Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Questions about hardware and software not obtained from Shoestring Astronomy, but related to our products
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kauzuak
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:02 pm

Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by kauzuak » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:11 am

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?

dpanderson
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Post by dpanderson » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:07 pm

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.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

kauzuak
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Post by kauzuak » Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:46 pm

Doug,

Thanks for the links. So, a modified DD-1 isn't compatible with an ST4 output from a dedicated autoguider?


Kevin

dpanderson
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Post by dpanderson » Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:02 am

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.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

astrophil
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Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by astrophil » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:17 am

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

dpanderson
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Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by dpanderson » Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:33 am

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.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

astrophil
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Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by astrophil » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:49 am

Hi Doug!

thanks for the quick answer, as I am electronically challenged, every advice is welcome!

with best regards,

Philipp

kcross
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Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:03 pm

Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by kcross » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:25 pm

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.

dpanderson
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Re: Vixen DD-1 guide port?

Post by dpanderson » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:42 pm

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.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

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