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Suggestion for idiot proofing close-to-mount slews

Anthony Q All Messages By This Member #68999 "Idiot", (me), proofing is the key point here. Take the suggestion for what it is worth. (Brian, if you are reading?) Twice now I had thought I had my limits set well, but because of poor planning and less than well though out changes to my configuration I have had "fender benders" between my scope/camera and pier. Basically I have tracked to past the ideal RA limit point but not hit the pier or mount. The issue has been that when I execute the meridian flip or other goto, the Dec and RA move simultaneously and the change in Dec bumps the equipment into the pier/ mount. If it is possible to make changes to Gemini programming, a 1/2 to 1 second delay between RA and Dec activating on a Goto would prevent idiots like me from crashing their scopes. Or I could do a better job setting my limits... Just a thought if it is reasonable to consider.
Sonny Edmonds #69002 Hi Anthony, I don't recall what mount you have, but I got around Meridian flips when I put the RAEXT on my GM811GHD. I didn't put the RA extension on solely for getting away from meridian flips, I put it on to make the two planes easily separate able. But doing away with Meridian flips was really appealing to me. The first time I tested it I began well East of the Southern Meridian and imaged for 3.6+ hours. (13,000 seconds in 10 second images) (My Infinity camera's software stacks images for me.) But... here's the Caveat, as the mount approached the limits, I discovered I could reset the limit on the fly. I got really close by the end, and decided to stop at the 13,000 second mark. My rectangular Camera is the biggest culprit to a crash hanging off the butt of my scope. Anyway... you might want to look into the RAEXT if it will work for you. ?< Good short video. I'm doing no flips all the time now. -- SonnyE (I suggest viewed in full screen)
Brian Valente Member Profile All Messages By This Member #69004 Yes i'm here :) I made note of the feedback the answer (short term and likely longer term) is you probably need a different approach when setting your limits.? The purpose of limits are to avoid any possibility of pier crash, so if you set limits and you have a pier crash, the limits aren't set properly :) I'm doing a video shortly on this, but the basic idea on limit setting is this: Slew your ra to each side of the pier and get close to where you think the limit should be set (e.g., typically parallel with the ground, plus a little past if your telescope allows) Then loosen the DEC clutch and manually rotate your telescope in DEC back and forth to ensure everything has clearance.? I'm guilty of this too - just slewing RA to each side to where the camera is close, and assuming it will work at all angles. Turns out, that is sometimes a bad assumption I'm thankful (hopeful?) you didn't have a major crash and damage anything, but for sure get those limits set properly. Brian toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Wed, Dec 2, 2020 at 2:25 PM Anthony Q <anthonyquintile4@...> wrote: "Idiot", (me), proofing is the key point here. Take the suggestion for what it is worth. (Brian, if you are reading?) Twice now I had thought I had my limits set well, but because of poor planning and less than well though out changes to my configuration I have had "fender benders" between my scope/camera and pier. Basically I have tracked to past the ideal RA limit point but not hit the pier or mount. The issue has been that when I execute the meridian flip or other goto, the Dec and RA move simultaneously and the change in Dec bumps the equipment into the pier/ mount. If it is possible to make changes to Gemini programming, a 1/2 to 1 second delay between RA and Dec activating on a Goto would prevent idiots like me from crashing their scopes. Or I could do a better job setting my limits... Just a thought if it is reasonable to consider. -- Brian? Brian Valente portfolio
Anthony Q All Messages By This Member #69036 Sonny- I think I have the RA extension, but even my 80mm refractor would bump the pier in certain Decs. Brian I am well aware that this is an issue of my own shortcomings. I do know how to set the limits correctly. The first time I didn't know that my new scope exceeded the limits yet, and the second time I set them and then adjusted balance for a new autofocuser on my 10" Newt, and then forgot to reset. Like I said, for idiot proofing, or at least increasing idiot resistance!
Brian Valente Member Profile All Messages By This Member #69046 I feel you Anthony I am hoping the video series we are working to complete (and will shortly include how to set limits) will help this tremendously.? We try to talk about why things are important, and I'll make note to mention changing telescopes should also merit checking the limits as well toggle quoted message Show quoted text On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 6:04 PM Anthony Q <anthonyquintile4@...> wrote: Sonny- I think I have the RA extension, but even my 80mm refractor would bump the pier in certain Decs. Brian I am well aware that this is an issue of my own shortcomings. I do know how to set the limits correctly. The first time I didn't know that my new scope exceeded the limits yet, and the second time I set them and then adjusted balance for a new autofocuser on my 10" Newt, and then forgot to reset. Like I said, for idiot proofing, or at least increasing idiot resistance! -- Brian? Brian Valente portfolio

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