AP1100 park position question
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Shailesh Trivedi
I am sure this question is straightforward and I have read it in the manual but I must ask for clarification about stability.
I am considering putting my AP1100 in an observatory. To reduce the height of a potential ROR observatory, is it possible to "stably", stable being the key word, park with CW horizontal and the OTA either on east or west side of the pier? This will be the normal park resting place always, hence the request for confirmation and stability. This decision will make a large difference for me in my choices. Thanks, Shailesh |
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Dale Ghent
Park positions 1, 4, or 5 will orient the mount as you wish. Positions 4 or 5 are the suggested park positions and put the telescope on the east side of the pier. Park 1 will put the telescope on the west side. The direction that the telescope points in these positions depends on which hemisphere you are in.
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Review this document for the details: https://www.astro-physics.info/tech_support/mounts/park-positions-defined.pdf On Apr 20, 2021, at 12:54, Shailesh Trivedi <strivedi@...> wrote: |
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Erik Stein
See: https://astro-physics.info/index.htm?tech_support/tech_support
Specifically within that page, check out the illustrations in this document: https://astro-physics.info/tech_support/mounts/park-positions-defined.pdf |
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Erik Stein
As long as you are balanced, it should be stable in any position.
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Joe Zeglinski
Hi Shailesh,
I see good suggestions about stable, and also safe Park
positions for stowing. However, I am somewhat concerned about stowing the
telescope at other than Park-2 or Park-3.
I assume there would be an “undo additional strain” on
all the various screw attachments on the saddle and OTA, as well as its attached
accessories, if the OTA is hanging - straight out to the side. Depending on your
observatory’s Latitude, the Park 2&3 positions lessen the overhang loading,
as the OTA and the heavy bar sit slightly more OVER the mount, closer to its
centre of gravity, and thus somewhat decreases any undo strain on both the OTA
various attachments, as well as the counterweight bar threads.
This may be a minor point, but may be worth considering,
from a mechanical point of view, assuming that is a viable option.
Joe Z.
From: Shailesh Trivedi
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 12:54 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [ap-gto] AP1100 park position question I
am sure this question is straightforward and I have read it in the manual but I
must ask for clarification about stability. I am considering putting my AP1100 in an observatory. To reduce the height of a potential ROR observatory, is it possible to "stably", stable being the key word, park with CW horizontal and the OTA either on east or west side of the pier? This will be the normal park resting place always, hence the request for confirmation and stability. This decision will make a large difference for me in my choices. Thanks, Shailesh |
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Sébastien Doré
Shailesh,
What exactly do you mean by "stable"?
Do you mean in a position where the scopes and CW are in balance on the mount or in a position where you can safely add / remove the components to it ?
In the latter case, the only stable park positions would be Park 2 and 3. Others (park 1, 4 and 5) would require some kind of support under the CW shaft to prevent it from swinging around once the scope side equipments are removed.
Sébastien
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Worsel
Shailesh
I have used Park 4 for several years for exactly the roof height issues that you are evaluating. This is for a 1100 mount with a 14 CDK scope. There have been no problems. I have a PierTech height adjustable pier (http://piertechinc.com/telescope-piers/). When I need to tinker with equipment, I lower the mount and move it to P3, where it clears the roof. To remove equipment, I loosen the clutches (older style 1100) and rotate/lower the OTA to a separate support table before loosening the dovetail. I normally leave the pier at almost max height, in order for the roof to clear on opening. The adjustable piers are actually from another company, but I have forgotten the name. I think Chris Erickson has these. Bryan |
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Shailesh Trivedi
Thanks Dale, this is very helpful
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Shailesh Trivedi
Thank you Bryan. I am considering the height adjustable pier from Pier Tech.
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Shailesh Trivedi
Thank you your feedback Joe. This is exactly why I was asking this question. Stability also implies undue strain as you point out.
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mjb87
I use Park 4 in my ROR and have done this for years. I did design the ROR so i can freely move the mount in any direction with the roof closed. Very helpful to be able to put it in Park 2 or 3 with the roof closed.
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Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier. Shailesh |
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Christopher,
The company is Linak out of Kentucky and the columns I used were the DL2 2500 Newton rated. My original ones were rated at 1000 Newtons each when used with a non AP mount. With the AP1600 and 150# of equipment on the dual column setup, I changed to the 2500 Newton thrust each – 5000 Newton total thrust.
DL2: Robust lifting column for desks, workstations and kitchens (linak-us.com)
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Christopher Erickson
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:09 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 park position question
Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier.
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 9:27 AM Worsel via groups.io <bryancashion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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You are right! I misremembered the name. On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 5:36 PM Jack Huerkamp <Mallincamusa@...> wrote:
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Jack Did Linak sell direct to you? Don Anderson
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 09:36:40 p.m. MDT, Jack Huerkamp <mallincamusa@...> wrote:
Christopher,
The company is Linak out of Kentucky and the columns I used were the DL2 2500 Newton rated. My original ones were rated at 1000 Newtons each when used with a non AP mount. With the AP1600 and 150# of equipment on the dual column setup, I changed to the 2500 Newton thrust each – 5000 Newton total thrust.
DL2: Robust lifting column for desks, workstations and kitchens (linak-us.com)
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Christopher Erickson
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 10:09 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 park position question
Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier.
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 9:27 AM Worsel via groups.io <bryancashion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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IIRC they sell through distributors. Contact them and ask. I have found the best deals on eBay. I set up an automated search and check out the new auctions as they are put up.
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PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Do NOT make your roll-off walls so low that you only barely clear the scope. Allow for the largest diameter scope that you ever plan to own, and then allow a bit of cushion. Unless you are on the highest point on a small desert island, you won't be imaging right at the horizon, so slightly taller walls won't hurt you.
As for stability, a balanced system is inherently stable in any AP park position. Moving around the scope/mount/CW shaft is much easier in Park 2 or Park 3. This is an especially important consideration if the square footage of the floorplan is also being minimized, Running into a horizontal CW shaft can be a real headache - literally! Bumping the scope is also never a good thing, and if you park in P1, P4 or P5 in a tight observatory, you WILL bump the system at some time. Consider Park 2 as a good compromise position. It isn't too much taller than P1, P4 or P5. And again, allow yourself a bit of cushion. |
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Don,
When I purchased the original pair of lifting columns from Linak, I was over the engineering department of the local public works department in New Orleans and we did a lot of custom fabrications for all of our facilities. As such, I was able to have them sell me two 1000 Newton columns and the associated controls. Since I was already an established customer, I was able to get an upgraded set of 2500 Newton columns and associated controls last year.
I do not think Linak sells to the general public.
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 11:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 park position question
Jack Did Linak sell direct to you?
Don Anderson
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 09:36:40 p.m. MDT, Jack Huerkamp <mallincamusa@...> wrote:
Christopher,
The company is Linak out of Kentucky and the columns I used were the DL2 2500 Newton rated. My original ones were rated at 1000 Newtons each when used with a non AP mount. With the AP1600 and 150# of equipment on the dual column setup, I changed to the 2500 Newton thrust each – 5000 Newton total thrust.
DL2: Robust lifting column for desks, workstations and kitchens (linak-us.com)
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Christopher Erickson
Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier.
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 9:27 AM Worsel via groups.io <bryancashion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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Thanks for the info Jack. I suspected as much. I checked ebay and they don't show and DL2s right now. I will have to keep my eyes open for one. Don Anderson
On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 07:51:02 a.m. MDT, Jack Huerkamp <mallincamusa@...> wrote:
Don,
When I purchased the original pair of lifting columns from Linak, I was over the engineering department of the local public works department in New Orleans and we did a lot of custom fabrications for all of our facilities. As such, I was able to have them sell me two 1000 Newton columns and the associated controls. Since I was already an established customer, I was able to get an upgraded set of 2500 Newton columns and associated controls last year.
I do not think Linak sells to the general public.
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Don Anderson via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 11:47 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 park position question
Jack Did Linak sell direct to you?
Don Anderson
On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 09:36:40 p.m. MDT, Jack Huerkamp <mallincamusa@...> wrote:
Christopher,
The company is Linak out of Kentucky and the columns I used were the DL2 2500 Newton rated. My original ones were rated at 1000 Newtons each when used with a non AP mount. With the AP1600 and 150# of equipment on the dual column setup, I changed to the 2500 Newton thrust each – 5000 Newton total thrust.
DL2: Robust lifting column for desks, workstations and kitchens (linak-us.com)
Yours truly,
Jack
Jack Huerkamp Jack's Astro Accessories, LLC 38388 Pine Street Pearl River, LA 70452-5192 985-445-5063 30.37N 89.76W
All of us get lost in the darkness. ………………………………….Neil Peart
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Christopher Erickson
Lymax columns. A lot cheaper to buy Lymax off of Ebay or wherever and make your own telescoping pier.
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 9:27 AM Worsel via groups.io <bryancashion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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I believe if you ask them, Linak will give you a list of their distributors.
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