Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksExport to PDFFold/unfold allBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== EQ8-R PRO ====== Here you will find our illustrated manual for the setup and operation of the EQ8-R PRO from Sky-Watcher. The EQ-8 is a rugged computerized German equatorial mount. The big advantage is the internal cable routing with hub for USB and power supply. <WRAP group> <WRAP half column> ==== Properties ==== |< 100% - >| ^ Model | EQ8-R PRO | ^ Manufacturer | Sky-Watcher | ^ Type | german-paralactic | ^ Maximum payload | 50 kg | ^ Control speeds (-fold) | 0.125; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 1 | ^ Tracking speeds | solar, lunar, sideral | ^ Polar altitude adjustment | 10° - 65° | ^ Weight of the mount | 25.8 kg | ^ Type of motors | stepper motors | ^ PEC correction | yes | </WRAP> <WRAP half column> ==== Individual parts ==== The mount consists of the following parts: * solid tripod * the mount itself * counterweight rod * counterweights * small transparent box containing parts such as * hexagonal wrench * cables * hand control * transport case, which is normally used to store the mount (the lid cannot be closed when the pole height is set) </WRAP> </WRAP> ===== Structure ===== |< 100% 1% 30% 40% 25% >| ^ Step ^ Description ^ Parts needed ^ Telescope after the corresponding step | ^ 1 | First, the three feet for the tripod must be placed as shown in the picture to the right. The tip of the "foot triangle" must face north. The feet are used to dampen vibration and level the mount. | 3 feet | {{ost:eq8:eq8_1.jpg?300}} | ^ 2 | Next, the tripod is placed on the prepared feet. | Tripod | {{ost:eq8:eq8_2.jpg?300}} | ^ 3 | The third step is to place the actual mount on the tripod. | mount | {{ost:eq8:eq8_3.jpg?300}} | ^ 4 | In this and the next two steps, the tripod and the mount are firmly connected to each other. To do this, first lightly screw in 2 hex screws on both sides of the mount and tripod. | 2 hex screws | {{ost:eq8:eq8_4.jpg?300}} | ^ 5 | The green wheel on the side of the tripod's center bolt must then be screwed into the base of the mount. If you look under the polar cradle of the mount, you can also see how the tripod bolt is screwed into the mount. | | {{ost:eq8:eq8_5.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_6.jpg?300}} | ^ 6 | Now the hexagonal screws can be tightened. | | {{ost:eq8:eq8_7.jpg?300}} | ^ 7 | Next, the counterweight rod can be screwed in | Counterweight rod {{ost:eq8:eq8_8_part.jpg?400}} | {{ost:eq8:eq8_8.jpg?300}} | ^ 8 | The counterweights can then be attached. | Counterweights | {{ost:eq8:eq8_9.jpg?300}} | ^ 9 | Now the telescope can be mounted. In our case this is our APO. The Losmandy prism rail of the telescope has to be inserted into the clamp of the mount and then fixed with the 3 green screws. | Clamp on the telescope {{ost:eq8:eq8_10_part_clamp.jpg?400}} Telescope (APO) {{ost:eq8:eq8_10_part_apo.jpg?400}} | | ^ 10 | Now the cover can be removed from the telescope, in this case the APO. | Cover the telescope {{ost:eq8:eq8_11_part.jpg?400}} | {{ost:eq8:eq8_11.jpg?300}} | ^ 11 | Now the instrument can be mounted. Here we use the Herschel wedge together with a 2" eyepiece | Herschel wedge {{ost:herschel_prism:apo_herschel_prism_mark_ii.jpg?400}} Eyepiece {{ost:okular.jpg?400}} | {{ost:eq8:eq8_12_I.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_12_II.jpg?300}} | ^ 12 | The mount and telescope combination can then be balanced. To do this, first loosen the locking lever of the right ascension axis (marked in the photos on the left). The telescope should then be able to rotate freely around the right ascension axis. Now move the counterweights on the counterweight rod to balance the system. Repeat the procedure for the declination axis, except that the telescope is moved forward or backward instead of the counterweights. To do this, loosen the three green screws on the clamp and move the telescope. It is best to do this in pairs. | | {{ost:eq8:eq8_13_I.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_13_II.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_13_III.jpg?300}} | ^ 13 | Now connect the handset and the power cord. | Handset and power cord | {{ost:eq8:eq8_14_I.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_14_II.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_14_III.jpg?300}} | ^ 14 | Turn on :-) | | {{ost:eq8:eq8_15.jpg?300}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_apo_herschel_prism.jpg?300}} | ===== Operation ===== ==== Start-up ==== The EQ8-R PRO can be easily turned on and off using the on/off switch. Unlike the OST, there is no need to wait for the mount to shut down. After switching on the mount, it is always necessary to perform an alignment first. ==== Alignment ==== The following options are available: 1-Star Align. 2-Star Align. Polar Align. === General procedure === |< 100% 1% 50% 30% >| ^ Step ^ Description ^ Hand control display | ^ 0 | After confirming the On/Off switch, the manual control unit is initialized. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_1.jpg?400}} | ^ 1 | After starting, the mount must be moved to the home position, which is confirmed by pressing **key 1**. After switching on, the mount will search for this position and move back and forth a few times. The display will show ''Home Position Established''. Confirm this by pressing **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_2.jpg?400}} | ^ 2 | Next, you can set any offset for the declination axis. We do not need this and confirm with **key 2**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_3.jpg?400}} | ^ 3 | A warning will be displayed that you should not look at the sun without a proper sun filter. Confirm this by pressing **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_4.jpg?400}} | ^ 4 | Now you have to enter the latitude and longitude. These should be saved from previous sessions, so you only need to confirm them with **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_5.jpg?400}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_6.jpg?400}} | ^ 5 | Next you have to set the timezone. Confirming with **Enter** is usually sufficient here as well, since the hand control saves this value. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_7.jpg?400}} | ^ 6 | The height above sea level must then be set. The same applies as for the previous two steps. Normally a confirmation with **Enter** is sufficient. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_8.jpg?400}} | ^ 7 | Next, set the current date and confirm with **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_9.jpg?400}} | ^ 8 | The current time follows. It is recommended to set a time a few seconds in the future and wait with **Enter** until the set time is reached. This gives more accurate results. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_10.jpg?400}} | ^ 9 | The next step is to select whether Daylight Saving Time applies or not. The selection is made with the arrow buttons at the bottom left and right. Confirm with **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_11.jpg?400}} | ^ 10 | The display will then show the position angle of Polaris, which can also be confirmed with **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_12.jpg?400}} | ^ 11 | In the last step of the preparations you have to choose whether you want to start the alignment or not. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_13.jpg?400}} | === Solar observations === |< 100% 1% 50% 30% >| ^ Step ^ Description ^ Hand control display | ^ 1 | The first thing to do is to select the ''Object List'' from the menu. This can also be done by pressing **key 8**, which is a shortcut to this menu. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_0.jpg?400}} {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_1.jpg?400}} | ^ 2 | Use the **arrow keys** at the bottom left and right of the pad to select the sun. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_2.jpg?400}} | ^ 3 | You will be warned again not to look at the sun without a filter. Confirm this again by pressing **Enter**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_3.jpg?400}} | ^ 4 | Next the current coordinates of the sun are displayed. We confirm this with **ENTER**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_4.jpg?400}} | ^ 5 | In the last step, confirm once more with **ENTER** that you really want to travel to the sun. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_5.jpg?400}} | ^ 6 | The mount then positions the telescope toward the sun. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_6.jpg?400}} | ^ 7 | If the mount is well aligned, you will see an image of the Sun on the heat shield of the Herschel wedge. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_7.jpg?400}} | ^ 8 | To finally center the sun in the eyepiece, it may be helpful to reduce the speed of movement. To do this, click on **key 2**. The speed can then be selected with the **number keys** and confirmed with **ENTER**. | {{ost:eq8:eq8_alignment_sun_8.jpg?400}} | === Two Star Alignment === Still to come... === Polar Alignment === Still to come... ==== Hibernation ==== Still to come if there is one... ;-) ==== Troubleshooting ==== Known error sources and their solutions can be found [[en:ost:telescope:probleme#c11_und_cge-pro_montierung|here]]. ==== Further documentation ==== More details about the mount and the telescope itself can be found in the corresponding manual in the practical room. en/ost/telescope/eq8.txt Last modified: 2024/04/12 07:48by rhainich