From the outset I had planned to use Mel's
telescope control software. Every year it keeps gets better and now
features pointing model correction and good lx200 support. This
makes it ideal for a fixed telescope interfaced to other pc's.
Instead of frictional drive and the use of conical bearings I have
used a more old fashioned system where the worm wheels are fixed to
the alt and az shafts. The system was designed together with Barry
Watts of Beacon
Hill telescopes who made the parts. Delivery took a little
longer than expected and I have some reservations about the mounting
of the worm brackets. However the worms and wheels themselves are
very well finished and were reasonably priced. I am using steppers
and 5:1 gearboxes from rs supplies. On the other end of the worm is
a optical sensor used to sync the PEC system.
PEC is in the order of +/- 150 1/10th of an
arc second. This may seem large compared with others telescopes.
However remember these are mounted directly to the shafts rather
than though the usual friction reduction use in Mel type systems.
