21
CABLE MANAGEMENT
The movement of the mount across the meridian during slewing functions is calculated so that the cables will not tangle if
they are set up properly. In addition to the motor and power cables that are provided with the mount, you may have
additional cables for other accessories. These may be powered from the GTO Control Panel or from another power source.
We suggest that you position your cabling carefully to avoid a tangled mess. When your cables are set up, move the
telescope manually throughout the normal range of movement to be sure that the cables do not catch on anything and that
you have enough length. Here are a few pointers:
1200 Motor Cables
Note that the “Y” cable for the 1200 mount originates at the GTO Control Panel connector, then splits into two. The short
portion connects to the RA motor box and is not likely to be in the way because this axis remains in the same position. We
have provided a cable mount to position the Dec cable neatly. The longer Dec portion of the cable must be set up properly
to ensure that as the Dec axis moves, the cable follows smoothly. Please insert this cable into the cable mount in the upper
left corner of the GTO Servo Control Box as shown above. When the connector is attached to the Dec motor box, the cable
should be positioned as shown in the photograph.
Accessory Cables
Accessories may include Kendrick Dew Removers, CCD cameras and autoguiders, focus motors, illuminated guiding
eyepiece reticles, power cords for the Pentax 6x7 camera, etc. As you attach each accessory, carefully assess the best
position to assure complete movement as your telescope slews from one side of the mount to the other. If an external
power source is used, determine the optimum location for the battery. We prefer to use tie wraps (not glamorous, but
effective) or cable ties (from electronic supply store or catalog) to secure our cables to the mount, telescope, rings or bind
them together. Adhesive cable mounts similar to the one that we use for the Dec. cable are an alternative choice. We
prefer to use ties since we cannot bear to attach adhesive cable mounts to our telescopes or mounts.
Example from International Space Station – Amateur Telescope (ISS-AT)
Project
If we use tie wraps to secure several cables together and plan to
use that same setup in our next observing session, we keep the ties
in place when we disassemble our equipment. The setup for the
next session is much quicker.
The photo on the left shows how the cables were arranged on the
1200GTO that was installed at a permanent observatory for the
International Space Station – Amateur Telescope (ISS-AT) project
of the Astronomical League. This mount is operated remotely and
cable management is essential. The scope is a modified Celestron
C-14 and the accessories included: CCD camera, color filter wheel,
remote focuser and Kendrick Dew Remover.
Note how the wire bundle is attached to the mounting plate before
looping back to the pier. Attaching the wires securely to the plate
prevents any kind of motion or disturbances to the camera during
image acquisition and guiding. The loop is made long enough to
Summary of Contents for GTOCP3
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