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Re: G11 cable management
I have had some success using automotive wire protectors for enclosing the cables on my GM-8. They are split down the side and a 3/4" tube can enclose five or six usb, power or video cables. I have posted a picture of my setup in 'Avalon Observatory'. The virtue of these protector sheaths is that they are stiff enough to stand off the mount so don't get tangles in the same way a more flexible bundle might. One end is fixed to the pier surround and it wraps around the mount before being brought out to the equipment. Originally I used cable ties but am now using long velcro strips. I no longer use the aluminum rod shown in the picture -- it tended to collide with the DEC motor... it was sufficient to velcro things to the focuser extension to avoid dragging on the camera.
greg latiak avalon observatory |
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Re: G11 cable management
Hi!
I uploaded 3 photos of the box in the same folder, called powerbox_1, 2 and 3. You see the connections on one side, going out (cables in some) and one Anderson Powerpole on the other side, taking 12 V from the AC-DC-converter. The Raspberry sits on top. Inside, the bit white connectors are where the current is split to all the outlets. The 12 V goes straight through. The 7.6 V goes through the thing in the middle, with the heat sinks. And the 5 V comes out of the black box (literally - it can not be opened :)). You find these easily on Ebay. Magnus |
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Re: G11 cable management
Hi!
I use a AC-DC converter to transform the 220 V AC we have here, to 12 V DC. This 12 V then goes into my power box. I have 4 anderson power pole outlets, to which this 12 V is just passed on. Then I have 2 microphone outlets (different so I will not mix them up in the darkness) connected to a small device (don't know the english name) that takes in 12 V and lets out something else that I can adjust - bought on Ebay for a few dollars at most. I set it to put out 7.6 V, which is what the Canon DSLR takes. Then there is a 12 V -> 5 V transformer, also from Ebay, very cheap, giving me 2 outlets of 5 V for the USB hub and the Raspberry Pi, that sits on top of the small box, controlling the mount and scope and everything. It took me an hour perhaps to design the box, choose a plastic box and decide on the outlets, Then half an hour to find the things on Ebay, then a month for them to come from China, then an hour to solder it all together. Cost almost nothing. Works like a charm. What I really wanted, was a was to have a consistent setup independent on power source (AC or car battery). Does it make sense? Magnus |
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Re: G11 cable management
Hi Chip,
I went to the Losmandy site and saw the G11RA-AXIS ($995) and it looked like that was what was needed to get a tucked motor onto my mount.? From your description, it sounds like that is not the part I need. However Chip, if the unit needs to be shipped to Scott (could exceed $300) for the upgrades and your price was $950 including the RAEXK, the final price does actually sound pretty close to I was talking about.? I'll contact Losmandy directly to ask about the upgrade.? Thank you. Dale |
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Re: G11 cable management
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHoly Cow! ? Wow.. ? Derek ? From: Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@...]
Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2017 1:28 AM To: Losmandy_users@... Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: G11 cable management ? ? Hi! |
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Re: High precison worm vs OPW-11?
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýMagnus,? No problems. Three days ago officially became a senior citizen and noticed what comes along with age.? ?:-) Don? Verizon Wireless 4G LTE -------- Original message -------- From: "jfev5mnsvqiyzpq756wvokt55jve7sbg2esr5mip@... [Losmandy_users]" <Losmandy_users@...> Date: 12/02/2017 8:10 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Losmandy_users@... Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users] High precison worm vs OPW-11? Hi! Great thanks. Yes, you probably did... I'm prone to loose myself somewhat in this discussion group format... Best, Magnus |
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Re: High precison worm vs OPW-11?
Magnus,
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Yes. Thought I already answered that. The brass worm was available before the OPW. Don ----- Original Message -----
From: "jfev5mnsvqiyzpq756wvokt55jve7sbg2esr5mip@... [Losmandy_users]" <Losmandy_users@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2017 2:38 AM Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users] High precison worm vs OPW-11? Hi guys! |
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Re: High precison worm vs OPW-11?
Chip,
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I'm running the Sidereal Technologies Servo System on my mount. Have made many improvements to my 1995 mount. Using belt drive with tucked under motors and have spring loaded the worms for no backlash. I am a home machinist and made all the customs parts needed. Don ----- Original Message -----
From: "chiplouie@... [Losmandy_users]" <Losmandy_users@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2017 3:55 AM Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: High precison worm vs OPW-11? Hi Don, |
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Re: G11 cable management
Hi Dale, I have no idea where you got that pricing for the tucked motor update but it sounds incorrect. I had already installed a full new Gemini 2-mini with HT servomotors and HP-worms on both the RA and DEC axes. When the tucked motor updates first became available I took my G11 to Scott for the update. Scott did the tucked motor update, installed the RAEXK along with a pair of the new OPW blocks and reused my existing very good HP-worms. I know Scott, he personally does all of the update work. The parts and labor were about $950 before sales tax. This was a several months ago so call and ask for current pricing.? Chip |
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Re: G11 cable management
Hi!
I'm note sure I really understand your situation, but the concept of cable management resonates heavily with me. Here is a bunch of pictures of my rig. I run entirely on AC, as it 95% of the time is in my back yard. I have built a small "power box", in the plastic box below the tripod. This can be fed with 12 V DC, that can come either from a AC-DC converter (in the lowest box) or a car battery - connections are Anderson power poles. From this power box, everything else is powered. There is 12 V, 7,6 V, and 5 V outputs, for mount, dew heaters, focuser, USB-hub and DSLR-camera (possibly forgot something). Then ther is the USB-hub, that I placed on the mount, not the OTA (found that easier). There is 4-5 cables running up to the scope, collected in the black "hose". Thing is, the black hose runs up over the mount. I found that important to create both flexibility and to have it as "tight" to the mount as possible. It is loosely connected at places with zip-ties and velcro strips, so it is not too loose. For instance, there is a zip-tie noose around the focuser, so the cable does not hang free there. And yes,there are a few unused cables running to the camera. Was for my 350D that I just exchange for another DSLR. I hope this is useful or gives some ideas. Magnus |
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Re: High precison worm vs OPW-11?
Hi Don,
I think you can get significantly better/lower error rates by switching to the HP-worm and new OPW on the RA axis only. This runs about $275 plus shipping, well worth the money. I say this not because the HP-worm itself is so much better than the old worm (depends on which version worms you have) but because you will save so much time messing with trying to get your standard 2-piece worm setup not only square with each other, on the same axis and under enough bearing preload on the axis of the bearings that you will sing out loud. Of course people will think you are nuts but if they are out there in the dark with you they should not be throwing any stones if you know what I mean.?That's the trick and it is very hard to get just right consistently and your gear mesh will change as temperatures rise and fall. IF you get the gear mesh just right in the daytime when the temps fall as they tend to do your geartrain will slowly get tighter and tighter until the RA is lagging and ultimately stalls. This is very easy to resolve with any of the OPWs, you just loosen the fastener on side of the OPW and give the adjustment screw a nudge and snug the fastener down and you are GTG. This take less than a minute to do. and the bearings will always be perfectly aligned and under the correct preload.? My advice is that Scott know these mounts very well and has had to repair every possible yahoo's "improvements" to his mounts out there. Trust me when I say don't try to polish the worms, there is much better low hanging fruit which cause a lot fewer issues if things go sideways. I mean it's a lot cheaper to buy the HP-worm and new OPW than it is to also have to by a new worm wheel because you over did the polishing job or it wore through the anodizing and the worm chewed through the alloy worm wheel.? Chip |
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Re: G11 cable management
Thank you Brian.? I looked at the Losmandy site for the motor upgrade and almost fainted when I saw it was $1000 plus the RA extension kit for $300!? At that point were almost talking about the money of a Titan or MyT!? Seems like a lot of $$ for a "fix" that should have been included in the first place IMHO.
Does the RigRunner ride above the main scope or on a dovetail bar?? where do you route the 12v cables going to all the gear Brian?? Pictures? Thank you, Dale |
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Re: G11 cable management
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHi DaleThe motor upgrade I think you are referring to is the tucked in motors. Call Losmandy and they can fill you in.? Also FYI I run across to my rigrunner you just need to wire something like a female 12v car adapter and get a 12v AC adapter. I have a rig runner on my scope and run across. Works great Brian On Dec 1, 2017, at 8:05 PM, dalemschultz@... [Losmandy_users] <Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
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G11 cable management
Greetings everyone!
I need some help from the imagers.? I keep running into problems with my power cable bundle clearing the Gemini II Mount Controller, during a meridian flip, with the RA/Dec cables sticking out.? Like most imagers, one of my goals is to be able to leave the system unattended for long periods during imaging.? I use a USB HUB for the data cable at it's centrally located on my ADM dovetail plate that the telescope harness uses.? But Instead of using DC connections for say a RigRunner DC Power Panel, I want to be able use the AC adapter for devices like the HUB, focuser, cameras and the Gemini II, since I usually have access to AC power.? I've come up short trying to figure out the best method to route the adapter cables that I have bundled and loose enough to reach their equipment at the furthest point that might be needed.? Of course the motors sticking out does not help and I've recently heard about possible upgrades. Does anybody have clear pictures or explanations for this routing? ? I would greatly appreciate the education! Many thanks, Dale |
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Re: DEC stalls on new mount
Linda Thomas-Fowler
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýI ran through the procedure on the Losmandy video and it¡¯s working now! It may not be optimal but it is working.Once I looked at the unit in better light it was obvious which two screws were needed to get the motor off. However, the screw that was on the side facing the shaft was, um, a Thanks to everyone who helped! It was very much appreciated. If you are ever in northern Virginia, let me know and a beverage of your choice is on tap!
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