The provided document is a user guide for the Paramount Series 6 German Equatorial Mounts, specifically covering the MYT, MX, and ME models. This robotic telescope system is designed for ultra-precise pointing, tracking, and stability for amateur and professional astronomers, working in conjunction with TheSky Professional software.
Function Description:
The Paramount Series 6 mounts are precision German equatorial mounts (GEMs) that facilitate astronomical observation and imaging. They are controlled by Software Bisque's fifth-generation dual-axis control system (MKS 6000™), which ensures dependable and precise performance. The mounts are designed to work seamlessly with TheSky Professional software, which includes modules for camera control (Cameras+), dome alignment (Domes), and advanced pointing and tracking accuracy (TPoint™ with Super Model™ and ProTrack™). The Multi-OS+ module allows installation on multiple computers across macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms.
Key functionalities include:
- Precise Pointing and Tracking: Achieved through research-grade right ascension gears with very low periodic error (seven arcseconds or less peak-to-peak before PEC training).
- Periodic Error Correction (PEC): Optimal PEC curve fitting can produce "seeing indifferent" periodic error curves, significantly reducing tracking errors caused by mechanical imperfections.
- Direct Guide™: Allows for optimal guiding without the need for a separate guider cable.
- Mechanical Worm Disengagement: Hour angle and declination axes include mechanical switches to easily disengage the worm for payload balancing and re-engage for normal operation.
- Clutch-Free Worm Block Design: Preserves the mount's physical orientation for accurate and repeatable TPoint modeled pointing and tracking.
- Configurable Slew and Tracking Rates: The control system allows for a wide dynamic range of slew and tracking rates, with configurable acceleration and deceleration.
- Integrated Homing Sensors: Enable rapid mount initialization for precision.
- Pointing Repeatability: Ensures consistent pointing from night to night, even after power loss.
- Vibration Dampening: Extremely stable mechanical design rapidly dampens external vibrations.
- Configurable Slew Limits: Prevent damage to the mount and telescope by slowly decelerating to limit regions.
- Integrated Cable Conduit™: Allows for custom through-the-mount cabling, reducing cable snagging during slews.
- Integrated Rotating Base: Facilitates calibrated azimuth adjustments without affecting the mount's altitude.
- Integrated Altitude Scale: Provides a precise starting point for polar alignment.
- Payload Balancing: The mount's design allows for careful balancing of the payload to prevent motor stalls and ensure smooth operation.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Payload Capacity (excluding counterweights):
- MYT: 32 kg / 70 lb.
- MX: 56 kg / 125 lb.
- ME: 109 kg / 240 lb.
- Versa-Plate Dimensions:
- MYT: 15 cm x 37.4 cm x 1.6 cm (5.95-in. x 14.75-in x 0.63 in.) with four dovetail mounting knobs.
- MX: 16 cm x 41 cm x 1.8 cm (6.4-in. x 16-in x 0.72 in.) with four dovetail mounting knobs.
- ME: 25 cm x 51 cm x 2.5 cm (9.9-in. x 20-in. x 1.0-in) with four dovetail mounting knobs and optional mounting rails for large OTAs.
- Altitude Adjuster Thrust Knobs: MYT and MX have two, ME has four.
- Mechanical Switches: MYT and MX feature a Two Position Switch for engaging/disengaging the worm and a Transportation Lock Knob for locking axes. ME uses locking bolts for transport.
- Physical Hard Stops:
- MYT/MX: Fixed, non-configurable mechanical hard stop at hour angle 2 and fixed declination hard stop near the celestial pole.
- ME: Five configurable hard stop positions, located at a minimum of seven minutes to up to two hours past the meridian.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU):
- MYT/MX: 80W, 100-240VAC ~47-63 Hz 1.9A input, 48V 1.66A max output.
- ME: 221W, 100-240VAC 50/60 Hz 4.0A input, 48V 4.6A max output.
- Counterweight Shafts:
- ME: 47 cm (18.5 in.) long, 4.763 cm (1.875 in.) diameter, 6.7 kg (14.75 lb.) weight, capacity for six 30 lb. or six 40 lb. counterweights.
- MX: 41 cm (16 in.) long, 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) diameter, 4 kg (9 lb.) weight, capacity for six 9 kg (20 lb.) counterweights.
- MYT: 33 cm (13 in.) long, 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) diameter, 3.2 kg (7 lb.) weight, capacity for four 9 kg (20 lb.) or five 10 lb. counterweights.
- Counterweights (included): MYT (one 9 kg/20 lb.), MX (two 9 kg/20 lb.), ME (two 13.6 kg/30 lb.).
- Wi-Fi (WiSky): Standard feature on Series 6 mounts, configurable as ad hoc network or to join an infrastructure network.
- On-Axis Absolute Encoders: Optional feature that eliminates homing and periodic error.
Usage Features:
- TheSky Professional Control: The primary interface for controlling the mount, offering comprehensive settings for pointing, tracking, and system diagnostics.
- Homing: Essential for mounts without on-axis absolute encoders to establish mechanical orientation. The home position is fixed (HA 0, Dec 0 with OTA on east side of pier for Series 6).
- Polar Alignment: Rough polar alignment can be done using TheSky Professional's feature, even during daylight. Accurate polar alignment uses TPoint™ module and a fiducial star. The PoleMaster™ Adapter is an optional accessory for electronic polar alignment.
- Parking: The mount can be slewed to a user-defined park position, and sidereal tracking is turned off. Unparking is typically automatic upon connection with TheSky.
- Coordinate Systems: Understanding Horizon and Equatorial coordinate systems, Hour Angle, and Local Sidereal Time is crucial for operation.
- Atmospheric Refraction Correction: TPoint™ accounts for and applies refraction corrections for precise pointing and tracking.
- Through-the-Mount Cabling: Conduits allow for organized routing of low-voltage DC power cables, reducing snags and improving remote operation.
- Hand Controller: Provides manual slew and home commands, mount lighting, and an integrated LED flashlight. Slew rates are configurable.
- Bisque TCS Window: Offers direct access to all control system parameters, firmware updates, status monitoring, and troubleshooting information.
- Motor Index Angles: Measured and saved to the control system's permanent memory, crucial for motor initialization, especially after installing new components.
- Mount Slew Limits: Software limits can be configured to prevent collisions with the pier, particularly in atypical GEM orientations.
- Temperature-Based Slew Rate Adjustment: Automatically lowers slew rates in cold temperatures to provide more torque and prevent motor stalls.
Maintenance Features:
- Firmware Updates: Software Bisque periodically releases newer firmware versions, which can be updated through TheSky Professional.
- Calibration: TPoint™ calibration corrects repeatable mechanical errors and atmospheric refraction effects. Home index offsets can be calibrated to ensure consistent home position.
- Mount Exercise Procedure: A "run in" procedure that slews the mount between slew limits to ensure gear train, motors, and electronics function normally, useful after lubrication or component replacement.
- Troubleshooting: The user guide provides solutions for common communication errors, issues with homing, and problems with slewing, including checking power management settings and USB connections.
- Documentation: Technical drawings of various components are available on the Software Bisque website for detailed reference.
- Warranty: Software Bisque provides a limited warranty for mechanical and electrical parts, with a procedure for product returns for service.
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