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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Howard Anderson has created a great blog of
challenges and problems at his remote roll-off observatory.
His observatory has clobbered his scope at least ten
times now. Replacing a USB cable seems to have helped.
He has shared lots of remote and robotic observatory
insights that some people might find useful.
I have heard
countless disaster stories over the years about scopes damaged or ruined by
roll-off roofs. However it seems that most people choose not to write up
their failures and put them on public display.
Christopher
Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: Christopher Erickson [mailto:christopher.k.erickson@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 3:51 PM To: 'ap-gto@...' Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park I don't think there is a "common method" for
determining scope position before closing the roof of a robotic
observatory.
For remotely-operated observatories I have
frequently-seen internal security cameras pointed at the
scope.
For robotic observatories, I do my best to
talk people out of requiring the scope to be in a particular position
before the roof can close. Either the scope gets damaged by a closing roof
or the scope and everything else gets damaged by bad weather through an open
roof.
Adding microswitches to a mount is a possible way to
separately verify mount position. As is combining a microcontroller
with a 3-axis accelerometer. A laser, photodiode and a small
reflector is another way.
However none of those approaches actually provide for
any means to close the observatory if the mount is found outside of the
safe-park position. Only having a backup protection system like a
retracting pier can do that.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 12:29 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park It seems that any automated roof which could collide with the scope in some
positions must need to be able to verify the scope is in a safe position. How is
this commonly done?
My first thought was to mount a laser on the scope top saddle that
illuminated a sensor at the bottom of a small wall mounted black tube. The scope
would need to be very precisely parked indeed to illuminate the sensor and
enable roof operation.
Mike
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
I don't think there is a "common method" for
determining scope position before closing the roof of a robotic
observatory.
For remotely-operated observatories I have
frequently-seen internal security cameras pointed at the
scope.
For robotic observatories, I do my best to
talk people out of requiring the scope to be in a particular position
before the roof can close. Either the scope gets damaged by a closing roof
or the scope and everything else gets damaged by bad weather through an open
roof.
Adding microswitches to a mount is a possible way to
separately verify mount position. As is combining a microcontroller
with a 3-axis accelerometer. A laser, photodiode and a small
reflector is another way.
However none of those approaches actually provide for
any means to close the observatory if the mount is found outside of the
safe-park position. Only having a backup protection system like a
retracting pier can do that.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 12:29 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park It seems that any automated roof which could collide with the scope in some
positions must need to be able to verify the scope is in a safe position. How is
this commonly done?
My first thought was to mount a laser on the scope top saddle that
illuminated a sensor at the bottom of a small wall mounted black tube. The scope
would need to be very precisely parked indeed to illuminate the sensor and
enable roof operation.
Mike
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Mike C
It seems that any automated roof which could collide with the scope in some positions must need to be able to verify the scope is in a safe position. How is this commonly done? My first thought was to mount a laser on the scope top saddle that illuminated a sensor at the bottom of a small wall mounted black tube. The scope would need to be very precisely parked indeed to illuminate the sensor and enable roof operation. Mike |
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
That is an excellent design.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 10:40 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park http://lascampanasremote.org/observatory/
Rolando -----Original
Message-----
From: 'Christopher Erickson' christopher.k.erickson@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Wed, Mar 15, 2017 3:18 pm Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Another risk I see with scope park requirements
for roof operation is what happens if there is an operator error, program
crash, computer crash, reboot, power glitch, or something and the
mount starts tracking again while the roof is closed? Then opening the
roof will hit the scope as well.
There are serious risks associated with remote
and robotic observatory designs that require the scope to be in a specific
position for safe roof operation without proper failsafe and backup
systems.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: Christopher Erickson [mailto:christopher.k.erickson@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 8:27 AM To: 'ap-gto@...' Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park That is one workable approach. However if the
user is using USB, Ethernet or WiFi to a CP4 then the communications
intervention method becomes more complex. A 4PST telecom relay could
be incorporated to disconnect USB, Serial(s) and Ethernet communications but it
wouldn't stop WiFi.
I also worry about larger hazards and failsafes in this
system.
What if the scope doesn't park for some reason?
Does the roof just go ahead and crash into it? Would the roof then be
jammed open? And if we make the roof sense the mount position, do we just
leave the roof open if the scope isn't parked? How do we prevent
roof crashes and jams? How do we make sure that the roof can always close
in bad weather? Given reality, it is almost 100% guaranteed that
a crash/jam will happen eventually. That risk seems unacceptable
to me and some kind of additional failsafe capability should be figured
out. Either change the mount height so the roof can close regardless of
mount position (greatly preferred) or incorporate a heavy-duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
column as a backup to lower the scope to prevent crashes and
jams.
In fact I would consider incorporating a heavy duty
Pier-Tech (Linak) double or triple column pier into your setup and only raise
the pier when you want to image near the horizon for some reason and keep it
down at all other times. Signal from the roof control system would command
the pier to retract as well as tell the mount to go to Park 4. As long as
at least one of the two devices (mount, pier) worked correctly, the scope would
be safe and the roof would close properly.
ACP scripting can be used to control Pier-Tech or Linak
column(s).
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 7:46 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Would this be useful? I
could whip up a batch of these:
A small device, (no bigger than an RS232
gender changer):
1) Has a serial DB9 output (labeled
MOUNT)
2) Has a serial DB9
input (labeled PC)
3) Requires no power, normally just
passes RS232 through it from PC to mount.
4) Has a input labeled "Emergency Park",
that accepts 0V to 30V on that input.
5) If you put 5V or more on that input,
it:
a) cuts off serial
access to the mount from your PC
b) issues a STOP all
motion command to the mount
c) issues GOTO to a PARK
position or custom alt/Az
d) parks the
mount
e) continues to monitor
the mount for activity and issues
STOP
repeatedly if the mount is awakened
6) When power is removed from the "Emergency
Park" input, the serial
ports are re-connected. (Your
control software must unpark the mount, etc.)
Mike
On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 9:10 AM, 'Christopher
Erickson' christopher.k.erickson@...
[ap-gto] <ap-gto@...>
wrote:
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Roland Christen
In the case of our remote facility in Chile, there is no problem with moving the roof, no matter where the scope is pointed. Roof is tall enough to clear all scope positions. Not only does the roof retract, but the side walls also, which allows operation to the horizon:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
http://lascampanasremote.org/observatory/
Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: 'Christopher Erickson' christopher.k.erickson@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Wed, Mar 15, 2017 3:18 pm Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Another risk I see with scope park requirements for
roof operation is what happens if there is an operator error, program
crash, computer crash, reboot, power glitch, or something and the
mount starts tracking again while the roof is closed? Then opening the
roof will hit the scope as well.
There are serious risks associated with remote and
robotic observatory designs that require the scope to be in a specific position
for safe roof operation without proper failsafe and backup
systems.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: Christopher Erickson [mailto:christopher.k.erickson@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 8:27 AM To: 'ap-gto@...' Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park That is one workable approach. However if the user is using
USB, Ethernet or WiFi to a CP4 then the communications intervention method
becomes more complex. A 4PST telecom relay could be incorporated to
disconnect USB, Serial(s) and Ethernet communications but it wouldn't stop
WiFi.
I also worry about larger hazards and failsafes in this
system.
What if the scope doesn't park for some reason? Does the roof
just go ahead and crash into it? Would the roof then be jammed open?
And if we make the roof sense the mount position, do we just leave the roof open
if the scope isn't parked? How do we prevent roof crashes and
jams? How do we make sure that the roof can always close in bad
weather? Given reality, it is almost 100% guaranteed that
a crash/jam will happen eventually. That risk seems unacceptable
to me and some kind of additional failsafe capability should be figured
out. Either change the mount height so the roof can close regardless of
mount position (greatly preferred) or incorporate a heavy-duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
column as a backup to lower the scope to prevent crashes and
jams.
In fact I would consider incorporating a heavy duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
double or triple column pier into your setup and only raise the pier when you
want to image near the horizon for some reason and keep it down at all other
times. Signal from the roof control system would command the pier to
retract as well as tell the mount to go to Park 4. As long as at least one
of the two devices (mount, pier) worked correctly, the scope would be safe and
the roof would close properly.
ACP scripting can be used to control Pier-Tech or Linak
column(s).
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 7:46 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Would this be useful? I
could whip up a batch of these:
A small device, (no bigger than an RS232
gender changer):
1) Has a serial DB9 output (labeled
MOUNT)
2) Has a serial DB9
input (labeled PC)
3) Requires no power, normally just
passes RS232 through it from PC to mount.
4) Has a input labeled "Emergency Park",
that accepts 0V to 30V on that input.
5) If you put 5V or more on that input,
it:
a) cuts off serial
access to the mount from your PC
b) issues a STOP all
motion command to the mount
c) issues GOTO to a PARK
position or custom alt/Az
d) parks the
mount
e) continues to monitor
the mount for activity and issues
STOP
repeatedly if the mount is awakened
6) When power is removed from the "Emergency
Park" input, the serial
ports are re-connected. (Your
control software must unpark the mount, etc.)
Mike
On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 9:10 AM, 'Christopher Erickson'
christopher.k.erickson@...
[ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Another risk I see with scope park requirements for
roof operation is what happens if there is an operator error, program
crash, computer crash, reboot, power glitch, or something and the
mount starts tracking again while the roof is closed? Then opening the
roof will hit the scope as well.
There are serious risks associated with remote and
robotic observatory designs that require the scope to be in a specific position
for safe roof operation without proper failsafe and backup
systems.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: Christopher Erickson [mailto:christopher.k.erickson@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 8:27 AM To: 'ap-gto@...' Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park That is one workable approach. However if the user is using
USB, Ethernet or WiFi to a CP4 then the communications intervention method
becomes more complex. A 4PST telecom relay could be incorporated to
disconnect USB, Serial(s) and Ethernet communications but it wouldn't stop
WiFi.
I also worry about larger hazards and failsafes in this
system.
What if the scope doesn't park for some reason? Does the roof
just go ahead and crash into it? Would the roof then be jammed open?
And if we make the roof sense the mount position, do we just leave the roof open
if the scope isn't parked? How do we prevent roof crashes and
jams? How do we make sure that the roof can always close in bad
weather? Given reality, it is almost 100% guaranteed that
a crash/jam will happen eventually. That risk seems unacceptable
to me and some kind of additional failsafe capability should be figured
out. Either change the mount height so the roof can close regardless of
mount position (greatly preferred) or incorporate a heavy-duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
column as a backup to lower the scope to prevent crashes and
jams.
In fact I would consider incorporating a heavy duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
double or triple column pier into your setup and only raise the pier when you
want to image near the horizon for some reason and keep it down at all other
times. Signal from the roof control system would command the pier to
retract as well as tell the mount to go to Park 4. As long as at least one
of the two devices (mount, pier) worked correctly, the scope would be safe and
the roof would close properly.
ACP scripting can be used to control Pier-Tech or Linak
column(s).
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 7:46 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Would this be useful? I
could whip up a batch of these:
A small device, (no bigger than an RS232
gender changer):
1) Has a serial DB9 output (labeled
MOUNT)
2) Has a serial DB9
input (labeled PC)
3) Requires no power, normally just
passes RS232 through it from PC to mount.
4) Has a input labeled "Emergency Park",
that accepts 0V to 30V on that input.
5) If you put 5V or more on that input,
it:
a) cuts off serial
access to the mount from your PC
b) issues a STOP all
motion command to the mount
c) issues GOTO to a PARK
position or custom alt/Az
d) parks the
mount
e) continues to monitor
the mount for activity and issues
STOP
repeatedly if the mount is awakened
6) When power is removed from the "Emergency
Park" input, the serial
ports are re-connected. (Your
control software must unpark the mount, etc.)
Mike
On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 9:10 AM, 'Christopher Erickson'
christopher.k.erickson@...
[ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
That is one workable approach. However if the user is using
USB, Ethernet or WiFi to a CP4 then the communications intervention method
becomes more complex. A 4PST telecom relay could be incorporated to
disconnect USB, Serial(s) and Ethernet communications but it wouldn't stop
WiFi.
I also worry about larger hazards and failsafes in this
system.
What if the scope doesn't park for some reason? Does the roof
just go ahead and crash into it? Would the roof then be jammed open?
And if we make the roof sense the mount position, do we just leave the roof open
if the scope isn't parked? How do we prevent roof crashes and
jams? How do we make sure that the roof can always close in bad
weather? Given reality, it is almost 100% guaranteed that
a crash/jam will happen eventually. That risk seems unacceptable
to me and some kind of additional failsafe capability should be figured
out. Either change the mount height so the roof can close regardless of
mount position (greatly preferred) or incorporate a heavy-duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
column as a backup to lower the scope to prevent crashes and
jams.
In fact I would consider incorporating a heavy duty Pier-Tech (Linak)
double or triple column pier into your setup and only raise the pier when you
want to image near the horizon for some reason and keep it down at all other
times. Signal from the roof control system would command the pier to
retract as well as tell the mount to go to Park 4. As long as at least one
of the two devices (mount, pier) worked correctly, the scope would be safe and
the roof would close properly.
ACP scripting can be used to control Pier-Tech or Linak
column(s).
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 7:46 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park Would this be useful? I
could whip up a batch of these:
A small device, (no bigger than an RS232
gender changer):
1) Has a serial DB9 output (labeled
MOUNT)
2) Has a serial DB9
input (labeled PC)
3) Requires no power, normally just
passes RS232 through it from PC to mount.
4) Has a input labeled "Emergency Park",
that accepts 0V to 30V on that input.
5) If you put 5V or more on that input,
it:
a) cuts off serial
access to the mount from your PC
b) issues a STOP all
motion command to the mount
c) issues GOTO to a PARK
position or custom alt/Az
d) parks the
mount
e) continues to monitor
the mount for activity and issues
STOP
repeatedly if the mount is awakened
6) When power is removed from the "Emergency
Park" input, the serial
ports are re-connected. (Your
control software must unpark the mount, etc.)
Mike
On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 9:10 AM, 'Christopher Erickson'
christopher.k.erickson@...
[ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Greg Kinne
Mike,
Yes, that sounds excellent...let me check w/ the person setting up the observatory software / roof control and verify. Thanks!! Greg |
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Mike C
Would this be useful? I could whip up a batch of these: A small device, (no bigger than an RS232 gender changer): 1) Has a serial DB9 output (labeled MOUNT) 2) Has a serial DB9 input (labeled PC) 3) Requires no power, normally just passes RS232 through it from PC to mount. 4) Has a input labeled "Emergency Park", that accepts 0V to 30V on that input. 5) If you put 5V or more on that input, it: a) cuts off serial access to the mount from your PC b) issues a STOP all motion command to the mount c) issues GOTO to a PARK position or custom alt/Az d) parks the mount e) continues to monitor the mount for activity and issues STOP repeatedly if the mount is awakened 6) When power is removed from the "Emergency Park" input, the serial ports are re-connected. (Your control software must unpark the mount, etc.) Mike On Wed, Mar 15, 2017 at 9:10 AM, 'Christopher Erickson' christopher.k.erickson@... [ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
No problem. Shoot me an email off-list.
Christopher Erickson
Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 6:15 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park the weather monitoring is done outside my system, however there may be
other reasons that the owners want to close the roof (wind, or dust, etc.)
Sending a command to the cp4 sounds like it's worth testing. a
raspberry pi option sounds good. Chris, could we discuss off-line?
I'll also look into my resources here to get that option programmed.
And I'll call Howard @ AP to discuss too.
Thanks again all!
Greg
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Re: 1200GTO capacity question
John Kutney
I have 60lbs with a significant torque arm with an AP 1100. No problems. JK On Wednesday, March 15, 2017 3:35 AM, "Alan Pryor adpryor1953@... [ap-gto]" wrote: I have a couple of AP mounts. I have found them to be capable of astrophotography up to their stated limits with no problems. Alan From: "shadowguyaz@... [ap-gto]" To: ap-gto@... Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 2:32 AM Subject: [ap-gto] 1200GTO capacity question I'm looking at telescope options to go into a permanent observatory. I recently acquired a 1200GTO mount which is in very good condition and shows little sign of wear. One of the telescopes under consideration is a 400 mm f/8 R-C in a half-truss tube assembly. The OTA is about 40 kg, 525 mm in diameter and 980 mm long. With a focuser, camera and filter wheel, the total load should be something less than 48 kg, but let's suppose 50 kg to be conservative. This is within the stated capacity for this mount, both in terms of telescope size and mass. I also note that Planewave sells accessories to mount their much heavier 17.5" CDK on a 1200, so evidently they think it can be done. Before I commit to buying anything, I would be interested in any first-hand experiences with a telescope in this class (the 400 mm R-C, not the Planewave) on a 1200-series mount. It seems unlikely that the load would impose risk of damage, however the system must also be reasonably stable in at least light wind conditions to be of use. The telescope and mount will be housed either in a dome or roll-off building with walls which extend at least to the top of the tube assembly. Comments, or better yet, pointers to similar system configurations would be most appreciated. -- Mike --
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Greg Kinne
Thanks All for your input...
the weather monitoring is done outside my system, however there may be other reasons that the owners want to close the roof (wind, or dust, etc.) Sending a command to the cp4 sounds like it's worth testing. a raspberry pi option sounds good. Chris, could we discuss off-line? I'll also look into my resources here to get that option programmed. And I'll call Howard @ AP to discuss too. Thanks again all! Greg |
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Re: APCC Horizon in an automatic procedure
Roland Christen
I guess I misunderstood. Perhaps someone else can answer this question.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: Stephane CHARBONNEL scharbonnel949@... [ap-gto] To: ap-gto Sent: Wed, Mar 15, 2017 4:52 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APCC Horizon in an automatic procedure Thank you Rolando for your reply.
If I have well understood, you write about the meridian delay and I completly ok with you for an automated session (I don't play with the fire ;-) )2017-03-14 23:31 GMT+01:00 chris1011@... [ap-gto] <ap-gto@...>:
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Re: APCC Horizon in an automatic procedure
Ray Gralak
HI Stephane,
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I don't believe there is an ASCOM property that does that. How would you need to use this property, if it were available? (e.g. in an automation script?) You could save the Horizons data (in the Horizon's editor window) to a .HRZ file. It's a simple ascii text file that you could later read and parse to get the horizon values (or do the reverse - create a custom HRZ file and load it into APCC!) -Ray Gralak Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): http://www.astro-physics.com/index.htm?products/accessories/software/apcc/apcc Author of PEMPro: http://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: http://www.gralak.com/apdriver Author of PulseGuide: http://www.pulseguide.com Author of Sigma: http://www.gralak.com/sigma -----Original Message----- |
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Re: APCC Horizon in an automatic procedure
Stephane Charbonnel
Thank you Rolando for your reply. If I have well understood, you write about the meridian delay and I completly ok with you for an automated session (I don't play with the fire ;-) )
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Re: 1200GTO capacity question
Alan Pryor
I have a couple of AP mounts. I have found them to be capable of astrophotography up to their stated limits with no problems. Alan From: "shadowguyaz@... [ap-gto]" To: ap-gto@... Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 2:32 AM Subject: [ap-gto] 1200GTO capacity question I'm looking at telescope options to go into a permanent observatory. I recently acquired a 1200GTO mount which is in very good condition and shows little sign of wear. One of the telescopes under consideration is a 400 mm f/8 R-C in a half-truss tube assembly. The OTA is about 40 kg, 525 mm in diameter and 980 mm long. With a focuser, camera and filter wheel, the total load should be something less than 48 kg, but let's suppose 50 kg to be conservative. This is within the stated capacity for this mount, both in terms of telescope size and mass. I also note that Planewave sells accessories to mount their much heavier 17.5" CDK on a 1200, so evidently they think it can be done. Before I commit to buying anything, I would be interested in any first-hand experiences with a telescope in this class (the 400 mm R-C, not the Planewave) on a 1200-series mount. It seems unlikely that the load would impose risk of damage, however the system must also be reasonably stable in at least light wind conditions to be of use. The telescope and mount will be housed either in a dome or roll-off building with walls which extend at least to the top of the tube assembly. Comments, or better yet, pointers to similar system configurations would be most appreciated. -- Mike --
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1200GTO capacity question
Mike C
I'm looking at telescope options to go into a permanent observatory. I recently acquired a 1200GTO mount which is in very good condition and shows little sign of wear. One of the telescopes under consideration is a 400 mm f/8 R-C in a half-truss tube assembly. The OTA is about 40 kg, 525 mm in diameter and 980 mm long. With a focuser, camera and filter wheel, the total load should be something less than 48 kg, but let's suppose 50 kg to be conservative. This is within the stated capacity for this mount, both in terms of telescope size and mass. I also note that Planewave sells accessories to mount their much heavier 17.5" CDK on a 1200, so evidently they think it can be done. Before I commit to buying anything, I would be interested in any first-hand experiences with a telescope in this class (the 400 mm R-C, not the Planewave) on a 1200-series mount. It seems unlikely that the load would impose risk of damage, however the system must also be reasonably stable in at least light wind conditions to be of use. The telescope and mount will be housed either in a dome or roll-off building with walls which extend at least to the top of the tube assembly.
Comments, or better yet, pointers to similar system configurations would be most appreciated. -- Mike -- |
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Re: Want to use AP1100AE unguided and TSX
Suresh Mohan
Just curious cannot Ray s pulse guiding do the same ? Suresh On 15-Mar-2017, at 9:01 AM, pnelson@... [ap-gto] <ap-gto@...> wrote:
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Re: Want to use AP1100AE unguided and TSX
PeterN
Following what Dave has said, I have a 1600AE and with a good model I can get 30 min unguided exposures. I'm using a Planewave 12.5
Best Peter |
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Re: Emergency Shutdown and Park
Actually I see a lot of concerns about this
setup.
What if the mount doesn't get parked in time?
What if the mount gets unparked by your observatory PC while the
roof is closed or is closing/opening?
The SAFE way
to do this is to make sure the roof can close regardless of where your scope is
pointing.
Anything else
is a risk to your scope and the rest of the observatory.
Even if
sensors were added that would prevent the roof from hitting your unparked scope
were added, that means your scope can prevent the roof from closing in a weather
event.
One possible
backup solution for observatory and scope safety would be the addition of one or
more Piertech (Linak) columns that could lower the entire scope down to clear
the roof.
The current
setup sounds like an inevitable disaster just waiting to
happen. Christopher
Erickson From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2017 1:02 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Emergency Shutdown and Park Hi, I have my 1100GTO mount (late 2016 model - GTOCP4 box w/ APCC Pro) at a remote observatory with a roll off roof, the scope has to be in a Park 4 position in order for the roof to close properly and not hit the OTA. The owner of the building wants to be able to send me a trigger, command or some other indicator that will give me a 2 minute warning that the roof is about to close due to weather or other reason. Two questions: What's the best method to monitor a 'shut-down' command coming from 'outside' the system? Also, if my connection to the computer from a remote location is lost, i'll need the scope computer on-site to be able to 'see' this command and immediately move the scope to the Park 4 position and Park. Any recommendations on how this can be accomplished? Thank you! Greg Kinne |
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