logged in somebody's
career
advancement profile at UPS.

Maybe UPS needs to hire Tom Hanks away from FEDEX :-)
Joe




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see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links




--
______________________________________________

Pictor Observatory
http://www.pictorobservatory.ca


To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
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Yahoo! Groups Links
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Bill Gardner <gardner.w@...>
 

Joe,

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt. Years ago when I took delivery of a mount that was shipped in 3 boxes, box 3 arrived first. I paid all the charges and was told by the driver, that the others were probably just on another truck. That was beginning of my saga and my exerpiences with UPS. It took 2 months for the other boxes to arrive. At several points, UPS tried to claim that boxes 1 and 2 never even existed even though they were logged in their system. They eventually found them sitting in Detroit, waiting for box 3 to arrive, so that they could clear all 3 through customs similaneously (at least that was their explanation). When the other two boxes did finally arrive, it took another week for them to admit that they had been paid, even after producing the cancelled cheque.

On another occasion, when damage was done to something, they tried to force me to pay all the taxes, duty and brokerage charges on the value of the repairs. Again, another week (after waiting 3 months for repairs to be done) of dealing with supervisors to make them realize that this charge, should have been part of their initial assessment. There was no way I was going to be out of pocket for their screw up.

Bill

Joseph Zeglinski wrote:

Hi,
Well the UPS screw up saga continues!
That OPT shipment from California to Canada, I described below - and thought was finally out of courier hell - well UPS sent me a bill for all the duty, and government taxes, and of course UPS C.O.D. service charges, for that shipment, now well over a month ago.
Luckily, I remembered that I paid all that by credit card, to the driver at the door. When I phoned, UPS acknowledged that the charge was reported on one system, and not on another. UPS computers don't talk to each other.
If I had simply assumed UPS was in some small way, competent, and I paid the bill, I would be out another $85.
Surely, FEDEX can't be nearly as terrible.
Once again ... beware of using UPS, if at all possible.
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@rogers.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 4:16 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Maybe it's time to demand the shipping charges be returned, for UPS gross negligence.

Actually, now that I think of it, when I complained to them that it took "over a week" for my other 3 day shipment to arrive, a couple of weeks ago, the UPS agent told me that UPS has an "unadvertised policy" of REFUNDING shipping charges - but ... ONLY if a customer complains, and ONLY returns the refund, to the SENDER.
Then you have to hassle them to get your money back, or the sender will keep it, as a bonus.

It's not much, but maybe it at least it gets logged in somebody's career advancement profile at UPS.

Maybe UPS needs to hire Tom Hanks away from FEDEX :-)
Joe
To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto Yahoo! Groups Links
--
______________________________________________

Pictor Observatory
http://www.pictorobservatory.ca
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Kent Kirkley
 

In a message dated 4/30/07 9:17:46 PM, J.Zeglinski@rogers.com writes:


Good quote - I think Julius Caesar was purported to have said in the Latin
writings from the  Peloponnesus Wars:
- "Veni, Vidi, Vici, Toga Habam"
or in direct English translation:
- "Been there, Seen it, Done that , got the T-Shirt"
... so we didn't invent that phrase     :-)
What??

Right person, wrong war, wrong century.......

I came, I saw, I conquered :))))

Kent


**************************************
See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi,

Well the UPS screw up saga continues!

That OPT shipment from California to Canada, I described below - and
thought was finally out of courier hell - well UPS sent me a bill for all the
duty, and government taxes, and of course UPS C.O.D. service charges, for that
shipment, now well over a month ago.

Luckily, I remembered that I paid all that by credit card, to the driver
at the door. When I phoned, UPS acknowledged that the charge was reported on
one system, and not on another. UPS computers don't talk to each other.

If I had simply assumed UPS was in some small way, competent, and I paid the
bill, I would be out another $85.

Surely, FEDEX can't be nearly as terrible.
Once again ... beware of using UPS, if at all possible.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@rogers.com>
To: <ap-gto@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 4:16 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: UPS delivery - be VERY careful


Maybe it's time to demand the shipping charges be returned, for UPS gross
negligence.

Actually, now that I think of it, when I complained to them that it took
"over a week" for my other 3 day shipment to arrive, a couple of weeks ago,
the UPS agent told me that UPS has an "unadvertised policy" of REFUNDING
shipping charges - but ... ONLY if a customer complains, and ONLY returns
the refund, to the SENDER.
Then you have to hassle them to get your money back, or the sender will keep
it, as a bonus.

It's not much, but maybe it at least it gets logged in somebody's career
advancement profile at UPS.

Maybe UPS needs to hire Tom Hanks away from FEDEX :-)
Joe
AP Difficulties-RESOLUTION!

jjbadal2003
 

After accepting the futility of self-help, I gave AP tech support a
call. 'Mechano-sleuths' Christine and Wally predicted binding of a
gear in the RA motor 'box'. This was diagnosed by comparing the
tension differance in RA to the Dec gear box.In my case great effort
was required to move the small gear that engages the plate sized gear
in the RA housing. Slight loosening of both SS cap head bolts that
attach the black RA gear box to the RA housing did the trick. Wally
explained that these problems develop, not from customer abuse to
mount (from travel,dropping, etc.), but just plain and simple "Majic".
Thanks AP. Joe
PEMPro with SBIG STV

Dick Locke
 

Hello all,

I'm testing my 900GTO mount out (pier arriving soon!) and started
looking at PEMPro. I have several questions, but the most important is:
Will PEMPro work with my SBIG STV autoguider/camera?

According the the AP website, PEMPro 1.7 requires CCDSoft V5, Maxim DL
V4, or AstroArt V3. Which of these is known to work with the STV and
PEMPro 1.7? I'd also be interested in recommendations as I have "none
of the above."

The main thing I want to accomplish would be to use PEMPro to record
and average corrections across many worm cycles, and then program the
mount to compensate for the average PE error.

I realize I can use the STV to feed corrections to the mount, but
without the averaging capabilities. (How much difference does that make?)


Thanks!

-Dick Locke
Re: What hemisphere am I in again?

Howard Hedlund
 

Hi Mike,



1. Your database has probably corrupted. That is why M51 was
reported as being below the horizon. The database corrupts when the
volatile memory loses power. This can happen when the keypad is bumped
too hard or more commonly, when the battery dies. Details are in the
tech support section of our website:
http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad/keypadbat.htm
http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad_update/dataload2
01/dataload201.htm



2. LOC:E means that your keypad is set to "external" meaning that
the system thinks it is being operated by an outside computer. There
are three ways this can occur. First is a bug in v. 4.07. See the
following link:
http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad_update/bugs407on
.pdf Scroll down to the 4.07 bugs and read through it for
instructions.
Second, you may have the keypad set incorrectly. From the main menu, go
to 2=Setup, then 3=Keypad Options. In keypad options, the "1" key
will toggle you through the three auto-connect settings: NO, YES and
EXT. If you are permanently set up, it should be on YES. If you set
up anew for each observing session, it should be on NO. It should only
be on EXT if you are controlling the mount from an external computer
using a program like PulseGuide, The Sky, or Starry Night.
The third way that your keypad can be set to EXT is if you use the "Get
Time/Loc FrMnt" command: 2=setup; 1=Site Location Data; 3=Get Time/Loc
FrMnt. DO NOT use this command unless you are externally connected to
a computer and wish to synchronize the time and location data between
the computer and keypad. It will automatically change the keypad to
EXT mode since it assumes that a computer is operating the mount. To
check the mount's time, always use the 4=Time/LST command from the main
menu. This will also tell you your location setting. To check your
location parameters, go through setup as if you were adding or changing
location data. Exit by pressing menu if you are making no changes.
Exit by pressing GOTO if you make any changes.



Finally, consider upgrading from 4.07 to 4.12. Jot down your keypad
and/or mount serial number(s) and contact Astro-Physics if you don't
have the password.

http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad_update/keypadver
sions.htm



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Mike Chapa
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 12:37 AM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ap-gto] What hemisphere am I in again?



Howdy,

I haven't been doing much in the hobby the last year, but tried to
enjoy some views of the moon through my TEC160FL tonight. After
polar aligning, I looked at the moon for a while and then wondered
what some objects in Ursa Major might look like with a bright moon.
However, when I asked it to go to M51, etc., it said they were below
the horizon. I checked the date and time and location and they all
seemed fine. One of the pages said I couldn't change anything there
because I was in LOC:E--what does that mean?

I confess not to being an expert on the AP900GTO--I've always found
the handpaddle a bit non-intuitive and I'm often too lazy to read the
manual. But, I don't think it has ever done this before and it
always tracks like a dream. I'm running 4.07 I think. Can anyone
offer some advice how to fix this problem? I realigned 3 times and
turned the power off/on several times with realigning and nothing
changed. I tried polar align feature and 2 star align--same result.
Of note, the mount always returned spot-on to the alignment stars, it
just wouldn't slew to M# objects, etc. Thank you.

Mike Chapa
www.chapaccd.com
Re: New Mach1GTO question

observe_m13
 

Hi Howard,

How far away is the horizon? Just an approximation. Marj mentioned
that it was "real soon now" in mid January. I loaded up the Beta at
that point and have had no problems. I know that there are supposed to
be a new routine or two added but when will it Beta stage again?

Rick.

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Howard" <howard@...> wrote:

Hi Robert,



Set your keypad to either 900 or 1200. The servo system is the same for
all three mounts, the 900GTO, 1200GTO and Mach1GTO. The next firmware
version will include a setting for the Mach1GTO to keep people from
worrying, but its parameters will be the same as those of the bigger
mounts. Since a new firmware version is on the horizon, we didn't want
to create a new iteration of 4.12 just to add the Mach1 to the choice
list.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of dogonenuts1
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:15 AM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ap-gto] New Mach1GTO question



I just received my new Mach1GTO(after a 6 year wait) three days ago and
because of work,
soccer and Little League games am just now starting to get it set up.
I'll first have to say that
the workmanship is really incredible. It is truely like a cross between
a handcrafted Swiss
watch and an Abrams M1 tank. It is solid yet exquisite. Cudos to you
Roland.

Anyway, my first question is: under the setup menu, then the park/mount
opiton submenu,
should there be an option for the Mach1 mount? I only see the old
400,600,900,1200
options. What should I key in? Does it even matter?

Thanks,

Robert Ham





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: New Mach1GTO question

Howard Hedlund
 

Hi Robert,



Set your keypad to either 900 or 1200. The servo system is the same for
all three mounts, the 900GTO, 1200GTO and Mach1GTO. The next firmware
version will include a setting for the Mach1GTO to keep people from
worrying, but its parameters will be the same as those of the bigger
mounts. Since a new firmware version is on the horizon, we didn't want
to create a new iteration of 4.12 just to add the Mach1 to the choice
list.



Mag. 7 skies!



Howard Hedlund

Astro-Physics, Inc.

815-282-1513

________________________________

From: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ap-gto@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of dogonenuts1
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 1:15 AM
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ap-gto] New Mach1GTO question



I just received my new Mach1GTO(after a 6 year wait) three days ago and
because of work,
soccer and Little League games am just now starting to get it set up.
I'll first have to say that
the workmanship is really incredible. It is truely like a cross between
a handcrafted Swiss
watch and an Abrams M1 tank. It is solid yet exquisite. Cudos to you
Roland.

Anyway, my first question is: under the setup menu, then the park/mount
opiton submenu,
should there be an option for the Mach1 mount? I only see the old
400,600,900,1200
options. What should I key in? Does it even matter?

Thanks,

Robert Ham
Re: AP900 difficulties

Bob Holzer <b.holzer@...>
 

Hi Rick:

I have everything moved forward as much as possible. I have my Casady saddle offset mounted to the front. The FSQ is all the way forward in the rings and the dovetail is all the way forward, probably sitting in less than half of the rear clamp. Also, my guide scope is as forward as can be. I have my dew controller mounted on the front of the scope too, but it's very light. I'm still a couple pounds tail heavy, but within ok limits I think.

Bob


.

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick K
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 2:06 AM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: AP900 difficulties


Hi Bob,

Just wondering how you manage to balance the FSQ with that massive
Proline hanging off the back of it? Are you running counterweights on
your mounting plates on the objective side? I am still waiting on
adapters but I am having some good head scratching sessions with my
155EDF and additional weight to simulate the Proline plus filter
wheel. I cannot slide the OTA forward anywhere close to a balance
point due to the additional weight of the field flattener plus the
camera and filter wheel. I am going to have to add weight to the
objective end. I hope to be able to use it with my Traveler as well
but that could be really interesting. Anyway, how are you managing
this with the FSQ?

Rick.

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Holzer" <b.holzer@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Joe:
>
> I have exactly the same problem on my AP900, same vintage, same
light well balanced load of FSQ/miniborg/FLI Proline. I diagnosed it
over the phone with AP, by swapping cables etc, to be a bad motor and
sent it back for repair. They looked at it, found nothing wrong except
a slight burnt electrical smell from the motor, didn't replace the
motor because they are "expensive", charged me a bunch a money and
returned it to me. I still have the same problem and haven't heard
from them in a week. Please let me know if you hear from them with a
solution.
>
> Bob
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: jjbadal2003
> To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 10:57 PM
> Subject: [ap-gto] AP900 difficulties
>
>
> Haven't used the AP900 in a while. In spite of moon, (naturally) very
> clear night. Traveler with STV/miniborg/STL11000. AP900 most recent
> vintage. I believe very well balanced. Since I have an AP1200 also, I
> traded out most of the cables, in attempt to isolate problem. AP900
> Works fine for first 2-3 minutes, then red light on mount turns
yellow
> and stops. Also slews in DEC just fine,also in RA W-E OK, but E-W
> makes a straining noise. Any thoughts appreciated. Joe
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Re: AP900 difficulties

jjbadal2003
 

To Joe Z.- I used 2 differant power supplies, including the
new 'large'AP supply. Total weight of Traveler/ camera/stuff- about 35
lbs.- so not past mount capacity.Balance is accomplished by having
scope far forward by bolting a 7 inch AP bar to the front end of a
Losmandy DUP, then rings attach to the 7 inch bar. I will switch out
to the AP1200 for tonight. Will try and further investigate over next
few days as time allows. Greetings Bob H.. Sorry about your mount
troubles. Joe B.
Re: AP900 difficulties

observe_m13
 

Hi Bob,

Just wondering how you manage to balance the FSQ with that massive
Proline hanging off the back of it? Are you running counterweights on
your mounting plates on the objective side? I am still waiting on
adapters but I am having some good head scratching sessions with my
155EDF and additional weight to simulate the Proline plus filter
wheel. I cannot slide the OTA forward anywhere close to a balance
point due to the additional weight of the field flattener plus the
camera and filter wheel. I am going to have to add weight to the
objective end. I hope to be able to use it with my Traveler as well
but that could be really interesting. Anyway, how are you managing
this with the FSQ?

Rick.


--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Holzer" <b.holzer@...> wrote:

Hi Joe:

I have exactly the same problem on my AP900, same vintage, same
light well balanced load of FSQ/miniborg/FLI Proline. I diagnosed it
over the phone with AP, by swapping cables etc, to be a bad motor and
sent it back for repair. They looked at it, found nothing wrong except
a slight burnt electrical smell from the motor, didn't replace the
motor because they are "expensive", charged me a bunch a money and
returned it to me. I still have the same problem and haven't heard
from them in a week. Please let me know if you hear from them with a
solution.

Bob


----- Original Message -----
From: jjbadal2003
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 10:57 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] AP900 difficulties


Haven't used the AP900 in a while. In spite of moon, (naturally) very
clear night. Traveler with STV/miniborg/STL11000. AP900 most recent
vintage. I believe very well balanced. Since I have an AP1200 also, I
traded out most of the cables, in attempt to isolate problem. AP900
Works fine for first 2-3 minutes, then red light on mount turns
yellow
and stops. Also slews in DEC just fine,also in RA W-E OK, but E-W
makes a straining noise. Any thoughts appreciated. Joe





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Need bolts from US

N. Foldager
 

Thank you so much to Eric, Konstantin, and Stuart!

Best regards,

Niels

If you can't find these screws from a local or EU supplier, you can order
them through McMaster-Carr at <http://www.mcmaster.com>. Their part number
is 92185A544 for a socket head cap screw, 1/4"-20, 1.25" long in Type 316
stainless steel. The hex key size for the screw is 3/16". When you navigate
to their site, type in the part number in the "Find Products" box on the
left side.

A package of 10 cap screws is priced at US$5.98.

Hope this helps,

Eric Baumgartner
Redding, CT USA


On 04/29/07 10:27 AM, "N. Foldager" <nf@dadlnet.dk> wrote:


Hi,

I am preparing a special adapter plate to go on the declination head
of my 900GTO (on the surface where you use to place a saddle plate.)

We use the metric system in Denmark and I have not been able to find
the bolts in the US system needed to fasten this adapter.

Would someone in US be so kind as to help me purchase some? I will
of course pay all costs involved. Or maybe you know where I can
order them online for international delivery?
(How about Astro-Physics? :-)

I'm talking about this type of bolts:

http://www.nf.suite.dk/bolt.jpg

In Denmark, we call them "Unbrako bolts". Are they "called socket
head bolts" in US?

The diameter of the thread should be 6.2 mm = 1/4"
and it should go in here (read arrow):

http://www.nf.suite.dk/declination_head.jpg

The length of the thread should be between 1.25" and 1.5"

Right now, I need 6 bolts, however, I gladly receive, say, 20 or
more.

The quality should be the highest of stainless steel (in Danish
terms "quality 12.9")


I very much appreciate it if someone can help.


Best regards,

Niels Foldager



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