1. Introducció
The Terrans Industry GOTO Onstep V5 Pro kit is designed to upgrade compatible equatorial mounts, such as the EXOS2 and EQ5, with advanced GOTO, tracking, and guiding capabilities. This system enhances your astronomical observations and astrophotography by providing precise control over your telescope's movement, allowing for accurate celestial object location and long-exposure imaging.
2. Contingut del paquet
Si us plau, verifiqueu que tots els elements que s'enumeren a continuació siguin presents al vostre paquet:
- Onstep V5 Pro Control Box
- Stepper Motors (2 units for RA and DEC axes)
- Cables de motor
- Cable USB
- DC 12V Power Cable
- Gear Set for RA and DEC axes
- Maquinari de muntatge (cargols, suports)
- Petit tornavís
3. Instruccions de configuració
Follow these steps to install and connect your GOTO kit to your equatorial mount:
3.1. Instal·lació del motor
- Identify the Right Ascension (RA) and Declination (DEC) axes on your EXOS2 or EQ5 mount.
- Attach the stepper motors to the respective RA and DEC axes using the provided mounting brackets and screws. Ensure the gears on the motors mesh correctly with the mount's gears.
- Secure all connections firmly but do not overtighten.
3.2. Control Box Connections
Connect the cables to the Onstep V5 Pro control box as follows. Refer to the figures below for port identification.
- RA & DEC Motors: Connect the motor cables from the installed stepper motors to the 'RA' and 'DEC' ports on the control box.
- Entrada d'alimentació: Connect the DC 12V power cable to the 'DC12V' port. Ensure you use a compatible 12V power supply (not included).
- Connexió USB: For computer control and firmware updates, connect the USB cable from your computer to the 'USB' port on the control box.
- DSLR Camera: If using for astrophotography, connect your DSLR camera's shutter release cable to the 'DSLR' port.
- Hand Controller (Optional): If you have a compatible hand controller, connect it to the 'SHC' port.
- Guiding Camera (Optional): Connect your guiding camera to the 'TRACK' port for autoguiding functionality.
- Rotator/Focuser (Optional): If your setup includes a motorized rotator or focuser, connect them to the 'ROTATOR' and 'FOCUSER' ports respectively.
3.3. Engegada inicial
Once all connections are secure, connect the 12V power supply to an electrical outlet. The 'POWER' indicator light on the control box should illuminate, indicating successful power-up.
4. Instruccions de funcionament
The Onstep V5 Pro kit operates using the Onstep firmware, which can be controlled via a computer or a compatible hand controller.
4.1. GOTO Functionality
To utilize the GOTO feature, you will typically need astronomy software on your computer (e.g., Stellarium, Cartes du Ciel with ASCOM drivers) or a compatible hand controller. After aligning your mount, select a celestial object in the software or on the hand controller, and the mount will automatically slew to its coordinates.
4.2. Seguiment
Once an object is acquired, the Onstep system will automatically track its movement across the night sky, compensating for Earth's rotation. This allows for extended visual observation without constant manual adjustments.
4.3. Guiding for Astrophotography
For long-exposure astrophotography, connect a guiding camera to the 'TRACK' port and use guiding software (e.g., PHD2). The Onstep system will receive corrections from the guiding software to maintain precise tracking, minimizing star trails in your images.
5. Manteniment
- Neteja: Keep the control box and motors clean and free from dust and moisture. Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning.
- Connexions: Comproveu periòdicament totes les connexions dels cables per assegurar-vos que estiguin ben fixades i que no presentin corrosió.
- Emmagatzematge: When not in use, store the kit in a dry, temperate environment, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Actualitzacions de firmware: Check the official Onstep community or Terrans Industry resources for available firmware updates to ensure optimal performance and access to new features.
6. Solució De Problemes
- Issue: Motors are not moving.
- Solució:
- Ensure the 12V power supply is connected and functioning, and the 'POWER' indicator light is on.
- Check that motor cables are securely connected to both the motors and the control box (RA and DEC ports).
- Verify that the control software or hand controller is properly configured and sending commands.
- Issue: Computer cannot connect to the control box via USB.
- Solució:
- Assegureu-vos que el cable USB estigui connectat correctament.
- Install the necessary USB drivers for the Onstep system on your computer.
- Prova amb un port o cable USB diferent.
7. Especificacions
| Característica | Especificació |
|---|---|
| Model | Onstep V5 Pro |
| Compatibilitat | EXOS2/EQ5 Equatorial Mounts |
| Entrada de potència | DC 12V |
| Connectivitat | USB, DSLR, SHC, RA, DEC, TRACK, ROTATOR, FOCUSER |
| Pes del paquet | 2.0 kg |
| Dimensions del paquet (L x W x H) | 22 cm x 22 cm x 11 cm |
8. Consells d'usuari
- Alineació polar: For best GOTO and tracking performance, ensure your equatorial mount is accurately polar aligned before use.
- Configuració del programari: Take time to properly configure your astronomy software (e.g., ASCOM drivers, planetarium software) to communicate effectively with the Onstep controller.
- Gestió de cables: Route all cables carefully to prevent snagging or tangling during mount movement, which can damage connections or affect tracking accuracy.
9. Garantia i Suport
For technical support, warranty claims, or further assistance, please contact the seller or manufacturer directly. Keep your purchase records for any warranty-related inquiries.