Eagle Mach 1 Specifications download pdf (Page 21)

CABLE MANAGEMENT

Introduction to one of the Mach1GTO’s most Innovative Features

In years past, there was no such problem as cable management on astronomical equipment. The only wires or cables would

have been for the clock drive motor of the RA axis, and maybe one for a drive motor attached to the dec’s tangent arm. Today,

we have added the cables that accompany film cameras, CCD cameras, autoguiders, multiple dew heaters, motorized focusers,

and numerous other electronic accessories. Many modern imaging setups have wires going everywhere, and these wires could

be a never ending source of problems and frustrations for the operator. Wires hanging off of cameras can lead to image ruining

flexure. Wires can catch and snag as the mount slews, and were especially vulnerable when a German Equatorial Mount was

“swapping sides” to point at the other side of the meridian. The problem was that all these wires going to all these different

locations had to deal with a mechanical system that was designed to be in motion.

Roland Christen and the design team at Astro-Physics came up with an elegant solution to the “cable nightmare.” If cables all

around the mount are a problem, then run them through the mount! The idea seems absurdly simple, but it introduced some

significant engineering and design challenges, particularly since this mount is portable and the two axes come apart. Those

challenges were met with the Mach1GTO. There are four places on the Mach1GTO where cables can enter or exit the inside of

the mount.

The first of these is the hub end of the dec axis. Underneath the DECLINATION HUB PLATE on the end of the declination

axis are two C

ABLE CHANNELS. Cables passing through the hub get routed through one of these channels and on to

their accessory. This is where imaging cables, dew heater cables and motorized focuser cables are most likely to be

routed.

The second point of egress is the SIGHT HOLE / CABLE ACCESS COVER on the dec axis. You can run the dec leg of your

servo drive’s Y-cable out through this opening. It is also a very convenient place from which to feed cables.

3. The third place to run cables in and out is the C

ABLE ACCESS COVER on the RA axis. This is an especially useful place

if you need to do a rough polar alignment each time you set up. It still allows the easy use of the polar scope.

4. Finally, for permanent installations or regular observing spots with marked pier / tripod positions (in other words,

observing sites where you don’t need the polar scope) the cables can be run out the bottom of the RA axis.

Which of these openings you use will depend on your particular situation. All of the openings and internal cable passages have

a two inch diameter clearance that will accommodate a DB15 serial plug with relative ease. It is certainly not required that you

run any cables through the mount, but many of you will find this feature useful.

Preparation

Your approach to cable routing will depend on two main factors: the particular cables you need to run and the degree of

portability of your system. These factors lead to a couple of questions: Will the telescope’s mounting plate remain attached to

the mount between observing sessions? Is the mount often removed from the pier / tripod between sessions? Do you need to

rough polar align each time you set up or can you set up and always be close enough to not need a polar scope? Or are you

permanently mounted? Since everyone’s situation will be a bit different, these instructions are more guidelines rather than

specific “follow these to the letter or else” instructions.

If it is practical, you may find it most convenient to first set up your mount following the above instructions and get it pretty well

polar aligned. The two axes must be assembled to run your cables. You won’t do a final drift alignment yet, but you will want to

get close. This is especially the case for those of you who are using a polar alignment scope like our PASILL4. You do not want

to have the polar scope installed when the cables are being run through the inside of the mount or you might scratch the polar

scope’s objective. However, as you will see, there is a way to use your polar scope with the cables already in place, though this

may not be possible in all cases. Do not have your telescope or mounting plate attached yet.

Remove the D

ECLINATION HUB PLATE off of the DECLINATION AXIS HUB by removing the six 1/4-20 X 3/4 FLAT HEAD SOCKET CAP

SCREWS around its perimeter. Remove the polar scope from the RA axis if you are using one. Finally, remove the POLAR SCOPE

ADAPTER (with POLAR SCOPE CAP) and raise the two CABLE ACCESS COVERS (one on each axis) to the open position. You are now

ready to put in your cables. Note: starting with mounts that began shipping in April, 2007, the P

OLAR SCOPE ADAPTER is a bit

larger and has a knurled grip for easier removal.

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Eagle Mach 1 Specifications Page 21

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