Optec Alnitak Astrosystems Flat-Man Installation Manual Download Page 1

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Optec, Inc.

199 Smith Street ∙ Lowell, Michigan 49331 ∙ U.S.A.

www.optecinc.com

Page

Revision 10 –8/31/2012

Alnitak Astrosystems Flat-Fielding Devices

Installation Manual

Software Reference Guide

Alnitak Astrosystems

a division of Optec, Inc.

199 Smith Street ∙ Lowell, Michigan 49331

U.S.A.

Summary of Contents for Alnitak Astrosystems Flat-Man

Page 1: ...n 49331 U S A www optecinc com Page 1 of 29 Revision 10 8 31 2012 Alnitak Astrosystems Flat Fielding Devices Installation Manual Software Reference Guide Alnitak Astrosystems a division of Optec Inc 199 Smith Street Lowell Michigan 49331 U S A ...

Page 2: ... 8 Known issues 8 Flip Flat Quick Start Guide 12 Windows Alnitak Astrosystems Controller application using Flip Flat 14 Using the command line application AACmd exe 17 Flat Man Flat Man L Quick Start Guide 19 Windows Alnitak Astrosystems Controller application using the Flat Man 19 Using the command line application AACmd exe 22 Mounting the Flat Man XL 23 Flat Man XL Quick Start Guide 24 Remotely...

Page 3: ...at the light shines through We suggest cleaning the diffuser with a soft optical cloth after blowing off any particles to minimize scratching Heavy soiling may require gentle rubbing with a glass cleaner or mild soap and water Flat fielding strategies We have found that it is best to take darks at night so that there is no risk of light leaks in the optical path With these devices there s no rush ...

Page 4: ... where the Alnitak application was installed If you don t have an internet connection you can navigate to the CDM folder created by unzipping the CDM zipfile in the applications folder See Known Issues in section 3 for more detail Windows XP If connected to the web click on the Found New Hardware balloon Under search for software select Yes this time only and Next If not connected to the web selec...

Page 5: ...Inc 199 Smith Street Lowell Michigan 49331 U S A www optecinc com Page 5 of 29 Revision 10 8 31 2012 Click Finish A second driver will be installed in the same way Now click Finish and the install is complete ...

Page 6: ... Vista If connected to the web click on the Locate and install driver software Windows will search the web for the first driver and install it Repeat for second driver When Windows has installed both drivers the COM port that is being used by the Alnitak device will be displayed as shown below Click Close to finish ...

Page 7: ...mand line application AACmd exe This is a command line application for controlling Flip Flat Flat Man and Flat Man XL The Windows application must be closed before the AACmd exe application can be run From the command prompt type path AACmd followed by a COM port number and a command and optionally a switch where the path points to the installation directory The case insensitive single letter comm...

Page 8: ...e of this application has changed from ffcommand to AACmd and the name of the folder that contains it in your Program Files Alnitak Astrosystems folder has changed from Flip Flat Controller to Alnitak Astrosystems Controller For existing customers using the command line program from CCD Autopilot or other telescope control applications if you upgrade to version 1 1 0 0 you will need to change the ...

Page 9: ...on t play nice with early versions of our software Contact us if you have an older unit and start having problems with a new to you camera Our latest software takes care of this and we can let you know how to upgrade your older unit 2 We have found that if your drivers are old you may get an I O error when you start up our controller application You should update all FTDI devices on your PC to the...

Page 10: ...device installed correctly We have found that some systems require you to manually select the driver files We have included all the necessary drivers from FTDI in our install directory as a zipped file called CDM xxxxx WHQL Certified zip where xxxxx is the version number If windows prompts you for FTDIbus sys you can unzip the folder to a newly created folder you should call CDMxxxxx Navigate to t...

Page 11: ...Optec Inc 199 Smith Street Lowell Michigan 49331 U S A www optecinc com Page 11 of 29 Revision 10 8 31 2012 Quick Start and Software Reference ...

Page 12: ...g 5 Adjust the mounting strap so that the cap is seated tightly to the dew shield OTA and tighten the mounting strap The top of the mounting bracket should be roughly flush with the top of the dew shield OTA Cut the mounting strap leaving an inch or so protruding so that adjustments can be made in the future Figure 2 The Flip Flat mounted to a retractable dew shield Note the additional zip tie bel...

Page 13: ...oller application 10 Ensure that the Flip Flat has been found on the appropriate port see software installation instructions 11 Push the close button until the application reports that the Flip Flat is closed 12 Push the open button to ensure that the Flip Flat cap opens and the application reports that the Flip Flat is open Your Flip Flat is ready to use Please note that the light will only turn ...

Page 14: ...utton Used to update the list of Alnitak Astro devices connected to the computer If clicked immediately after connecting or disconnecting a device the button text will change to WAIT while the computer virtual COM port is being configured This could take up to 8 seconds The list will be updated after configuration has completed CONNECT Button This will connect to a SELECTED device from the list ab...

Page 15: ...URN TURN OFF Button Clicking the TURN ON button when enabled will turn on the flat light source This button is only enabled while the cover is closed When the light is on the button label changes to TURN OFF Clicking it then turns off the light source If the OPEN button is clicked while the light is on the light will turn off and the TURN ON button will become disabled until the cover is closed ag...

Page 16: ...EN When the cover is either moving or halted and is between open and closed the display will show NOT AT LIMIT If the open or closed limit is not reached within the timeout period about 15 seconds TIMEDOUT will be displayed A timeout may result from low USB power if the Flip Flat is plugged into a hub Make sure that you use only high quality self powered hubs for the Flip Flat Motor State Flip Fla...

Page 17: ...alue The background color will be blue if the light is off and yellow if it is on Found x Device s Displays the number of Alinitak devices of all types connected to the computer Device List Lists all Alnitak Astro devices connected to the computer the device type and the virtual COM port that is associated with each Status Status of the connection to a device or the refresh process Using the comma...

Page 18: ...Optec Inc 199 Smith Street Lowell Michigan 49331 U S A www optecinc com Page 18 of 29 Revision 10 8 31 2012 Quick Start and Software Reference ...

Page 19: ...o a suitable outlet 4 Point your scope towards the zenith and rest the Flat Man on the end making sure that it is centered so that the entire field of view will be lighted Alternatively you can remove one of the 6 32 screws and use that hole to mount the unit to a tripod or wall with a longer screw If you mount it perpendicular to the park position of the telescope you will have a remotely operabl...

Page 20: ...re than one Alnitak Astrosystems device connected to the computer there will be more than one device in the list in the Port window Select the Flat Man or Flat Man L and click the Connect button or just double click your selection The window will change to indicate that the application is connected to the device like this ...

Page 21: ...t will change to WAIT while the computer virtual COM port is being configured This could take up to 8 seconds The list will be updated after configuration has completed CONNECT Button This will connect to a SELECTED device from the list above If only one device is listed the button will be active immediately If more than one device is listed the user must select one before clicking this button You...

Page 22: ...T button causes the application to exit Display Text Boxes Brightness Numeric text box that indicates the value of the brightness that is being used by the device hardware When the slider is moved this display will show the instantaneous value The background color will be blue if the light is off and yellow if it is on Found x Device s Displays the number of Alinitak Astro devices connected to the...

Page 23: ... of the panel frame that can be used to mount the panel Since everyone s observatory is different we have left the details of the mounting up to the user Mount the panel perpendicular to the OTA in the park position For best results mount the panel as close to the OTA as possible to eliminate stray light and edge errors We have found that mounting within 2 feet seems to work well for all but the w...

Page 24: ... skip down to section B below Section A Quick Start Guide for Flat Man XL18 and XL24 1 Carefully unpack the Flat Man XL You should have the following parts a Flat Man XL panel b HV Power supply c Line cord for HV supply d Flat Man XL controller black rectangular inverter e USB cable f Long gray cable connecting panel to controller g Short gray cable from the 4 pos controller to the 6 pos HV Supply...

Page 25: ...Be careful not to impact or bend the connector while mated 6 Plug the power supply into the AC mains NOTE We have found that the power cord fits very tightly into the connector on the back of the 600N inverter You must use considerable force to insert it completely to prevent intermittent connection When inserted properly there should be no more than 1 8 3 5mm gap between the receptacle and the bo...

Page 26: ...ble 2 position XL controller to circular lamp connector g Short gray HV cable 4 pos HV Supply RED connector to 2 pos controller h Short gray Control cable 4 pos XL controller to 4 pin circular locking connector 2 Connect the HV Control cable between the Flat Man XL Controller white 4 position plug and the HV power supply large circular 4 position connector This 4 pin Amp connector replaces the sma...

Page 27: ...g with the dot on the panel receptacle Gently push the plug on and rotate the plug shell turn until you feel it click Reverse this procedure to remove Do not twist the connector by more than turn Be careful not to impact or bend the connector while mated 5 Connect the USB cable between the Flat Man XL controller box and the computer or a self powered USB hub 6 Use the supplied IEC wall power cord ...

Page 28: ...e Alnitak Controller icon on the desktop 11 Connect to the device by selecting it from the list and clicking Connect 12 Click the TURN ON button and adjust the slider to your chosen value 13 Click the TURN OFF button to turn off light Remotely powering down the HV supply between sessions When you click the OFF button the panel will go dark but the power supply remains on In remote situations you m...

Page 29: ...rmation The Flip Flat and Flat Man are warranteed for one year from date of purchase return shipping not included If your unit fails and is not due to mishandling neglect or exposure to rain snow we will repair or replace it at our discretion Breaking the seal on the unit will void the warranty Please contact sales alnitakastro com if you have any problems with your unit Trademarks Windows Windows...

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