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DRIVE SYSTEMS

SUMMARY OF DRIVE SYSTEMS for TELESCOPES
We have a range of products to suit driving various motor types that can be fitted to new, old, heritage or home made mounts. We can supply slow motion sets and motors if these are not already fitted. Please ask us if we have something you would like but does not appear to fit with our prodcut line. We do customise to suit you!

Examples of PREVIOUS DRIVE SYSTEMS supplied.
Normal Drives for COMMERCIAL MOUNTS .
GOTO Drives for all types of MOUNTS.
Motor drawings, Motor Brackets, Pictures and Prices
Rugged CAMERA PLATFORMS for PAN-TILT with COMPUTER CONTROL
Special DRIVE products are outlined in this link

Drive systems can be supplied to drive SYNCHRONOUS, STEPPER or DC motors. They are built to order so will be configured to your requirements with sidereal speeds to match your slow motion rates required.

Please read this article of the advantages and disadvantages of each motor type.

SYSTEM 3 AN INVERTER AND QUARTZ OSCILLATOR FOR SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

A drive system for synchronous motor. As SYSTEM 1 but sidereal rate RA frequency provided by crystal oscillator as well. Supplied with a handset of type HC20 fitted with Sidereal/VFO switch and the VFO control. Maximum speed adjust range is +/-20%. Options include DEC axis controls (for stepper, synchronous or DC motor) and ST4 Autoguider input for remote control. The handset supplied is a HC20 model (See below).
FURTHER INFORMATION
PRICES

SYSTEM 5 A STANDARD STEPPER MOTOR DRIVE

A high performance dual axis drive system for standard stepper motors. Supplied complete with a handset. Handset includes switched guiding adjustments of 30% 2x and 50x, VFO knob (+/-5%). Options include ST4 standard autoguiding input. High speed slews achieved with acceleration of the motor speed to the max rate (50x if not limited by the system parameters). Bi- level drive voltage ensures economy of supply current for normal use. Two main versions:
(1) Handset and drive box ref SYSTEM5
(2) Handset including drive board for VIXEN MT-1 MOTORS systems ref SYS5/VIX.
FURTHER INFORMATION
FULL SIZE HANDSET PICTURE (of size 33k)
PRICES

MICROSTEP DRIVE (USTEP) (use with GOTO and NON-GOTO systems)

A high performance dual axis drive system for microstepping stepper motors. System performance matched to mount and motors selected.
A simple handset with switched speed adjust range 30%, 2x and SLEW.
Smooth acceleration between all drive speeds.
Fully programmable to match telescope characteristics for retro-fitting.
Motors can be directly connected to slow motion axis sometimes with no gearbox.
Designed for operation with the INTELLIGENT HANDSET (makes it GOTO - see below).
Has an autoguider input socket as standard.
This is normally a 12 Volt system but much increased slew rate is available at 24 volt or even higher. Suitable motors are up to 2 amp per phase without huge extra cost.
Can be run with the SIMPLE HANDSET for NON-GOTO SYSTEM.
An alternative ADVANCED MICROSTEP DRIVEBOX provides 3 relay outputs and other features.
FURTHER SYSTEM INFORMATION
PRICES

UNIVERSAL DRIVE FREQUENCY GENERATOR (FRGEN) (use with GOTO systems)

A UNIVERSAL dual axis drive system to provide STEP and DIRECTION for two axes compatible with COMPUMOTOR OEM750 and other similar drive units. Thus it can be used with LEGACY DRIVE SYSTEMS, an easy way to add modern GOTO performance.
Slowest speed 1 step every 25 seconds, fastest speed 36,000 steps per second.
A simple handset with switched speed adjust range 30%, 2x and SLEW.
Smooth acceleration between all drive speeds.
Fully programmable to match telescope characteristics for retro-fitting.
Designed for operation with the INTELLIGENT HANDSET (makes it GOTO - see below).
Has an autoguider input socket as standard.
This is a 12 volt system.
Can be run with the SIMPLE HANDSET for NON-GOTO SYSTEM.
An alternative ADVANCED FRGEN DRIVEBOX provides 3 relay outputs and other features.

FURTHER SYSTEM INFORMATION
PRICES

INTELLIGENT HANDSET

A high performance handset providing GOTO capability when connected to the USTEP or FRGEN drive boxes. It offers direct RA and DEC (or ALT-AZ) coordinate readout. Time and Sidereal time. GOTO facility. Drive rates adjustable to 0.005 arc second per second in both axes allowing guiding on Comets, planets or the Moon. Fully programmable to retrofit to any telescope with slow motions. It has a serial port for computer connections and operates with LX200 emulation. 4 line display, comprehensive menus with easy navigation and USER SUPPORT!
FURTHER SYSTEM INFORMATION
PRICES

HC20 HANDSET

A basic handset to provide frequencies for corrections to the telescope position. RA axis has FAST/SLOW buttons with options for VFO knob and a FINE/COARSE switch when stepper motors are connected. Optional DEC axis with UP/DOWN buttons. This is needed for SYSTEMS 1, 2, 3, 4.
FURTHER INFORMATION
PRICES

HEAVY DUTY CAMERA PAN-TILT COMPUTER CONTROL

Using the EQ5 mount (tripod including equatorial head) a very rugged camera platform is the result. The equatorial head can be adjusted to tilt right over so the two axes are horizontal and vertical, ie pan and tilt operation. The microstep drive system (two motors and a standard microstep drivebox) is connected to a computer by a serial lead (RS232 but non standard cabling) and then programming allows precise positioning and movements. The programmable aspects are DRIVE RATES and TIME for moving in that direction. Rates can be set to one revolution in about 10 days to one revolution in 3 minutes.
PRECISION computer controlled package
EQ5 drive systems kit
MICROSTEP further information

Small Telescope or Camera PAN-TILT COMPUTER CONTROL
This design is based on the VIXEN PORTA mount. We have firmware versions to operate the system for terrestrial use or astronomical use. A new product line-up for 2007.
PAN-TILT Product line-up.
FOR ASTRONOMERS

NOTES FOR WHOLE PRODUCT RANGE

All handsets are normally fixed to the drivebox with lead length of 2 metres.
All DRIVEBOXES are built into a rugged Aluminium heat-sink type box.
VFO's are all +/- 5% of Sidereal rate adjustable by handset knob.
FINE guiding adjustments are limited to +/- 20% for synchronous motors and +/- 30% for stepper motor systems.
All stepper motors have in-line connectors fitted. See the MOTOR DRAWINGS.
All synchronous motors have a safe socket on the drive box.
SYSTEM 1 and 3 have motor sockets on the drive box.
SYSTEM 5 has motor connectors in-line.
CRYSTAL frequency for RA will normally be supplied for the KING rate (refraction corrected Sidereal rate).
RA SIDEREAL drive rate determined by telescope reduction ratio, gearbox attached to the motor and torque required for the telescope. Stepper motors are driven at least 10 steps per second.
Synchronous motor drive is provided by an inverter giving quasi sine wave of equivalent 240V rms or 110V rms output, frequencies within the range 42Hz to 80Hz with a power up to 8 Watts.
DC motor output can be provided for small motors up to 0.5Amp with a variable output voltage of 3 to 12 Volts. DC output by Japanese 3.5mm jack socket. This can be facory configured for DC DEC drive or FOCUS motor.

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