AstroTrac 360 Manual de usuario
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User Guide
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Introduction
Congratulations on your AstroTrac 360 purchase! You are
now the owner of the most portable high performance
telescope mount available.
Your AstroTrac 360 breaks new ground by incorporating
high precision miniature encoders at a cost far lower than
previously possible with larger, heavier precision encoders.
Integrated on-axis encoders enable highly accurate
tracking and pointing. The encoders maintain accurate
position even when the clutches are opened and the
telescope moved by hand.
The patent pending modular design of the AstroTrac 360
system minimises travel weight. You can configure it as a
single axis Tracker or a two axis Single Arm or German
Equatorial mount to suit your imaging needs.
Each AstroTrac 360 Drive has built in WiFi, and a web
server which sends the device independent control
interface to a web browser running on your favourite WiFi
enabled device. The control interface features a virtual
handpad for slewing your AstroTrac 360, access to settings
and updating of the firmware and user interface.
If you prefer not to use a computer under the night sky,
your AstroTrac 360 also works in standalone mode, using
the previously saved tracking and autoguiding settings on
power up.
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360 Drive Overview
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2x Dovetail Rail
Stop Screws
ST-4 Guide
Port
12 V DC
Jack Socket
(centre +ve)
Dec Link
Encoder
Status Led
Clutch Lever (shown in closed position)
Dovetail Rail
Chassis
Wheel
Wheel Guard
3x Electronic
Polarfinder
Mounting
2x Counterweight
Bar Mounts
3x Polar Scope
Adjusters Polar Scope
Slot
Tracking
Status Led
General
Status Led
GEM Configuration
Dec Drive Interface
and Location Dowel
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Configuring your AstroTrac 360
Focal Length
(mm)
Recommended
Configuration
Instrument
Mounting Method Autoguiding Counterweights
< 200 Tracker
First OmniClamp mounted to Drive
Dovetail Rails.
Single Camera: ballhead mounted to first
OmniClamp.
Two cameras: second OmniClamp
mounted back to back with first. Two
ballheads and cameras mounted on
Vixen Dovetail Bar.
RA only None
200 - 400 Single Arm
OmniClamp mounted to Dec Drive
Wheel. Camera lens foot mounted to
Vixen Dovetail Bar.
RA & Dec None
> 400 German Equatorial
OmniClamp mounted to Dec Drive
Wheel. Telescope mounted to Vixen
Dovetail Bar.
RA & Dec Required
When using your AstroTrac 360 for the first time, you may find the below table useful as a starting point for choosing an
AstroTrac 360 configuration suitable for your camera and lens/telescope:
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360 Edition Wedge
Overview
Your 360 Edition Wedge provides a rigid mounting for your
AstroTrac 360, with fine adjustment for accurate polar
alignment. Your Wedge covers the full 90 degree latitude
range from pole to equator.
Mounting to your tripod
You can mount your Wedge on a photo tripod standard
3/8”-16 UNC camera thread.
Mounting to your pier
If you already own an AstroTrac TP3065 Pier you can
securely mount your Wedge to it using 3x M8x8 mm
socket countersunk screws.
Attaching your 360 Drive to your Wedge
Your AstroTrac 360 RA drive attaches to your Wedge with
three M4x12 mm socket head cap screws. Alternatively,
you can use the 360 Quick Release Kit which is available
separately.
360 Drive Mounting
Plate
Latitude
Fine Adjust
Knob
Latitude
Lock
Lever
2x Front
Azimuth
Lock Knobs
Rear Azimuth
Lock Knob
2x Azimuth
Fine Adjust
Knobs
Latitude
Scale
Latitude Coarse
Adjust Set
Screw and
bubble level this
side
Base
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360 Edition Wedge
Levelling
Polar alignment is made easier by leveling the Wedge with
the built in Bubble Level. Adjust the tripod leg lengths until
the bubble is centered in the Bubble Level circle when
viewed from directly above.
Aligning North
You can align your Wedge due north by sighting through
the polar scope at night or by using a compass during the
day. Rough alignment can be achieved by rotating your
tripod.
To fine tune alignment, gently undo the two Front and the
Rear Azimuth Lock Knobs a fraction of a turn until your
Wedge can be rotated by turning the 2x Azimuth Fine
Adjustment Knobs in opposite directions to each other. It is
advisable to keep the Front & Rear Azimuth Lock Knobs
slightly done up at all times to prevent wobble.
Bubble Level
Rear Azimuth
Lock Knob
2x Azimuth
Fine Adjust
Knobs
2x Front
Azimuth
Lock
Knobs
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360 Edition Wedge
Setting your Latitude
1. Release the Latitude Lock Lever
2. Locate and loosen the Latitude Coarse Adjust Set
Screw (accessible through hole in side plate)
3. Rotate the 360 Drive Mounting Plate until the
Latitude Scale pointer is indicating your latitude:
4. Gently tighten the Latitude Coarse Adjust Set Screw
until resistance is felt. Be careful not to overtighten or
you may damage the thread.
5. Make fine adjustments in latitude using the Latitude
Fine Adjust Knob. Gently tighten the Latitude Lock
Lever when you are finished.
Latitude
Lock Lever
Latitude
Scale
pointer
360 Drive
Mounting
Plate
Latitude
Scale
Latitude Coarse
Adjust Set Screw
Latitude
Fine Adjust
Knob
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360 Edition Wedge
Attaching your AstroTrac 360 RA drive
A. With the supplied 3x M4 mm screws
Use the 3x M4 mm socket head cap screws and hex
wrench to attach your AstroTrac 360 RA drive to the 360
Drive Mounting Plate.
(hint: adjusting the Wedge latitude to the equator zero
degrees latitude position before inserting the screws gives
better access)
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3x M4x12 mm socket
head cap screws
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360 Edition Wedge
Attaching your AstroTrac 360 RA drive
B. With the optional Wedge Quick Release Kit
1. Remove the 4x M4x12 mm hexagon socket head
screws securing the 360 Drive Mounting Plate.
2. Attach the Quick Release Kit Dovetail Plate with 4x
M6x16 mm hexagon socket countersunk screws.
3. Locate the 2x M4x12 mm hexagon socket head Stop
Screws to prevent the OmniClamp sliding off the
Dovetail.
4. Attach the OmniClamp to the 360 Drive Wheel with
4x M5x10 mm hexagon socket countersunk screws.
5. Slide the OmniClamp onto the Quick Release Kit
Dovetail Plate until it contacts the 2x M4 Stop
Screws.
6. Tighten the OmniClamp Lock Knob. Insert the hex
key through the OmniClamp Lock Knob through hole
to provide more leverage and tighten firmly.
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2x M4x12 mm
stop screws
4x M5x10 mm
screws
Dovetail Plate
2x M4x12 mm
Stop Screws
OmniClamp
Lock Knob
Hex
key
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Tracker Configuration
1. Mount your AstroTrac 360 Drive on your Wedge with
the Chassis vertical (to reduce risk of gear falling off!)
2. Release the OmniClamp Lock Knob and slide your
OmniClamp onto the Dovetail Rails.
3. Screw your ball head firmly onto the ⅜-16
OmniClamp stud.
4. Open the RA Drive Clutch and rotate the RA Drive so
it’s horizontal. Balance your camera and lens by
sliding the OmniClamp along the Dovetail Rails. Use
a hex key through the cross bore in the OmniClamp
Lock Knob to ensure the OmniClamp can’t slide off.
5. Follow the polar alignment procedure as described in
the Polar Alignment section.
6. By mounting a second OmniClamp back to back with
the first OmniClamp, it is possible to use a Vixen
dovetail bar to mount two or more ballheads and
cameras.
Dovetail Rails
OmniClamp
Lock knob
⅜-16 stud
RA Drive
horizontal for
RA balancing
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