Vixen DD-1 guide port?
Vixen DD-1 guide port?
I've seen hits and tips about adding a guide port to the DD-1. Doug's write(s) up in the shoestring download section probabaly has the info, but I guess I'm not smart enough to put it all together. I'm still missing something. How hard is it to do it, and is there a good guide on the web?
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: central Iowa
- Contact:
We have had several customers successfully modify the DD1 handcontroller. It is very similar to the instruction for the EQ handcontroller given in:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf
We even had one customer send us a nice photo of where they soldered in the wires on the DD1. It can be seen at:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/images/DD1.jpg
Because of the logic used in the DD1, you will need our GPUSB-AH product to work properly with it. The GPUSB will not work.
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/eq_mod.pdf
We even had one customer send us a nice photo of where they soldered in the wires on the DD1. It can be seen at:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/images/DD1.jpg
Because of the logic used in the DD1, you will need our GPUSB-AH product to work properly with it. The GPUSB will not work.
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: central Iowa
- Contact:
I think it would be if the autoguider used relays, but not if it used optocouplers like our GPUSB and GPUSB-AH do.
By adding relays internal to the handcontroller, as shown in schematic GP1 of this document:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... idance.pdf
then it would be compatible with our GPUSB and most dedicated autoguiders.
By adding relays internal to the handcontroller, as shown in schematic GP1 of this document:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... idance.pdf
then it would be compatible with our GPUSB and most dedicated autoguiders.
Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?
Hi,
Is it absolutely necessary to use a relay with a diode as described in: http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... idance.pdf for the GP-1 schema?
I am trying to get a QHY5 drive a modified DD-1 controller.
thx
Philipp
Is it absolutely necessary to use a relay with a diode as described in: http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... idance.pdf for the GP-1 schema?
I am trying to get a QHY5 drive a modified DD-1 controller.
thx
Philipp
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: central Iowa
- Contact:
Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?
It is always good practice to have a reversed-biased diode across the coil of a relay. This helps to absorb inductive voltage spikes that occur when the relay coil is de-energized. If you don't have a relay with a built-in diode, you can always add a separate diode externally.
Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?
Hi Doug!
thanks for the quick answer, as I am electronically challenged, every advice is welcome!
with best regards,
Philipp
thanks for the quick answer, as I am electronically challenged, every advice is welcome!
with best regards,
Philipp
Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?
Hi Doug,
I thought I'd post my question, well it's really more of a clarification, here because the topic is relavant to my question. I recently wired my DD-1 to be used with the GPUSB-AH. However, I have an ST-8E to use on occasion, and I would like to be able to access both chips. If I were to do the GP1 relay modification, on a seperate hand controller if necessary or the same if possible, would I be able to connect the DD-1 directly to the ST-4 output on the camera so as I can use both chips? Thanks for your help.
I thought I'd post my question, well it's really more of a clarification, here because the topic is relavant to my question. I recently wired my DD-1 to be used with the GPUSB-AH. However, I have an ST-8E to use on occasion, and I would like to be able to access both chips. If I were to do the GP1 relay modification, on a seperate hand controller if necessary or the same if possible, would I be able to connect the DD-1 directly to the ST-4 output on the camera so as I can use both chips? Thanks for your help.
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1047
- Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
- Location: central Iowa
- Contact:
Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?
I'm not an ST-8E expert, but I believe that would be true. If you did the GP1 relay mod, then you would need our GPUSB, not the GPUSB-AH. We would take your GPUSB-AH back in exchange for a GPUSB if you would like to.