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Re: Power Supply died due to heat (daytime sun) I believe.
#Mach2GTO
Micheal Fields Jr
Hi Karen. No problem. I bought a really nice one that has a cooling fan. I'd rather not simply replace a dead one with an identical one that will die on me later. This is the item I ordered. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0146IAXYO I intend to desolder the cables from the existing (dead) supply and re-use them with this item. I use one very similar with my other 24v powered mount without issue.
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Bruce Donzanti
Hi Brian
Gotcha- great images...... as I dabble in my Bortle 6 below average seeing skies most of the year. :-( Thanks for the info. The guiding is working ok and the PHD2 multi-star features seems to help a bit more. I'm not sure trying a model will greatly help me. Perhaps in the end, it is just another approach (easier in some ways and harder in others) to get the same results.
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Hi Bruce we do only unguided on our 1600ae with CDK17 at ~3000mm focal length/ 0.63" image scale. For us the model is essential to do unguiding. here's an example: https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/astrophotography/i-5vPSkwn/A We regularly do 300sec exposures unguided. Our planewave is a truss design, so i think there's a bit of movement in there that prevents us from exceptional results. i think we are going to add Roland's 'bump guiding' technique as we are now upgrading to a bigger telescope Even if we were guiding, i would still add the model to make tracking more accurate. Brian
On Fri, Apr 2, 2021 at 8:50 AM Bruce Donzanti <donza2735@...> wrote: Thank you all for the feedback. I am doing OAG now and can easily get good tracking and round stars up to 5 minutes but the guiding can be finicky at times. So, it is a thought to try but I will think about it further. I realize the mirror is not really locked but it appears good enough to make a huge difference. And I agree it is probably scope-dependent to a degree as to how well it will work. --
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Bruce Donzanti
Thank you all for the feedback. I am doing OAG now and can easily get good tracking and round stars up to 5 minutes but the guiding can be finicky at times. So, it is a thought to try but I will think about it further. I realize the mirror is not really locked but it appears good enough to make a huge difference. And I agree it is probably scope-dependent to a degree as to how well it will work.
Thx again - I appreciate everyone's opinions and suggestions
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Re: APCC License Transfer
That’s good news, Wayne. We highly recommend that everyone write pertinent details on the first page of your mount manual, such as the serial number and license keys. Just another place you can find it later if you need it. Karen AP
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Wayne Hixson via groups.io
Sent: Friday, April 2, 2021 10:14 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] APCC License Transfer
All taken care of - twice! The office didn’t have the old key but Daleen and Paige sent me the one for my Mach2. You just have to register the mount. I then found an email conversation I had with Ray Gralak in 2017 about a problem I was having with the key, and a copy of the key was in one of the emails. I filed both safely away and took screen shots also.
-- Karen Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
W Hilmo
It’s worth a try, but there is no guarantee.
I have an EdgeHD 8, and I have to use an OAG. I tried “locking” the primary mirror. The clutches on the EdgeHD scopes are not actually locks. They are two flexible rods that can be locked with the knobs on the back of the scope. This greatly reduces the primary mirror tilt as the scope moves, but does not completely eliminate it, since the rods are flexible. Also, the rods don’t to anything to prevent lateral movement of the mirror, relative to the baffle tube
The upshot of all of this, is that at a 0.5 arc seconds per pixel, 5 minute exposures were not usable and 3 minute exposures had very noticeable elongation. Exposures under 2 minutes were not horrible, but also not really good. I did experiments with a guide scope, and I did experiments with going unguided (with a model and absolute encoders). The only thing that gave me acceptable results was an OAG, which completely solved the problem.
Still, I have heard of others that are locking the mirror clutches and getting acceptable results, so there may be some variability between scopes. As I said, it’s worth a try to see how your specific scope works.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bruce Donzanti
Sent: Friday, April 2, 2021 3:08 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
I am once again re-thinking if it makes sense to attempt unguided imaging on my C11" EdgeHD where I have now locked down my primary mirror and upgraded to the Optec FastFocus system where focusing is done solely using the secondary mirror. This should eliminate the major mirror flop/shift issues due to moving the primary mirror. My scope is on an AP1100 in a permanent observatory but I do not have encoders. I use a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera (APS-C sensor) and usually use the 0.7x focal reducer. The question is: Is it even worth the effort to try building a model to go unguided imaging or is a refractor still the way to go? Guiding works ok but it can be finicky at times.
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Re: APCC License Transfer
Wayne Hixson
All taken care of - twice! The office didn’t have the old key but Daleen and Paige sent me the one for my Mach2. You just have to register the mount. I then found an email conversation I had with Ray Gralak in 2017 about a problem I was having with the key, and a copy of the key was in one of the emails. I filed both safely away and took screen shots also.
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Re: APCC License Transfer
Wayne Hixson
Hey that’s right. I should have got a new one with my Mach2. Didn’t really look, but I’ll check with the documentation
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Apr 2, 2021, at 6:52 AM, Kenneth Tan <ktanhs@...> wrote:
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Re: APCC License Transfer
Kenneth Tan
I should get one with my mach2 gto right? Is it in the manual packet?
On Fri, 2 Apr 2021 at 21:44, George <george@...> wrote:
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Re: APCC License Transfer
George
Wayne,
Contact our office. We may have it on file.
Everyone…it is VERY IMPORTANT to save a copy of your APCC license key in several backed-up places!
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 Wayne Hixson via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, April 1, 2021 7:05 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] APCC License Transfer
I’m moving my imaging software to a new computer. I no longer have the email with the license key. Is there a way to recover it, or have it re-sent?
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Jeffc
Fwiw, a bit tangential, but to the point of long FL uguided imaging…. I did a backyard test recently of a Meade 12” ACF at f6.7 (2040mm FL) (with clement focuser and robofocus) on the ach2. I didn’t build a model but just did “short” 3 minute unguided exposures and the stars look good.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Apr 2, 2021, at 3:08 AM, Bruce Donzanti <donza2735@...> wrote:
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Re: Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Hi,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
yes, I would start with a three stripe Modell around the target. Grüsse Konstantin Konstantin v. Poschinger Hammerichstr. 5 22605 Hamburg 040/8805747 0171/1983476
Am 02.04.2021 um 12:08 schrieb Bruce Donzanti <donza2735@...>:
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Pointing Model for Unguided Imaging on a C11" EdgeHD (with primary mirror locked)
Bruce Donzanti
I am once again re-thinking if it makes sense to attempt unguided imaging on my C11" EdgeHD where I have now locked down my primary mirror and upgraded to the Optec FastFocus system where focusing is done solely using the secondary mirror. This should eliminate the major mirror flop/shift issues due to moving the primary mirror. My scope is on an AP1100 in a permanent observatory but I do not have encoders. I use a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro camera (APS-C sensor) and usually use the 0.7x focal reducer. The question is: Is it even worth the effort to try building a model to go unguided imaging or is a refractor still the way to go? Guiding works ok but it can be finicky at times.
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Re: 2021 production plans for the 1600GTO?
KHursh
CBO are straight shooters.
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APCC License Transfer
Wayne Hixson
I’m moving my imaging software to a new computer. I no longer have the email with the license key. Is there a way to recover it, or have it re-sent?
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Re: Scavenger Hunt - 4" Flattener and TCC (S155EDFFF and 155TCC)
Tyrel Smith
The flattener has been located. Many thanks to the respondent. I'm still in search of the elusive 155TCC. My White Whale, she be!
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Re: 2021 production plans for the 1600GTO?
mjb87@...
Agreed. I have had excellent interactions with Company 7 involving both mounts and telescopes. They have also provided me with very helpful technical advice over the years.
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APCC PRO and Horizon Editor
I used my Theodolite App on my iPhone to get the horizon altitude every 5-10 degrees for 360 degrees of azimuth. I created a table of the values and would like to create the horizon in APCC PRO on my laptop in the house and then somehow import it into APCC PRO on my observatory PC. I keep looking at the manual and it explains how to use the mouse to drag and create the horizon line. What I want to do is add horizon data points one at a time and create my horizon. So far I have been unsuccessful.
Does the mount have to be connected to APCC with my location selected to create a horizon? It seems that should not be the case? Or am I doing something wrong? Jack Huerkamp
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Re: Power Supply died due to heat (daytime sun) I believe.
#Mach2GTO
Michael,
Please email me directly at karen at astro-physics dot com. We’ll get you taken care of. Karen AP
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Micheal Fields Jr via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 10:58 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Power Supply died due to heat (daytime sun) I believe. #Mach2GTO
My 24v power supply that came with the mount died sometime today. My system was set up in the back yard and other than shutting down the laptop, I did not power down anything else. I just threw a cover over my scope. -- Karen Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Power Supply died due to heat (daytime sun) I believe.
#Mach2GTO
annaski
That's funny. Mine also died but I was speculating that it was from the sub-zero freezes we've been having.
Contact AP, they took care of me and sent a new one. I did order another from Amazon too as backup, since clear nights are precious here in New England and I lost out on a few in a row (isn't that always the way). You just need something like this https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N2ZJ18D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to connect, assuming that you bought one with a 12 dc connector.
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