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SOME IMPORTANT NOTES
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When using Mounts with Auto-Adjust Motor Gearboxes:
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Use the clutches when repositioning the mount!
This is a safer practice than using the gearbox
disengagement lever in order to ensure that the gear teeth are not damaged by accident. Refer to your
manual for clutch operation.
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Begin your balance procedure in Park 3 position (pointing to the pole).
This will ensure that an out of
balance scope does not have a sudden, wild swing that could damage the scope, the mount or you!
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Be sure that the Gearbox engage/disengage lever is fully disengaged and that the worm is
fully separated from the worm wheel when balancing the mount (or moving the mount when
repositioning)!
It is important not to damage the tops of the gears by bumping the worm and worm wheel
teeth!
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Be careful not to twist and inadvertently damage internal cables.
It is important to remember not to twist and
damage internal cables by over-rotating the axes. If the axes are rotated when setting up or performing mount
maintenance, you will need to undo the axis rotation to return cables to their normal position. Internal cables should
not be pulled tight; rather, they should be left slack and free to move.
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Be sure that all fasteners on the mount and scope are tight.
You do not want to have to catch a falling scope or
see it sitting unexpectedly on the concrete!
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Computer and Keypad use together.
If you are using a computer for primary mount control, but wish to have
the Keypad connected for convenience while at an eyepiece, then set the Keypad to AutoConnect: EXT so that the
computer will initialize the mount, not the Keypad.
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Always Initialize and park the mount using the same device.
If you initialize with the Keypad, then park with
the Keypad...if you initialize with the computer, then park with the computer.
Important Note:
If the Keypad is your
chosen method of operation, then uncheck the following two boxes in the AP V2 driver’s Setup Telescope...1- Sync
Mount to PC Time and 2- Keep Mount Time Synced to PC Time.
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Unpark from Last Parked.
If the mount is being re-started from a previous night, as in a permanent observatory or at
a week-long star party, then unpark from Last Parked (assuming that the scope has not been repositioned manually by
hand via the clutches since it was last parked).
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Unpark from a defined park position.
If your equipment is being set up afresh for a night’s observing, then place
the scope in a defined park position and have it unpark from that specific position. If it is to remain set up for the next
night, then park it to your position of choice and resume from Last Parked the next night.
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GTOCP4 Control Box will auto-park mount when powered off.
The GTOCP4 control box will auto-park the mount
in place when the power is turned off or is interrupted. Nevertheless, we do recommend parking the mount to a
convenient park position when finishing the evening’s viewing (and leaving the mount set up for another night).
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Use the mount with its own power supply.
For best performance the mount should have its own power supply.
This is especially true when imaging.
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Reference the Astro-Physics Technical Support page of the website.
There is a wealth of information on the
Technical Support page that can often answer the questions that you have, as well as provide in-depth understanding
and fixes. All the latest versions of the manuals can be found on the page.
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Remember that the answer to most questions can be found in the supplied manuals or on the website.
Please
reference these manuals or the website Technical Support before calling Astro-Physics. If you cannot find the answer,
then the Technical Support team is ready to help.
Please take special notice:
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Outdoor Storage
– If you have a mount that is left outside for extended periods covered by a tarp or scope cover,
then it is highly recommended to remove the GTOCP4 and Keypad and take them inside to a safer environment.
Tarps and covers cause significant condensation build up unless steps are taken to mediate the problem. Often low
wattage light bulbs or fans are used to reduce condensation for short term storage, but this is no guaranty.
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VERY IMPORTANT
:
We take every precaution to make our control boxes moisture and dew resistant; however,
they are not waterproof! We cannot be responsible for water damage when reasonable care has not been taken to
shield them from excessive dew or when storing them outside under tarps for extended periods.