User manual ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS 07825

[. . . ] This insures accurate tracking of both solar system and deep-sky objects, and allows for correction of any inherent deviation in the motor from the sidereal rate. The AccuTrack provides sufficiently accurate tracking for piggyback and planetary (eyepiece-projection) astrophotography, though it is not recommended for prime-focus, long-exposure photography. Figure 3 Installing the AccuTrack on the Equatorial Mount The AccuTrack motor assembly can be mounted on either end of the right ascension (R. A. ) worm gear shaft. We recommend mounting it on the left side as viewed from the front of the telescope, as shown in Figure 4. This puts the motor on the opposite side of the mount from the eyepiece of the SkyView Deluxe Newtonian telescopes, where it will be out of the way, and still allows easy access to the R. A. [. . . ] axis at Polaris, the North Star, in the constellation Ursa Minor. An eyeballed approximation is all that's necessary. axis from behind it while adjusting the latitude adjustment on the tripod and repositioning the tripod itself, until the polar axis is pointed toward Polaris. For observers in the Southern Hemisphere, align on the star Sigma Octantis in the constellation Octans. Using the Manual Slow-Motion Control The telescope's manual slow-motion control on the R. A. axis can be operated even when the AccuTrack is installed and turned on. The slow-motion cable should be attached to the free end of the worm gear shaft; that is, opposite the AccuTrack (Figure 4). Before rotating the slow-motion cable manually, however, you must first disengage the motor drive from the R. A. You must do this whether the power switch is on or off. Disengage the drive by loosening the coupling thumbscrew two full turns. The worm gear should then rotate freely when you rotate the slow-motion control (and the coupling should remain motionless). If you feel it "catch, " loosen the coupling thumbscrew some more until the rotation of the slowmotion cable is unhindered. To re-engage the motor drive, tighten the thumbscrew on the coupling. Note, however, that to prevent slipping of the coupling on the worm gear shaft, the coupling thumbscrew should lock into the recessed slot on the shaft. You may have to rotate the slow-motion control until the slot lines up with the thumbscrew. (Although you cannot see the slot when the coupling is over the shaft, the slot on the opposite end of the shaft can be used for reference; the two slots are parallel. ) Then tighten the thumbscrew. Setting the Directional Switch Before turning the power switch on, observers in the Northern Hemisphere should make sure the directional switch is set to N; Southern Hemisphere observers should set it to S. Note: If you have chosen to mount the motor on the right side of the R. A. worm gear (as viewed from the front of the telescope), then the direction switch should be reversed from above (i. e. , S for Northern Hemisphere and N for Southern Hemisphere). Battery Life A 9-volt alkaline battery provides about 35 hours of operation. When the battery dies, the motor will slow noticeably and the LED power indicator light will dim. When this occurs, remove the old battery and install a new 9-volt battery. Powering Up To begin tracking, slide the power switch to ON. The red LED power light should illuminate. If it does not, check the connection between the battery and the wires leading to the motor. Adjusting the Tracking Speed The AccuTrack is equipped with adjustable speed control. Turning the speed control knob clockwise increases the motor speed, counterclockwise slows it. Troubleshooting If, when the AccuTrack is turned on, the telescope does not move or is intermittent in its tracking, there are several possible causes. 3 1. The motor provides only limited torque, so if the telescope is not balanced on both the right ascension and declination axes, the imbalance may put stress on the motor and inhibit the smooth movement of the telescope. [. . . ] slow-motion control with the AccuTrack's coupling thumbscrew disengaged. Much less torque should be needed now; the slow-motion control should be easier to rotate. If this is not the case, repeat the adjustments detailed above until the required torque is deemed acceptable. Hex-head mounting bolts (also shown in Figure 5) Hexagonal retaining bushings Recessed setscrews Figure 7 One-Year Limited Warranty This Orion AccuTrack SVD DC Motor Drive is warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only. [. . . ]