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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Christopher M
Apparently it is being retired: https://www.astrobuysell.com/propview.php?view=59500
not sure what has happened to the OTA or trailer. The seller might know. (apologies for the thread diversion)
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Thomas Giannaccini
I did double check the connections each time. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have used similar plugs in the past. They felt like they connected properly. The thought did occur to me that it might be a good idea to put a small amount of dielectric grease in the connectors since they are probably greater than 5 years old. I have not done that yet. I thought I would ask here first. My first thought was that this is probably the original battery. Winter is coming and this will be housed in a portable garage outside, but it will be quite cold (North Dakota). So it’s probably time for a battery anyway. Thank you for the input. It is much appreciated. I’ll post time and location settings tonight. Any other input it most welcome.
On Sat, Sep 11, 2021 at 3:43 PM <jimwc@...> wrote: AHH the power pole connector. if you are not used to using them they can be tricky, when they are fully connected they cannot be pulled apart with a light tug. --
CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
jimwc@...
AHH the power pole connector. if you are not used to using them they can be tricky, when they are fully connected they cannot be pulled apart with a light tug.
and they go together with a resounding snap. Once you have got them together correctly one time you will have the technique down. Jim
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Thomas Giannaccini
Now that’s a nice setup!
On Sat, Sep 11, 2021 at 3:36 PM Christopher M <mirfak@...> wrote: I've seen larger AP mounts permanently mounted in trailers such as this that have survived well: https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/30771-coulter-1425f-5-newtonian-reflector-telescope-mobile/ --
CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
For extra protection, we pack our mounts to ship with the motor box unsupported so that if the box receives a blow or is dropped, the force is not transferred to the motor box. In other words, we support the remainder of our mount with the foam blocks, but the blocks do not touch the motor boxes. The motor boxes are open to the air.
Clear Skies, Marj Christen Astro-Physics 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of ap@...
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2021 4:11 PM To: chris1011@...; main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Perfect, Roland, thank you.
And I’ve got the clutches lightly finger tight. I get no slippage in use (at least none evident in the model or in tracking), but the one time I had it run away and had a pier crash (long story testing move-axis) it just slipped nicely and did no harm to the gear that got caught between the saddle and pier. It’s a nice feature.
From: chris1011@... <chris1011@...>
You can transport our mounts with the gears engaged. Some mounts have very small thin gear teeth that can be damaged if the axis receives a blow. They also don't have real clutches, so being rigidly fixed, there is nothing that gives when the axis receives a blow. So those mounts need to have gears disengaged during transport. In our case, all our mounts have real clutches and the gear teeth are robust. If you want, you can slightly loosen the clutches when transporting the mount. just snug them enough so the axes don't flop around when you pick them up.
Roland
-----Original Message----- Jimwc wrote:
My failing memory is showing here but… when AP packs them, are the gears disengaged, or left engaged?
I have no memory of needing to engage them, I think they shipped it engaged, but am not sure.
I do have the original packing, but wanted to save it from wear and tear in case I ever need to return it.
Seriously – to all those showing me case solutions – I get it, seen most of them posted elsewhere. I’m not against it and may end up with one of those. I was just looking for evaluation of this possibility.
Donald Rudny wrote;
That looks pretty manageable. I have a compartment under the floor, so there’s a removable panel. I had a bike mount there before so am familiar with it. There’s plenty of room to put a backing board to distribute the load as well. I’m really not worried about that aspect (well, again, absent an accident, but all bets are off for any packaging in an accident).
It’s vibration that concerns me, since in that position you cannot disengage the gears, at least without it flopping around.
J. Belden wrote:
I’ve thought of that also. With my CEM70 on the Berlebach, I actually just had a big pile of moving blankets, lots of padding, and disconnected the gears and locked the RA axis (with a pin) and laid the tripod + mount down on the pads. It worked great. The AP1100 is too heavy for that (plus some other structural reasons). But I’m looking for something similarly easy, and just have no (other) use for a case. It’s just something else big and awkward I need to find room to store. When not in use, the mount lives on the tripod, it won’t be put in a case.
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Christopher M
I've seen larger AP mounts permanently mounted in trailers such as this that have survived well: https://www.cloudynights.com/gallery/image/30771-coulter-1425f-5-newtonian-reflector-telescope-mobile/
As others have mentioned I would be more worried about emergency braking issues and the screws tearing out unless you use grade screws/bolts and drive them into the vehicle frame members. I would suggest mounting the FSA onto a piece of sturdy plywood so you can slide it in and out a bit easier, and then use either the back seats as the emergency stop aka "headache rack" or the SUV's tie down points, or both. Keep safe. C
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Re: Park Position based interlock for small roll off observatory
Jerome A Yesavage
Hi,
I have a 6'x6'x6.5' PierTech. I have it on my roof using a complex system to get pier stability. This is the "industrial strength" solution used by big observatories... yet Bob Denny advised me never use ACP or APCC to close the roof if there is any chance of a crash. Originally I always had the scope lower than the traverse of the roof as a fail safe solution... but this cuts down the ability to see low objects. Finally I permanently moved the pier to a high position and use the Park 5 solution. I open and close manually and have a web cam to watch the proceedings. IMHO do not trust any software no matter how "good and expensive"... trust your eyes.... Now, regarding the "Wife Acceptance Factor" may I suggest a gander at what I did to camo the system and my wife is just ecstatic at the results: https://www.astrobin.com/310660/E/ Best wishes and do not hesitate to be in contact if you have any questions...
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
ap@CaptivePhotons.com
Perfect, Roland, thank you.
And I’ve got the clutches lightly finger tight. I get no slippage in use (at least none evident in the model or in tracking), but the one time I had it run away and had a pier crash (long story testing move-axis) it just slipped nicely and did no harm to the gear that got caught between the saddle and pier. It’s a nice feature.
From: chris1011@... <chris1011@...>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2021 5:02 PM To: ap@...; main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
You can transport our mounts with the gears engaged. Some mounts have very small thin gear teeth that can be damaged if the axis receives a blow. They also don't have real clutches, so being rigidly fixed, there is nothing that gives when the axis receives a blow. So those mounts need to have gears disengaged during transport. In our case, all our mounts have real clutches and the gear teeth are robust. If you want, you can slightly loosen the clutches when transporting the mount. just snug them enough so the axes don't flop around when you pick them up.
Roland
-----Original Message----- Jimwc wrote:
My failing memory is showing here but… when AP packs them, are the gears disengaged, or left engaged?
I have no memory of needing to engage them, I think they shipped it engaged, but am not sure.
I do have the original packing, but wanted to save it from wear and tear in case I ever need to return it.
Seriously – to all those showing me case solutions – I get it, seen most of them posted elsewhere. I’m not against it and may end up with one of those. I was just looking for evaluation of this possibility.
Donald Rudny wrote;
That looks pretty manageable. I have a compartment under the floor, so there’s a removable panel. I had a bike mount there before so am familiar with it. There’s plenty of room to put a backing board to distribute the load as well. I’m really not worried about that aspect (well, again, absent an accident, but all bets are off for any packaging in an accident).
It’s vibration that concerns me, since in that position you cannot disengage the gears, at least without it flopping around.
J. Belden wrote:
I’ve thought of that also. With my CEM70 on the Berlebach, I actually just had a big pile of moving blankets, lots of padding, and disconnected the gears and locked the RA axis (with a pin) and laid the tripod + mount down on the pads. It worked great. The AP1100 is too heavy for that (plus some other structural reasons). But I’m looking for something similarly easy, and just have no (other) use for a case. It’s just something else big and awkward I need to find room to store. When not in use, the mount lives on the tripod, it won’t be put in a case.
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Roland Christen
You can transport our mounts with the gears engaged. Some mounts have very small thin gear teeth that can be damaged if the axis receives a blow. They also don't have real clutches, so being rigidly fixed, there is nothing that gives when the axis receives a blow. So those mounts need to have gears disengaged during transport.
In our case, all our mounts have real clutches and the gear teeth are robust. If you want, you can slightly loosen the clutches when transporting the mount. just snug them enough so the axes don't flop around when you pick them up.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: ap@... <ap@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2021 12:39 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount? Jimwc wrote:
My failing memory is showing here but… when AP packs them, are the gears disengaged, or left engaged?
I have no memory of needing to engage them, I think they shipped it engaged, but am not sure.
I do have the original packing, but wanted to save it from wear and tear in case I ever need to return it.
Seriously – to all those showing me case solutions – I get it, seen most of them posted elsewhere. I’m not against it and may end up with one of those. I was just looking for evaluation of this possibility.
Donald Rudny wrote;
That looks pretty manageable. I have a compartment under the floor, so there’s a removable panel. I had a bike mount there before so am familiar with it. There’s plenty of room to put a backing board to distribute the load as well.
I’m really not worried about that aspect (well, again, absent an accident, but all bets are off for any packaging in an accident).
It’s vibration that concerns me, since in that position you cannot disengage the gears, at least without it flopping around.
J. Belden wrote:
I’ve thought of that also. With my CEM70 on the Berlebach, I actually just had a big pile of moving blankets, lots of padding, and disconnected the gears and locked the RA axis (with a pin) and laid the tripod + mount down on the pads.
It worked great. The AP1100 is too heavy for that (plus some other structural reasons). But I’m looking for something similarly easy, and just have no (other) use for a case. It’s just something else big and awkward I need to find room to store. When
not in use, the mount lives on the tripod, it won’t be put in a case.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Roland Christen
That looks fine.
As far as power supply, it might be advisable to add a power meter between the battery and mount. https://www.astro-physics.com/cabppwm
This will tell you everything you need to know about the health of your power supply.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Giannaccini <tgiann3@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2021 3:33 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message It was by keypad. The power system/motorized dolly was designed, I believe, by JMI. The cable from the battery to the mount is under 2 feet long. There is a single connection in the middle of that path as shown below.
This is a picture of the mount and the cable:
 
-- CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Documentation and instructions for handset park positions 1 - 4 for a Mach 1 GTO build date of 2014
#Keypad
Hello,
You can find more recent versions of the manuals by going to our website and selecting Support. Follow the links to find what you need.
Clear Skies, Marj Christen Astro-Physics 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of nicholas via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2021 2:17 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Documentation and instructions for handset park positions 1 - 4 for a Mach 1 GTO build date of 2014 #Keypad
Hello,
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Thomas Giannaccini
Yes I can do that. I’ll post that here around dusk mountain zone time. Thank you, Tom
--
CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Thomas Giannaccini
It was by keypad. The power system/motorized dolly was designed, I believe, by JMI. The cable from the battery to the mount is under 2 feet long. There is a single connection in the middle of that path as shown below. This is a picture of the mount and the cable:  
--
CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Roland Christen
One thing you can do, if using the keypad, is to post some screen shots of your location screen and your time and data screen. This will allow us to see if we can spot any obvious errors.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Giannaccini <tgiann3@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2021 2:52 pm Subject: [ap-gto] #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message I recently purchased a used AP 1100 GTO with Encoders
I've read the manuals and carefully set the time each session. The system is powered by a 50Ah deep cycle glass mat battery which the prior owner was using without any reported issues. The battery does look like it has some age on it but looks fine when tested with a battery tester. I have been having random issues with the mount slewing correctly. I understand this is a common issue with new users. I went back and re-read the manuals and I believe I was doing everything correctly in my most recent session. In my latest session here is a brief synopsis of what happened. Plugged in system to the battery which had been full charged a few days earlier and not used since. Selected location Set time carefully Selected new setup from park location selected park 1 physically moved and leveled scope and weight bar (was correctly balanced and all 6 clutches were about 1 turn loose from hand tight tightened clutches on correct axis as instructed slewed to park 2.....Mount slewed to completely wrong position re-slewed to park 1 and re-leveled both axi tried again to slew to park 2.....same issue Slewed back to park 1---releveled slewed to park 4...approximately correct position achieved adjusted level via altitude adjuster as outlined in manual slewed back to park 1....was roughly correct tried slewing to Vega to see what would happen (polaris cloud covered) approximately correct location achieved...used direction keys to fine tune Vega to center of reticle eyepiece in main scope; noticed that Vega was visibly moving (slowly) in the reticle correctly re-aligned vega and re-synched (1 and only time) tried slewing to Polaris to see if I could see it through the clouds...approximately correct location achieved the remainder of the session is a bit murky in my memory but here is an approximation: I tried to re-slew to the park positions to see what would happen (a test of both me and the mount). The scope kept ending up in random, incorrect locations At some point I received a "motor stall" error message I believe I was able to slew (incorrectly) to another park location once but after that, it would act like it was going to start slewing and then return right back to its same existing position Without going on about it, that is what I am also experiencing today I'm starting to think it may be the battery as the prior owner mentioned that the mount can be sensitive to low power I'm working on getting a new battery now but wont have it until the end of the week at the earliest Is there any other probable cause? -- CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Roland Christen
Hard to tell what's going on since you don't say how you initialized the mount and slewed to these positions (keypad? Laptop with ASCOM driver? Planetarium program? APCC?). Incomplete info means we have to guess.
Best to contact either George or Howard at AP on Monday and have them help you step by step. They may find that you have some wrong setting somewhere (time wrong, location wrong, or some such thing).
Generally low battery voltage and overly long 12 volt power cord can result in the mount stopping or stalling but will not cause the mount to park in the wrong spot.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Giannaccini <tgiann3@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sat, Sep 11, 2021 2:52 pm Subject: [ap-gto] #Keypad Motor Stall Error Message I recently purchased a used AP 1100 GTO with Encoders
I've read the manuals and carefully set the time each session. The system is powered by a 50Ah deep cycle glass mat battery which the prior owner was using without any reported issues. The battery does look like it has some age on it but looks fine when tested with a battery tester. I have been having random issues with the mount slewing correctly. I understand this is a common issue with new users. I went back and re-read the manuals and I believe I was doing everything correctly in my most recent session. In my latest session here is a brief synopsis of what happened. Plugged in system to the battery which had been full charged a few days earlier and not used since. Selected location Set time carefully Selected new setup from park location selected park 1 physically moved and leveled scope and weight bar (was correctly balanced and all 6 clutches were about 1 turn loose from hand tight tightened clutches on correct axis as instructed slewed to park 2.....Mount slewed to completely wrong position re-slewed to park 1 and re-leveled both axi tried again to slew to park 2.....same issue Slewed back to park 1---releveled slewed to park 4...approximately correct position achieved adjusted level via altitude adjuster as outlined in manual slewed back to park 1....was roughly correct tried slewing to Vega to see what would happen (polaris cloud covered) approximately correct location achieved...used direction keys to fine tune Vega to center of reticle eyepiece in main scope; noticed that Vega was visibly moving (slowly) in the reticle correctly re-aligned vega and re-synched (1 and only time) tried slewing to Polaris to see if I could see it through the clouds...approximately correct location achieved the remainder of the session is a bit murky in my memory but here is an approximation: I tried to re-slew to the park positions to see what would happen (a test of both me and the mount). The scope kept ending up in random, incorrect locations At some point I received a "motor stall" error message I believe I was able to slew (incorrectly) to another park location once but after that, it would act like it was going to start slewing and then return right back to its same existing position Without going on about it, that is what I am also experiencing today I'm starting to think it may be the battery as the prior owner mentioned that the mount can be sensitive to low power I'm working on getting a new battery now but wont have it until the end of the week at the earliest Is there any other probable cause? -- CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: AP1100 carrying to dark site - SUV mount?
Jeffc
Fwiw…. For the 1100 I use a lowes “commander” tub and cover with a piece of foam inside (not cut - just some spare memory foam I had). I also put it on a furniture moving dolly (four casters) at home for moving it from the driveway to the garage for storage and elsewhere. I can put an OTA box on top and move two things at once!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I put the 1100 in the tub “assembled” but without the Dec plate and saddle. This simplifies storage and setup.
On Sep 11, 2021, at 2:42 PM, Arvind <base16@...> wrote:
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#Keypad Motor Stall Error Message
#Keypad
Thomas Giannaccini
I recently purchased a used AP 1100 GTO with Encoders
I've read the manuals and carefully set the time each session. The system is powered by a 50Ah deep cycle glass mat battery which the prior owner was using without any reported issues. The battery does look like it has some age on it but looks fine when tested with a battery tester. I have been having random issues with the mount slewing correctly. I understand this is a common issue with new users. I went back and re-read the manuals and I believe I was doing everything correctly in my most recent session. In my latest session here is a brief synopsis of what happened. Plugged in system to the battery which had been full charged a few days earlier and not used since. Selected location Set time carefully Selected new setup from park location selected park 1 physically moved and leveled scope and weight bar (was correctly balanced and all 6 clutches were about 1 turn loose from hand tight tightened clutches on correct axis as instructed slewed to park 2.....Mount slewed to completely wrong position re-slewed to park 1 and re-leveled both axi tried again to slew to park 2.....same issue Slewed back to park 1---releveled slewed to park 4...approximately correct position achieved adjusted level via altitude adjuster as outlined in manual slewed back to park 1....was roughly correct tried slewing to Vega to see what would happen (polaris cloud covered) approximately correct location achieved...used direction keys to fine tune Vega to center of reticle eyepiece in main scope; noticed that Vega was visibly moving (slowly) in the reticle correctly re-aligned vega and re-synched (1 and only time) tried slewing to Polaris to see if I could see it through the clouds...approximately correct location achieved the remainder of the session is a bit murky in my memory but here is an approximation: I tried to re-slew to the park positions to see what would happen (a test of both me and the mount). The scope kept ending up in random, incorrect locations At some point I received a "motor stall" error message I believe I was able to slew (incorrectly) to another park location once but after that, it would act like it was going to start slewing and then return right back to its same existing position Without going on about it, that is what I am also experiencing today I'm starting to think it may be the battery as the prior owner mentioned that the mount can be sensitive to low power I'm working on getting a new battery now but wont have it until the end of the week at the earliest Is there any other probable cause? -- CN: HasAnyoneSeenMyNeblua
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Documentation and instructions for handset park positions 1 - 4 for a Mach 1 GTO build date of 2014
#Keypad
nicholas
Hello,
I have a Mach 1 GTO with a build date of 2014 however the manual is from 2008. I am looking for the documented instructions on how to set the park positions 1 through 4. The manual I have does not match what the handset displays through the steps. For example, I can easily enough set the mount to Park 1 position with Cw's facing east and OTA faced west, but there is another step in the older manual where you reference that to park position 4. Anyway following the manual I have, there does not seem to be a way to do that, or any of the other park settings. Not sure how important or not important these steps are since Park 1 seems valid enough. THANK YOU!
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Re: Park Position based interlock for small roll off observatory
jimwc@...
I was browsing the internet for roil off observatories. I saw one that was about the size of the old walk in close the door telephone booth.
it had room for his mount, Telescope, computer, etc.. open the door and roll it back on rails . Google roll off observatories. Jim
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Re: Interesting way to image with a cheap mount
Christopher M
My apologies for going down a garden path. I do like Mr Ghent's summary image. :)
Agreed, but I suspect there will always be people who will say or claim such-and-such is just as good as so-and-so. And there will those who will actually know. Actually I think most people will know quality when they witness it, be it a telescope mount or a car or whatever.
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