I have recently added the TAKometer setup on to my FSQ-106ED. I have calibrated the system. At the time of calibration I noticed that the "increasing counts" direction on the takometer software control panel required the rotation to be in the clockwise direction (as facing the back of the telescope) when going from 0 to -180 degrees. Regardless, I calibrated. However, once connected to CCDAutopilot3, this turned out to be a problem as CCDAP3 assumes that 0 to -180 is in the CCW direction. I am able to connect fine and rotate the correct angular distance, except it spins in the wrong direction.

Has anyone run across this problem and if so, is there is a way to tell CCDAP3 to assume the opposite rotation. I have emails in to the TAKometer folks also, to see if they have any ideas.

Thanks,
Rom

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rom P.,

Hi Rom,

From the CCDAP help file under the Equipment Setup topic:

quote:

Optec Pyxis: There are setup options. The option should be chosen in which CCW rotation results in increasing position counts or degrees. For the 2" Pyxis, this is normally the Reverse direction and for the 3" Pyxis, this is normally the default direction. See the Pyxis control software help file under PYXISparms.txt for specifics.

John,

I'm confused. I have the Astrodon TAKometer, not the Optec Pyxis.

-Rom

Sorry Rom, my mistake. That was a classic example of "listening with my answer running"

It is possible to have the TAKometer running in the "wrong" direction by a combination of the two buttons on top of the RoboFocus control box. Consult the TAKometer documentation for how to correct that - I don't recall off-hand but did run into that myself during development.

Hi Rom,

There is a section in the help file for the TAKometer. It basically says the same thing -

quote:

Astrodon TAKometer: By design intent, CCW rotation should result in increasing position counts or degrees. If the rotator position is negative, it should get less negative; if it is positive, it should get larger. For example, CCW rotation should result in the position moving from -150 to-140 or 30 to 40. Unlike other rotators, the TAKometer must be accurately calibrated to give good results. Follow the instructions in the TAKometer documentation. Once you have completed calibration, rotate the TAKometer to +180 and note the rotator's position, perhaps against a fixed reference. Then rotate to -180. The rotator should come to the same point If it does not, re-calibrate as needed. Ideally, you should get within ±1 degree.

When I watch my TAKometer from the rear of the OTA, mine rotates counterclockwise if I move from -50 to +50 (ie increasing position count) using the TAKometer control window.

Have you calibrated the TAKometer to CCDAP3 by initializing the system so CCDAP3 knows the starting PA. Once it knows where the TAKometer is, it should rotate it the correct way.

Hi Frank,

When I watch my TAKometer from the rear of the OTA, it does the opposite of yours. When moving from -50 to +50 using the TAKometer control window, mine rotates clockwise.

I calibrated the TAKometer within CCDAP3 and confirmed by moving the rotator +10 and -10 degrees within the Targets window followed by a plate solve that my FOVI is moving in the opposite direction to what is expected.

-Rom

John,

Thanks for the quick response. The TAKometer documentation is pretty minimal with no mention of how to change the default rotational direction -- the web was not much help either. If you have those instructions easily available, I would very much appreciate them.

Thanks,
Rom

Hi Rom,

Seems you have done the correct setup, so I agree with John that the movement in the RoBoFocus controller is setup different. What you need to do is change the "direction" that the controller has defined as "out" direction to the "in" direction. This will get the TAkometer moving consistent with the documentation.

Here are the directions to reverse the RoBofocus controller :

To check the RoBoFocus direction, push the "out" button. You will notice that when you push the button, the stepper executes one step (with a beep), waits for 1/2 second, then starts running at full speed. If the direction is wrong, turn off the RoBoFocus. After about 10 seconds, turn on the RoBoFocus while pressing the OUT button. As the RoBoFocus powers up, it will sense the OUT button, will reverse itself (switching from inwrad to outward) and will record the new button direction. After several seconds the RoBoFocus will start running in the new direction and you can release the button. The RoboFocus will remember this direction information for future sessions."

Hopefully this will get you going. HTH ......

Frank,

That did the trick. Thanks a bunch for your help. Thank you too, John.

-Rom