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Copyright © 2020, Astro Devices. All rights reserved.  

 
 

SkyWatcher: Encoders Installation  

This kit is suitable for SkyWatcher/Saxon classic 6”-16” and Collapsible up to 16”. 

Please unpack all parts from the encoder kit. Make sure that your kit contains the following parts: 

 

 

The following parts are only for the 10”: 

          

 

 

Encoder resolutions:  
Azimuth: 311,296 steps 
Altitude: 6”-10” – 842,700 steps, 12” – 943,000 steps, 14”-16” – 1,308,000 steps 
Current consumption: Azimuth - 20 mA, Altitude – 20 mA 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

Summary of Contents for Saxon classic

Page 1: ...sic 6 16 and Collapsible up to 16 Please unpack all parts from the encoder kit Make sure that your kit contains the following parts The following parts are only for the 10 Encoder resolutions Azimuth...

Page 2: ...s The azimuth pivot bolt needs to be replaced with the supplied azimuth pivot bolt Use the socket wrench and the shifter tool adjustable spanner to remove the pivot bolt You also need to remove the ex...

Page 3: ...stro Devices All rights reserved 3 Put the rocker box on its side and install the aluminium plate on the pivot bolt Drill holes for the screws using the supplied drill bit Use the supplied screws to s...

Page 4: ...Copyright 2020 Astro Devices All rights reserved 4 Tighten the pivot bolt making sure the rocker box still rotates as usual Tighten two set grub screws using supplied Allen key...

Page 5: ...er on the pivot bolt Use a pencil to mark the middle of the slot at the end of the tangent arm on the rocker box for the placement of the anchor bolt Swing the tangent arm away from the marked spot an...

Page 6: ...Copyright 2020 Astro Devices All rights reserved 6 Predrill the hole for the screw Fix plastic foot to the rocker box with three screws provided...

Page 7: ...the anchor bolt using a flat head screw driver Position the slot of the tangent arm over the foot and install the anchor bolt Slide the two thin washers over the top of the pivot bolt and install the...

Page 8: ...r The altitude encoder can be installed on either altitude bearing However the encoder reader will be easier to install on the left side wall of the rocker box left side wall shown in the photo below...

Page 9: ...the reader over the front bearing cylinder Now you will need either a pencil or a safety pin to put a marking on the altitude bearing You need to mark where the magnetic tape will be installed Positio...

Page 10: ...he altitude bearing just past the body of the encoder reader with a pencil it might be easier to use something like a safety pin to put a small scratch instead Now remove the OTA from the rocker box R...

Page 11: ...e lower part of the OTA is on the left Position the end of the magnetic tape starting from the marked position Use a soft cloth or a paper towel to put pressure on the tape so it adheres to the surfac...

Page 12: ...the tape does not go beyond the reader s top edge The photo below shows the required gap between the reader and the tape The gap is controlled by rotating the reader around the bearing cylinder Now yo...

Page 13: ...end with the screws provided Now put the OTA back into the rocker box and make sure that the reader is positioned correctly and does not rub the surface of the magnetic tape Use a pencil to mark the c...

Page 14: ...he gap between the reader and the tape is 0 8mm Then tighten the screw Then carefully remove the OTA by making sure the reader is not moved Altitude Encoder Installation 10 only For the installation o...

Page 15: ...ncoder can be installed on either altitude bearing However the encoder reader will be easier to install on the left side wall of the rocker box left side wall shown in the photo below Remove the exist...

Page 16: ...Copyright 2020 Astro Devices All rights reserved 16 Prepare the encoder reader You need the following parts Remove the reader PCB and move the PCB to the other housing...

Page 17: ...he housing and tighten them carefully finger tight Slide the encoder reader over the left front bearing Put the OTA on the right bearing with the left bearing facing up This bearing will be on the sam...

Page 18: ...stro Devices All rights reserved 18 Clean the smaller part of the bearing with IPA You will now need the following parts The magnetic tape will be positioned at the bottom of the smaller part of the a...

Page 19: ...l need to remove drill a hole using the provided drill bit approximately at the bottom most point of the bearing Remove the protective film from the back of the magnetic tape Now fix the tape to the b...

Page 20: ...Copyright 2020 Astro Devices All rights reserved 20 Use a soft cloth to attach the tape firmly to the bearing Drill the second hole at the end of the tape and fix that end to the altitude bearing...

Page 21: ...the OTA back on the rocker box and make sure that the top of the reader PCB is a line tangent to the circle of the altitude bearing Remove the OTA again and use the pencil to mark the middle of the s...

Page 22: ...he position of the reader Put the OTA back on the rocker box and examine the gap between the encoder reader s top and the magnetic tape it should not exceed 0 8mm ideally it should be 0 4mm Finished N...

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