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Due to work and travel, I only got back to debugging this recently.? I sent in my new ServoCAT unit to Bill and he ended up having to replace the mainboard (he did this under warranty, which I really appreciate).

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I also tried replacing the lithium battery in the Argo Navis, but the display still doesn't come on.? I've tried both with batteries and with two different 12v external power supplies.? Anyone know where I can get someone to take a look at the unit to see if it can be repaired?? I've tried contacting Wildcard Innovations, but haven't been successful,

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Cheers,

- Rajeev

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The description is how to use the system and how to change the settings for optimal use. It is not a detailed technical description.?

Its not a perfect system! It is afterall a retrofittable kit on an EXISTING telescope! Yes it can vary. If you want to always optimize you can figure out what counterweight is needed for each eyepiece. I use a digital luggage scale to measure the force needed to move the scope up or down at various positions.?

And one more thing. You can load the telescope with a heavy eyepiece with paracorr ~1.5 kg, or with a light plossl. The backlash will be different.

This is easy to check. Put rubber pucks as feet on a balanced large telescope. And it will react differently depending on the height.

Actually the ServoCAT instructions do say to balance the ALT axis. If this is done the force is basically the same.?

Here we have another conclusion. The weight that the telescope lifts from the horizon will be greater than when it is near the zenith. Therefore, the play in the cable will be different, and it cannot be compensated for by only one value.

Ok.

Youngs Modulus changes by 5% from -10°C to +25.... more than likely there were other things that were changing due to temperature.?

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g.

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Hello.... would you mind please passing along the name? Thanks.?

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So - indeed the spring will introduce some backlash. Ideally, if it is the proper spring tension (extension), it will be minimal but this relies heavily on how much static friction the axis presents. If very low then the lash will be near zero. I designed it this way for two simple reasons - because a) to get Obsession to agree to install the product on their new scopes (we're talking late 2002 now) the system HAD TO BE retrofittable onto existing telescopes. It could not be a 'custom' design and b) because the end user had to install the system I had to have some small amount of compliance adjustment for the cable drive. Getting the end user to make the perfect length cable would have been impossible. Ideally if low friction one doesn't need the spring - but the (opposite/free) end of the shaft of the roller should then be held to take up the tension caused by 'full tension' in the cable. So it works - and works well as a retrofit.?

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Gary Myers

StellarCAT

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Go for it, gentlemen.

Yes. The ServoCAT can handle up to 16V without a problem.?

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Gary Myers

Thanks Frederic. I don’t use NINA and instead use sharpcap for EAA so wonder if it is detected by sharpcap via ASCOM device hub.?

Mike

And one more thing. It works perfectly on Az, and you understand that the result was worth such a big investment of time. As for money, in China the prices are relatively reasonable. For two gearboxes a little more than a hundred dollars.

Alas, you have to think with your own head, and not rely on the manual. The main source of backlash on Alt is a cable on a spring. Therefore, such a design in principle cannot be made without play. Yesterday I thought that I was at the finish line, today the stars showed that I was halfway there. I need rubber rollers for Alt bearings, two belts, etc. My apologies... Once again, mechanics do not forgive mistakes.

Hi Mike, everything is standard: the wanderer software as well as the USB driver (you need both). Once installed and configured the first time (wanderer empire and usb driver with com port) NINA "sees" wanderer empire that most probably presents the ASCOM driver to NINA. You can choose between unlimited, 360 or 180° rotation limits (according to your physical or cabling limit) and you might have to trial to discover the right direction for rotation (and invert it if necessary) but that's all. It is very precise, and I configured it to 0.1° for framing. You can also configure an automatic derotation as NINA is transmitting the position of the scope to wanderer empire and I plan to use it if I can reach focus on my UC22.? I tested the focus position when rotating and I didn't notice any visible change (with a Bathinov mask) and I tested the tilt with the tool and didn't notice any variation either. In fact you can not feel any mechanical backlash when you try to move the rotating side of the focuser by hand. If there is some backlash it will be in the gear system when you reverse the direction but the holding system is magnetic. For now I am very satisfied with the rotator and it is thin with 10 mm only.

CS Frédéric

Thanks Frederic. I looked at the Wanderer last year when it was still pretty new and I remember someone on cloudy nights indicating that the ASCOM drivers were not working correctly. Are you using ASCOM drivers? Or alternatively, does it come with its own software?