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Re: AP1600 regreasing
George
Craig,
The greasing concept for the 1200 and 1600 are, for the most part, the same. If you email me directly, I’ll send you the greasing instructions.
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-222-6538 (direct line) Phone: 815-282-1513 (office) Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Craig Young
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2021 11:31 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1600 regreasing
Karen,
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
Craig Young
Karen,
Given the current delays and increased cost with International shipping, it would be weeks to months before I would get the grease kit here in New Zealand. I did watch the video linked above and got the gist of how to do it. Would AP recommend any difference in the procedure, or could you email out specific instructions for the 1600 mount (purchased about 6 years ago). Like Mike, the OTA is off the mount and now is a convenient time to service it. Craig
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
michael mccann
I noticed that:). Thanks for letting us know.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Cheers Mike
On Dec 30, 2021, at 08:42, Karen Christen <karen@...> wrote:
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Re: Horizons 1.9.2.errors loading emphemeris
Bill Conrad
Works great. Thanks again.
BC
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Re: Horizons 1.9.2.errors loading emphemeris
Bill Conrad
Thanks. Will try it.
BC
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
Michael & Craig,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Please call our office at 815.282.1513 if you'd like to order the grease kit. It is not available on our website. Karen AP
-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of michael mccann via groups.io Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2021 2:03 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1600 regreasing Actually I might want to take advantage of the process as well since everything in my observatory is dismantled this week to remove an old concrete pier. I have an AP1600 AEL. And is there different lubricant? Cheers Mike -- Karen Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Horizons 1.9.2.errors loading emphemeris
Ray Gralak
Hi Bill,
Did the beta not get promoted to the latest version?No, it did not get promoted. There is an incompatibility between Eltima V10 and Windows 7, which required further changes. There were also additional changes to Horizons. Here are the links to the release version of Pro and Standard: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.3.1a.exe https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Standard_Setup_1.9.3.0a.exe -Ray -----Original Message-----
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Horizons 1.9.2.errors loading emphemeris
Bill Conrad
I know there was a beta of Horizons that corrected for the new JPL format.
I'm using Horizons 1.9.2.3 and still need to edit the format to correct the "Azi___(a-app)__Elev" to "Azi_(a-appr)_Elev" header. Did the beta not get promoted to the latest version? Thanks Bill Conrad
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Ray Gralak
Hi Marcelo,
I only noticed the effect a week or two ago and the only significant change has been the ambient temperature.Large changes in temperature not only affect refraction but the rigidity of the equipment, which will "bend" slightly more with increased temperature. This can change some of the pointing term values. The mount is semi-permanently located in my backyard on a portable pier, the black one that AP sells. And itIn a portable pier setup, polar alignment can shift as moisture in the ground changes. I suggest you check/tighten the scope's rings, mounting plate, camera connections, etc. Also, eliminate any drooping cables, then create a new 200+ point model to see if that solves the problem. (I will update APCC. I'm actually waiting for the latest version to come out of beta to test it, I'm interested inHere is a link to the latest version of APCC with updated help. This is a release build, the only caveat being Dale Ghent may not have released an updated NINA build yet to support the latest REST API changes in APPM: https://www.apastrosoftware.com/apcc_download/APCC_Pro_Setup_1.9.3.1a.exe -Ray -----Original Message-----
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
Bill Long
The grease kit they sell comes with instructions.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Craig Young <craig.young.m8@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2021 11:49 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: [ap-gto] AP1600 regreasing Is there a video or document that details re-greasing an AP1600 mount?
Craig
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Re: 1600GTO Encoder LED Color
#Absolute_Encoders
Bill Long
Mine are green on Dec, blue on RA. The OCD in me tried to get the Dec blue and I can, but as soon as I tighten the screw it switches back to green. 🤣 Oddly enough it needs to move outward a tiny amount to turn blue.
Not a big deal since it works perfectly, but I felt like the read head was teasing me. 😭
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2021 6:45 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] 1600GTO Encoder LED Color #Absolute_Encoders If you loosen the LED cover screws and slide the cover around carefully, you can get it to go from yellow to blue. When it's blue, tighten the screws and you are good to go. This does not change the encoder alignment, it simply adjusts the
readhead clearance dimension until it falls into the "perfect" position. Any colors from green to blue are considered perfect and will allow the CP4 to read the encoder scribe marks. Even yellow works, but is considered marginal spacing. Red means that the
readhead is not picking up the encoder signals.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: psparkman via groups.io <psparkman@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Wed, Dec 29, 2021 5:50 pm Subject: [ap-gto] 1600GTO Encoder LED Color #Absolute_Encoders Hello,
I recently bought a used 1600 with AE from the original owner. It is raining here in California, so I have not been able to use it to image yet, but have been testing it in the garage. Using APCC-Pro, I hooked it up and played with it. I don't get any errors, and the AE tab is available and the encoders are enabled. I noticed that there is a Green LED showing on the RA AE cover, but the DEC AE cover led is orange. Is this normal, or is something set up incorrectly? -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
There is a video here: https://youtu.be/R7s2kTzFNF4 . And AP sells a set of
grease for their mounts, contact them. Best regards, Geert -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- Van: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Namens michael mccann via groups.io Verzonden: donderdag 30 december 2021 8:03 Aan: main@ap-gto.groups.io Onderwerp: Re: [ap-gto] AP1600 regreasing Actually I might want to take advantage of the process as well since everything in my observatory is dismantled this week to remove an old concrete pier. I have an AP1600 AEL. And is there different lubricant? Cheers Mike This email has been scanned by BullGuard antivirus protection. For more info visit www.bullguard.com
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Re: AP1600 regreasing
michael mccann
Actually I might want to take advantage of the process as well since everything in my observatory is dismantled this week to remove an old concrete pier. I have an AP1600 AEL. And is there different lubricant?
Cheers Mike
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AP1600 regreasing
Craig Young
Is there a video or document that details re-greasing an AP1600 mount?
Craig
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Re: 1600GTO Encoder LED Color
#Absolute_Encoders
psparkman@...
Thanks Roland. I tested it across the full range of motion. The RA stays green the whole time. I will try to adjust the DEC as it is always orange with a couple of spots turning red.
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Re: 1600GTO Encoder LED Color
#Absolute_Encoders
Roland Christen
If you loosen the LED cover screws and slide the cover around carefully, you can get it to go from yellow to blue. When it's blue, tighten the screws and you are good to go. This does not change the encoder alignment, it simply adjusts the readhead clearance dimension until it falls into the "perfect" position. Any colors from green to blue are considered perfect and will allow the CP4 to read the encoder scribe marks. Even yellow works, but is considered marginal spacing. Red means that the readhead is not picking up the encoder signals.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: psparkman via groups.io <psparkman@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Wed, Dec 29, 2021 5:50 pm Subject: [ap-gto] 1600GTO Encoder LED Color #Absolute_Encoders Hello,
I recently bought a used 1600 with AE from the original owner. It is raining here in California, so I have not been able to use it to image yet, but have been testing it in the garage. Using APCC-Pro, I hooked it up and played with it. I don't get any errors, and the AE tab is available and the encoders are enabled. I noticed that there is a Green LED showing on the RA AE cover, but the DEC AE cover led is orange. Is this normal, or is something set up incorrectly? -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: 1600GTO Encoder LED Color
#Absolute_Encoders
psparkman@...
Thanks for the info Wade! I will run the mount through it's full range and watch the color of the LED's.
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Re: Insurance for AP Mounts
Scott Cooke
I have a rider on my homeowners policy of what's known as personal inland marine floater policy. It covers all my listed gear at $1.60/$100. It covers breakage, theft, damage from water, basically all losses including something called mysterious disappearance which means it's covered even if I just lose it. I had to photograph everything to verify ownership and document value either through retail prices or used ads for items no longer available new. They will cover each item for the amount documented. Thanks, Scott
On Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 8:21 PM Mike Dodd <mike@...> wrote: On 12/29/2021 7:44 PM, Dale Ghent wrote:
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Marcelo Figueroa
On Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 11:22 AM, Ray Gralak wrote:
A few questions: The modeling is from a few months ago, specifically October 25, 2021.
The modeling is 205 points.
I only noticed the effect a week or two ago and the only significant change has been the ambient temperature. It's summer here and it's around 19°C at night.
The mount is semi-permanently located in my backyard on a portable pier, the black one that AP sells. And it hasn't moved in over a year. (I will update APCC. I'm actually waiting for the latest version to come out of beta to test it, I'm interested in the new options on the meridian limits).
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Re: Insurance for AP Mounts
On 12/29/2021 7:44 PM, Dale Ghent wrote:
Oh, and the usual insurance games such as loss coverage not applying because of specific causes like flooding (either natural or from things like a backed-up sewer/septic) and such will be part of the game.For my amateur radio hobby, I pay $108 for an insurance policy that covers all my ham gear, about $7,800 worth, for one year. The premium rate of $1.40/$100 has not changed for three years. The policy covers equipment (per the website) "...on a replacement cost basis. Coverage is all risk with few exclusions." These policies are offered to members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and underwritten by Risk Strategies Company in Chicago. I wonder if any amateur astronomy association has or might be willing to offer similar policies. --- Mike
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