If I had designed the RCOS-20 I would have probably done a few things differently. I would have had the secondary spider arms connect to the secondary support ring at the same points as the truss junc

It so happens that I will be visiting the observatory in question tomorrow and I'll take another look at the truss pole pins. Three turnbuckles and some steel cables could solve any looseness in the t

I was simply stating what I would have done differently if I had designed the scope. There is an old joke that if you ask three different engineers how to solve a problem, you will get four different

Unless there is some imbalance in the RA axis. I have seen some mounts (no AP mounts yet) "bouncing along in the backlash" when pushing the OTA "downhill" Of course this would look completely differen

I am sure that it won't help much but I have to express my sympathy for Roland, the AP crew and all of the AP customers who are waiting for APCC. After all, it is being written by a third party contra

My apologies to Ray and DC-3 Dreams. I mis-read the 1600's PDF document that had DC-3 Dreams listed under APCC. http://www.astro-physics.com/products/mounts/1600gto/1600gto.pdf Christopher Erickson Co

Not likely, but could be a serial connection or serial converter or a "mechanical" problem with a serial connector pin. Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.

Maybe loosen the DEC motor a tiny bit and give it some backlash. Then try the motor again. If this unbinds the motor, reset the backlash and go forth and slew happily. Christopher Erickson Consulting

This one looks good. I have had excellent success with any adapter using the FTDI chip set. Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

Windows 8 (as a Virtual Machine in VMware Fusion on a Mac Mini.) Sure sounds like a road full of tears. Beating yourself to death with a blunt stick would be faster. Christopher Erickson Consulting En

USB ports are not assigned COM port numbers, USB-to-Serial adapters are. What are you using for a USB-to-Serial adapter? And did you install the correct 64-bit drivers for it? Christopher Erickson Con

The adapters I have had the best success with use FTDI chip sets. The COM port number assignments follow individual adapters, regardless of what USB port or hub they are plugged into. You can get some

Could be a dirty/oxidized/damaged connector. Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com

Looking for an Eagle pier - abused okay I have a remote observing project that will involve travel and it could really benefit from an Eagle pier. This project is likely to be hard on the pier so I re

12ga. -Christopher Erickson

You just have just a few basic choices for 100'. #14, #12, #10. I would run 3 #12's (hot, neutral and ground) if it really is just a scope, PC, dew heaters, etc. Terminate it into a 20A breaker in you

Hiring a licensed electrician is indeed the best advice of all. However I would like to add that there are three different kinds of grounding and your average electrician is only familiar with one. Th

LOL! I am using an "obsolete" T-chip! I'm not worried. We have been promised that the new V (or W, X, Y or Z-chip) will be available at the same time as the new APCC. What really, really worries me, i

It is painlessly straightforward. Disconnect cables from GTOCP2 box. Loosen two screws and remove GTOCP2 box. Mount GTOCP3 box and tighten two screws. Attach cables to GTOCP3 box. Apply power and chec

I always carry a pair of strap wrenches with rubberized straps. I mostly use them to unstick other people's stuff but every once in a while I have to use them on my gear too. http://www.acehardware.co