User's Guide


Orient the platform roughly level and roughly facing north.

Place the telescope's rocker box base on the platform.

Align the platform. Use the leveling feet to align the platform's axis parallel with the Earth's axis. To adjust the leveling feet, unscrew the wing nuts, turn the knobs, then re-tighten the wing nuts. There are two approaches:

  • Laser: Insert the laser pointer into the alignment tube with the button directly on top. Adjust the platform so that the laser points directly at Polaris.

  • Compass and level: Use the 2D spirit level to level the platform, and the compass to aim the axis north. Don't forget to account for magnetic deviation. Then, tilt the platform to adjust for your latitude. Raise (or lower) the rear of the platform by 1° for every degree south (north) of 40°. A smartphone bubble level app works well for this.


Remove the laser and place the telescope on its base.


Engage the drive by unscrewing the engagement knob under the platform. The spring under the motor base will push the drive roller into contact with the platform. The platform should no longer rotate freely.


Reset the platform by depressing the spring-loaded motor base by hand to disengage the drive, then rotate the platform towards the east to the stop.


Connect the power supply. The green LED will illuminate, the display will activate, and the platform will begin tracking.


The platform will rotate through 20°, over a duration of about 80 minutes. After that it will stop and display "Platform Limit". Reset it as above. Then press the speed control knob for three seconds; the computer will reset the rotational position back to zero and restart tracking.


Controls:

  • Joystick - momentary speed adjustment from 4x to 0.25x

  • Rotary knob - persistent speed adjustment in increments of 0.1%

  • Quick press of rotary knob: pause tracking

  • Long press of rotary knob: platform reset

  • Long press of joystick knob: warp mode (10x faster, for demo or testing)


Disengage the drive when not in use by screwing the engagement knob clockwise to depress the spring until the platform rocks freely. This prevents any flat spots from developing on the drive roller.


The power supply should last several hours before recharging. The laser pointer lasts only about 5-10 minutes of continuous use so be sure to recharge it often. (You can use the drive power supply to recharge the laser.)


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