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Re: NINA and utilizing APCC meridian limits

Kenneth Tan
 

Thanks

On Thu, 17 Jun 2021 at 00:40, Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:

Hello everyone. Here's an update on this project.

The plugin system in NINA 1.11 has been more or less finalized and 1.11 build 93 contains the new Plugin Manager. Francesco has made Smart Meridian Flip available through it, so the previously outlined download and installation instructions are no longer relevant.

As of 1.11 build 93, you only need to go to the new Plugins tab, select Available Plugins, and select Smart Meridian Flip. There will be a button to install (or update, if already installed and there is a newer version available) in the upper right corner. Clicking on the Installed Plugins area and Smart Meridian Flip there, you can specify the MLM file in the same areas in the plugin's Options area. For now, updates of existing plugins require a restart of NINA.

I'd like to thank Francesco for putting the work into creating the SMF plugin and supporting APCC's MLM file format. I was doing some other tests last night and made a short video of the plugin at work, as unexciting as a meridian flip is.

https://youtu.be/hy9EvQ_f6jo


> On Jun 11, 2021, at 02:07, Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all, this aimed at users of APCC and NINA; specifically those who are using the current development train of NINA, version 1.11.
>
> I've been working with another NINA contributor on a plugin for NINA's Advanced Sequencer that replaces the standard meridian flip trigger with a new one called Smart Meridian Flipper.
>
> SMF can read in an APCC .mlm file or one in SMF's own obstruction definition format. It will then dynamically adjust the flip time based on the target's declination and what that corresponds with in the MLM file in terms of a meridian limit.
>
> Flips will happen 10 seconds prior to the mount reaching the defined limit so as not to trigger an adverse reaction from APCC, which itself can be configured to do anything from emit a warning to halting tracking or parking the mount - the latter two being not-helpful when it comes to unattended imaging.
>
> If you are a 1.11+Advanced Sequencer user, use (or aspire to use) meridian limits in APCC, and are interested in having your sequences' meridian flips take advantage of these limits and the wild and crazy world of counterweight-up imaging, I've made the plugin available to try out and test. It seems to work fine on my setup (MLM generated in APCC Pro, driving a Mach1+CP3) but I'm interested in seeing how it works for people who might not have the typical hourglass-shaped limits and perhaps something more funky or asymmetrical going on.
>
> When you run a sequence, SMF will display two time values in its status area:
>
> 1. The local time when there would be a suspension of activity and tracking is halted before reaching the meridian if the limits dictate there will be a need for that
> 2. The local time when the flip will occur
>
> I think in normal settings, most people will not have any need to pause on approach to the meridian so both times will be the same. That's fine. It just means you'll image straight through the meridian until the specified time, which is when the flip will happen. So if your target transits at 1am and it's at a declination that gives you 2 hours of room past the meridian, then the flip will happen at 3am (or really, 2:59:49, due to the 10 second buffer prior to hitting the limit.)
>
> You can download the plugin here:
> https://daleghent.com/misc/nina/SmartMeridianFlip.zip
>
> To install it:
>
> 1. Make sure you're running NINA 1.11 build 92
> 2. Create the folder %LOCALAPPDATA%\NINA\Plugins if it does not already exist
> 3. Unzip the download and drop the DLL file into the above folder, then start NINA
>
> Once NINA is opened:
>
> 4. Go to Options > Plugins > SmartMeridianFlipper and configure it with the .mlm you want to use for your meridian limits.
> 5. Go to Options > Imaging > Meridian Flip Settings and change both Minutes After Meridian and Max. Minutes After Meridian to 1.
> 6. In the same section, make sure that Pause Before Meridian is 0
> 7. In your Advanced Sequencer sequence, *replace* any instance of the standard Meridian Flip trigger with the Smart Meridian Flipper trigger
> 8. Go about your business as you would normally do. If everything goes according to plan, you'll image right up until you hit the meridian limit (minus 10 seconds) for your target's declination.
>
> The plugin system in NINA is being finalized in its design and there will be some major changes soon, so this specific plugin file that I linked above may not work in builds of 1.11 past the current build 92. It will be updated as the plugin system evolves over the next few weeks, which will include an automated way to download and update plugins as new versions are made available by their respective authors.  I wanted to make this plugin available to interested persons early to get it some wider testing. Any testing and feedback is greatly appreciated, of course, and that feedback can be given directly to me (daleg@...) or on the NINA Discord server.
>
> A quick and dirty FAQ:
>
> Q: Will I still have the standard Meridian Flip trigger available if I want to go back to using it?
> A: Yes, it'll still be there. Drag SMF to the trash icon to remove it and drop the standard Meridian Flip trigger back in to your sequence in its place. Essentially the reverse of step 7 above.
>
> Q: Will this be available for NINA 1.10?
> A: No. This is a plugin and NINA's plugin system is new as of more recent builds of 1.11. 1.10 is in bug fix-only mode anyway
>
> Q: Will I be able to use this in NINA 1.11's Simple Sequencer?
> A: No. As with all plugins, this is available for use only within the Advanced Sequencer
>
> Q: If I'm having a problem with this, what info do you need?
> A: Your .mlm file and the target's declination would be great, otherwise I would have no way to replicate your conditions/configuration
>
> Q: CCD or CMOS?
> A: ...
>
> Thanks and happy imaging.
>
> /dale
>
>
>
>
>
>






Re: NINA and utilizing APCC meridian limits

Dale Ghent
 

Hello everyone. Here's an update on this project.

The plugin system in NINA 1.11 has been more or less finalized and 1.11 build 93 contains the new Plugin Manager. Francesco has made Smart Meridian Flip available through it, so the previously outlined download and installation instructions are no longer relevant.

As of 1.11 build 93, you only need to go to the new Plugins tab, select Available Plugins, and select Smart Meridian Flip. There will be a button to install (or update, if already installed and there is a newer version available) in the upper right corner. Clicking on the Installed Plugins area and Smart Meridian Flip there, you can specify the MLM file in the same areas in the plugin's Options area. For now, updates of existing plugins require a restart of NINA.

I'd like to thank Francesco for putting the work into creating the SMF plugin and supporting APCC's MLM file format. I was doing some other tests last night and made a short video of the plugin at work, as unexciting as a meridian flip is.

https://youtu.be/hy9EvQ_f6jo

On Jun 11, 2021, at 02:07, Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:


Hi all, this aimed at users of APCC and NINA; specifically those who are using the current development train of NINA, version 1.11.

I've been working with another NINA contributor on a plugin for NINA's Advanced Sequencer that replaces the standard meridian flip trigger with a new one called Smart Meridian Flipper.

SMF can read in an APCC .mlm file or one in SMF's own obstruction definition format. It will then dynamically adjust the flip time based on the target's declination and what that corresponds with in the MLM file in terms of a meridian limit.

Flips will happen 10 seconds prior to the mount reaching the defined limit so as not to trigger an adverse reaction from APCC, which itself can be configured to do anything from emit a warning to halting tracking or parking the mount - the latter two being not-helpful when it comes to unattended imaging.

If you are a 1.11+Advanced Sequencer user, use (or aspire to use) meridian limits in APCC, and are interested in having your sequences' meridian flips take advantage of these limits and the wild and crazy world of counterweight-up imaging, I've made the plugin available to try out and test. It seems to work fine on my setup (MLM generated in APCC Pro, driving a Mach1+CP3) but I'm interested in seeing how it works for people who might not have the typical hourglass-shaped limits and perhaps something more funky or asymmetrical going on.

When you run a sequence, SMF will display two time values in its status area:

1. The local time when there would be a suspension of activity and tracking is halted before reaching the meridian if the limits dictate there will be a need for that
2. The local time when the flip will occur

I think in normal settings, most people will not have any need to pause on approach to the meridian so both times will be the same. That's fine. It just means you'll image straight through the meridian until the specified time, which is when the flip will happen. So if your target transits at 1am and it's at a declination that gives you 2 hours of room past the meridian, then the flip will happen at 3am (or really, 2:59:49, due to the 10 second buffer prior to hitting the limit.)

You can download the plugin here:
https://daleghent.com/misc/nina/SmartMeridianFlip.zip

To install it:

1. Make sure you're running NINA 1.11 build 92
2. Create the folder %LOCALAPPDATA%\NINA\Plugins if it does not already exist
3. Unzip the download and drop the DLL file into the above folder, then start NINA

Once NINA is opened:

4. Go to Options > Plugins > SmartMeridianFlipper and configure it with the .mlm you want to use for your meridian limits.
5. Go to Options > Imaging > Meridian Flip Settings and change both Minutes After Meridian and Max. Minutes After Meridian to 1.
6. In the same section, make sure that Pause Before Meridian is 0
7. In your Advanced Sequencer sequence, *replace* any instance of the standard Meridian Flip trigger with the Smart Meridian Flipper trigger
8. Go about your business as you would normally do. If everything goes according to plan, you'll image right up until you hit the meridian limit (minus 10 seconds) for your target's declination.

The plugin system in NINA is being finalized in its design and there will be some major changes soon, so this specific plugin file that I linked above may not work in builds of 1.11 past the current build 92. It will be updated as the plugin system evolves over the next few weeks, which will include an automated way to download and update plugins as new versions are made available by their respective authors. I wanted to make this plugin available to interested persons early to get it some wider testing. Any testing and feedback is greatly appreciated, of course, and that feedback can be given directly to me (daleg@...) or on the NINA Discord server.

A quick and dirty FAQ:

Q: Will I still have the standard Meridian Flip trigger available if I want to go back to using it?
A: Yes, it'll still be there. Drag SMF to the trash icon to remove it and drop the standard Meridian Flip trigger back in to your sequence in its place. Essentially the reverse of step 7 above.

Q: Will this be available for NINA 1.10?
A: No. This is a plugin and NINA's plugin system is new as of more recent builds of 1.11. 1.10 is in bug fix-only mode anyway

Q: Will I be able to use this in NINA 1.11's Simple Sequencer?
A: No. As with all plugins, this is available for use only within the Advanced Sequencer

Q: If I'm having a problem with this, what info do you need?
A: Your .mlm file and the target's declination would be great, otherwise I would have no way to replicate your conditions/configuration

Q: CCD or CMOS?
A: ...

Thanks and happy imaging.

/dale
Re: Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Roland Christen
 


Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and  did a resync.
What program did you slew with? What program did you sync with?

Rolando


-----Original Message-----
From: Astrobob <imager1940@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
Sent: Wed, Jun 16, 2021 12:05 am
Subject: [ap-gto] Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Hi All,
 
I’m having problems with my AP1200. The CP3 is updated. I have a large model that suddenly won’t sync. Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and  did a resync. Then when I went to Deneb and that was way off. So I parked the mount and found it pointing in the wrong direction on both axis. Then I releveled the mount and with the Sky6Pro slew to Vega and once again was off by several degrees. I’m running in circles. I’m sure I’m missing some step somewhere…
 
Bob
 
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
 

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics
Re: Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Ray Gralak
 

Yes, ultimately, the model should be redone, but this should get the mount back into a close enough position to create a new model.

Also, reading the original post, it's not clear if the model is a TPoint or APCC model.

-Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Jeff B
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 6:56 AM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

But I see you re-leveled the mount. That's a change in position right. Should you do another model?

Jeff

On Wed, Jun 16, 2021 at 8:17 AM Ray Gralak <iogroups@...> wrote:


Hi Bob,

1. In APCC, park the mount at its current position (it doesn't matter where).
2. Loosen the mount's clutches and manually move the scope to the Park 3 position.
3. In APCC, unpark the mount from Park 3.
4. Try slewing to someplace in the sky using Sky6Pro.
5. If the mount goes to the correct position, then recal on a star, or plate solve and recal, if you are imaging.

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Astrobob
> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10:05 PM
> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
> Subject: [ap-gto] Sync with The Sky 6 Pro
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> I’m having problems with my AP1200. The CP3 is updated. I have a large model that suddenly won’t
sync.
> Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and did a
resync.
> Then when I went to Deneb and that was way off. So I parked the mount and found it pointing in the
wrong
> direction on both axis. Then I releveled the mount and with the Sky6Pro slew to Vega and once again
was off by
> several degrees. I’m running in circles. I’m sure I’m missing some step somewhere…
>
>
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10
>
>
>
>
Re: Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Jeff B
 

But I see you re-leveled the mount.  That's a change in position right.  Should you do another model?

Jeff

On Wed, Jun 16, 2021 at 8:17 AM Ray Gralak <iogroups@...> wrote:
Hi Bob,

1. In APCC, park the mount at its current position (it doesn't matter where).
2. Loosen the mount's clutches and manually move the scope to the Park 3 position.
3. In APCC, unpark the mount from Park 3.
4. Try slewing to someplace in the sky using Sky6Pro.
5. If the mount goes to the correct position, then recal on a star, or plate solve and recal, if you are imaging.

-Ray

> -----Original Message-----
> From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Astrobob
> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10:05 PM
> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
> Subject: [ap-gto] Sync with The Sky 6 Pro
>
> Hi All,
>
>
>
> I’m having problems with my AP1200. The CP3 is updated. I have a large model that suddenly won’t sync.
> Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and  did a resync.
> Then when I went to Deneb and that was way off. So I parked the mount and found it pointing in the wrong
> direction on both axis. Then I releveled the mount and with the Sky6Pro slew to Vega and once again was off by
> several degrees. I’m running in circles. I’m sure I’m missing some step somewhere…
>
>
>
> Bob
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986>  for Windows 10
>
>
>
>






Re: Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Ray Gralak
 

Hi Bob,

1. In APCC, park the mount at its current position (it doesn't matter where).
2. Loosen the mount's clutches and manually move the scope to the Park 3 position.
3. In APCC, unpark the mount from Park 3.
4. Try slewing to someplace in the sky using Sky6Pro.
5. If the mount goes to the correct position, then recal on a star, or plate solve and recal, if you are imaging.

-Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Astrobob
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 10:05 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [ap-gto] Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Hi All,



I’m having problems with my AP1200. The CP3 is updated. I have a large model that suddenly won’t sync.
Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and did a resync.
Then when I went to Deneb and that was way off. So I parked the mount and found it pointing in the wrong
direction on both axis. Then I releveled the mount and with the Sky6Pro slew to Vega and once again was off by
several degrees. I’m running in circles. I’m sure I’m missing some step somewhere…



Bob



Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10
Re: Question about meridian limits

Ray Gralak
 

> I have 2 independent imaging systems on my AP110AE that have their own

> independent computers. I did this because I have imagers from the same mfg on both

> systems and was having serious driver issues using 1 computer for both.

> I use APCC Pro. I am going to set up a median limit map.

 

> Can I create the map on 1 system and then copy the file to the second computer?

 

Yes, you can do this. Here are the steps:

 

1.    In APCC's Meridian Tracking Limits Explorer (see screenshot below), click "Save As..." and save to a file.

2.    Move the meridian limits file to the other computer.

3.    Then on the other computer, click "Load..." and select the meridian limits file that you copied.

 

 

-Ray

 

 

 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Rick Darden

> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2021 3:52 PM

> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io

> Subject: [ap-gto] Question about meridian limits

>

> Hi All,

>

> I have 2 independent imaging systems on my AP110AE that have their own independent computers. I did this

> because I have imagers from the same mfg on both systems and was having serious driver issues using 1

> computer for both. I use APCC Pro. I am going to set up a median limit map. Can I create the map on 1 system

> and then copy the file to the second computer?
Re: Sky Safari - iphone - GTO

Bob
 

On Sat, Jan 16, 2021 at 02:37 AM, Howard Hedlund wrote:
PLEASE NOTE:  The southern hemisphere has a bug in the Park 3 position.  If you are in the southern hemisphere, please do NOT use Park 3 yet.  Sky Safari is aware of the problem and is fixing it.
Based on what just happened to me I am assuming Sky Safari still hasn't fixed this one yet? The mount decided to head for nadir.

Thanks
Re: Question about meridian limits

Horia
 

If you have one AP1100 carrying the two imaging systems, you only need meridian limits on one computer – the one controlling the mount. The other computer would have no idea what to do with those limits.

 

Kind regards,

Horia

 

 

Von: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Im Auftrag von Rick Darden
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 16. Juni 2021 00:52
An: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Betreff: [ap-gto] Question about meridian limits

 

Hi All,

I have 2 independent imaging systems on my AP110AE that have their own independent computers. I did this because I have imagers from the same mfg on both systems and was having serious driver issues using 1 computer for both. I use APCC Pro. I am going to set up a median limit map. Can I create the map on 1 system and then copy the file to the second computer?

Sync with The Sky 6 Pro

Astrobob
 

Hi All,

 

I’m having problems with my AP1200. The CP3 is updated. I have a large model that suddenly won’t sync. Tonight, after I slew to Vega it was off by several degrees so I centered it with the hand pad and  did a resync. Then when I went to Deneb and that was way off. So I parked the mount and found it pointing in the wrong direction on both axis. Then I releveled the mount and with the Sky6Pro slew to Vega and once again was off by several degrees. I’m running in circles. I’m sure I’m missing some step somewhere…

 

Bob

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 
Question about meridian limits

Rick Darden
 

Hi All,

I have 2 independent imaging systems on my AP110AE that have their own independent computers. I did this because I have imagers from the same mfg on both systems and was having serious driver issues using 1 computer for both. I use APCC Pro. I am going to set up a median limit map. Can I create the map on 1 system and then copy the file to the second computer?
Re: Models #APCC

Worsel
 

It's time we stopped Continental drift...


Bryan
Re: Models #APCC

KHursh
 

Thanks Ray. I will give that a try
Re: Models #APCC

Ray Gralak
 

Hi Kevin,

I have a pretty big model in APPM and I am semi-permanently mounted. I have the Mach2 on a Losmandy HD
tripod on concrete blocks. My dirt/lawn is largely clay, so even though I am well polar aligned, it drifts often due to
the soil shrinking when it gets dry. So my question is, while there have been no other changes to my set-up, the
altitude of my PA does change, so is my model now useless? Thanks in advance.
I have the same type of soil. Small shifts in polar alignment will primarily affect all-sky pointing accuracy. You can recover all-sky pointing accuracy by refining your polar alignment, leaving everything else the same.

-Ray

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of KHursh via groups.io
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2021 7:43 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [ap-gto] Models #APCC

I have a pretty big model in APPM and I am semi-permanently mounted. I have the Mach2 on a Losmandy HD
tripod on concrete blocks. My dirt/lawn is largely clay, so even though I am well polar aligned, it drifts often due to
the soil shrinking when it gets dry. So my question is, while there have been no other changes to my set-up, the
altitude of my PA does change, so is my model now useless? Thanks in advance.

Kevin
Re: Models #APCC

KHursh
 

That's funny. No. More than zero?
Re: Models #APCC

Roland Christen
 

Have you measured the drift due to soil motion?

Rolando



-----Original Message-----
From: KHursh via groups.io <khursh@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jun 14, 2021 9:42 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] Models #APCC

I have a pretty big model in APPM and I am semi-permanently mounted. I have the Mach2 on a Losmandy HD tripod on concrete blocks. My dirt/lawn is largely clay, so even though I am well polar aligned, it drifts often due to the soil shrinking when it gets dry. So my question is, while there have been no other changes to my set-up, the altitude of my PA does change, so is my model now useless? Thanks in advance.

Kevin

--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics
Models #APCC

KHursh
 

I have a pretty big model in APPM and I am semi-permanently mounted. I have the Mach2 on a Losmandy HD tripod on concrete blocks. My dirt/lawn is largely clay, so even though I am well polar aligned, it drifts often due to the soil shrinking when it gets dry. So my question is, while there have been no other changes to my set-up, the altitude of my PA does change, so is my model now useless? Thanks in advance.

Kevin
Re: Mach2 in a Pelican Case

Shane Ramotowski
 

Thanks Roland.  This is 1/4th the volume that my AP1200 takes in transit!

- Shane

On 6/14/2021 10:01 AM, Roland Christen via groups.io wrote:
Very clever.

Rolando



-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Ramotowski <kor@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sun, Jun 13, 2021 11:08 am
Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2 in a Pelican Case

Hi all!

My Mach2 is finally portable!  I bought a Pelican 1560 case and adapted
it to securely hold the Mach2 during transport.

See:
<http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/mach2_pelican.jpg <http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/mach2_pelican.jpg>>
<http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/mach2_pelican_empty.jpg <http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/mach2_pelican_empty.jpg>>

The frame is 3/4 inch plywood lined with 5mm neoprene wherever it is in
contact with the mount.  The Mach2 fits (almost too) snugly and does not
move at all when in the case.  The black area on the lid contacts the
mount on the RA axis to keep it from moving in the out-of-the-case
direction when the lid is closed.  The frame is attached to the bottom
of the case by 4 L brackets and to the front and back with 4 bolts each
through the side of the case, a plastic wedge and the frame itself.  The
frame does not move in the case and the Mach2 does not move in the frame.

You can see the white plastic wedge and bolts here:
<http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/pelican_bolts.jpg <http://www.kor-astro.net/misc/pelican_bolts.jpg>>

I have to take the saddle off and drop the altitude all the way to fit
it in, but it's OK as the mount it only takes a minute to put the saddle
back on and only about 3 minutes to polar align, which I would have to
do anyway, since I just moved the mount.  I'm going to store the saddle
in the area to the right of the mount in a pouch.

Ready for a Star Party!

- Shane

--
Shane Ramotowski
kor@... <mailto:kor@...>
https://www.kor-astro.net <https://www.kor-astro.net/>







--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics
--
Shane Ramotowski
kor@...
https://www.kor-astro.net
Re: Mach2 in a Pelican Case

Shane Ramotowski
 

Yeah, but only if they are really light weight--I won't be putting the counterweight bar in there!  It's already pushing 60 lbs with the Mach2, case, and wood frame...

- Shane

On 6/14/2021 7:22 AM, M Hambrick wrote:
Very nice Shane

There is even room in there for a few other accessories.

Mike
--
Shane Ramotowski
kor@...
https://www.kor-astro.net
Re: Mach2 in a Pelican Case

Roland Christen
 

Very clever.

Rolando



-----Original Message-----
From: Shane Ramotowski <kor@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Sun, Jun 13, 2021 11:08 am
Subject: [ap-gto] Mach2 in a Pelican Case

Hi all!

My Mach2 is finally portable!  I bought a Pelican 1560 case and adapted
it to securely hold the Mach2 during transport.

See:

The frame is 3/4 inch plywood lined with 5mm neoprene wherever it is in
contact with the mount.  The Mach2 fits (almost too) snugly and does not
move at all when in the case.  The black area on the lid contacts the
mount on the RA axis to keep it from moving in the out-of-the-case
direction when the lid is closed.  The frame is attached to the bottom
of the case by 4 L brackets and to the front and back with 4 bolts each
through the side of the case, a plastic wedge and the frame itself.  The
frame does not move in the case and the Mach2 does not move in the frame.

You can see the white plastic wedge and bolts here:

I have to take the saddle off and drop the altitude all the way to fit
it in, but it's OK as the mount it only takes a minute to put the saddle
back on and only about 3 minutes to polar align, which I would have to
do anyway, since I just moved the mount.  I'm going to store the saddle
in the area to the right of the mount in a pouch.

Ready for a Star Party!

- Shane

--
Shane Ramotowski







--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics
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