HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro v4.5x User Manual

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Mount Hub Pro v4.5x

User Manual

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Summary of Contents for HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro v4.5x

Page 1 Mount Hub Pro v4.5x User Manual http://www.hitecastro.co.uk support@hitecastro.co.uk...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Warranty Connecting the device Software Installation and Setup Hardware Installation ……………Connecting a Dew Heater ……………Connecting Other Equipment ……………Connecting a Focus Motor ……………Connecting a DC Motor Operating The PC Software ……………Power Tab ……………Dew Control Tab ……………Focus Tab ……………Settings Tab ……………About Tab ASCOM Focus Driver ASCOM Switch Driver...
Page 3: Warranty
Warranty HitecAstro warrants that this product will be free from defects for a period of 12 months following purchase. This warranty is in addition to any statutory rights which may exist in your jurisdiction. This warranty only applies to use as described in this document.
Page 4: Software Installation And Setup
It is your responsibility to ensure that your chosen power supply can deliver enough current to power the device (typically <0.5amps) and your chosen combination of dew heaters/focuser/ancillary equipment. Hitecastro will not currently recommend any particular brand of power supply. You should consult a specialist electrical retailer for advice on choice of PSU.
Page 5 Now complete the software setup. Download the latest version of the software suite from the Hitecastro website. From v4.5 onwards a single unified installer will install; • MHP V4 Application Software •...
Page 6 You must read and accept the license agreement before clicking ‘Next’ to proceed. Click ‘Next’ to accept the default install location on your hard drive or you may choose an alternative location. Page 6...
Page 7 Click ‘Next’ to allow setup install in the default folder. You can now choose a start menu folder. We recommend you accept the default. Page 7...
Page 8 Review your choices and click ‘Next’. Now click ‘Install’ to allow the installation to begin. You will be prompted to restart your computer. You should restart your computer for the MHP software to operate correctly. Page 8...
Page 9: Hardware Installation
Hardware Installation. Connect the cigar plug to an appropriate power outlet as described in the beginning of this document. Connect a standard USB cable (supplied) to the MHP and plug the computer end into an available USB 2 or USB 3 port. The device should be automatically detected and you should receive a windows message ‘Your hardware is installed and ready to use’.
Page 10: Connecting A Dew Heater
Now start the MHP PC application. The above is a typical output screen of the PC application. Assuming the device has been connected correctly click the ‘Connect’ button. The text on the connect button changes to ‘Connected’ and the various controls are enabled. You should probably test a power port now to confirm everything is working ok.
Page 11: Connecting Other Equipment
Dew ports 1 and 2 also support the use of an Electroluminescence (EL) panel. Bu using a suitable EL panel you can adjust the brightness of the panel by using the MHP software. Dew port 3 does NOT support an EL panel.
Page 12 First let’s look at the layout of the RJ45 socket. With this in mind the pinout of this socket is as follows. 1. DC Motor + 2. Stepper 12v * 3. Stepper 12v * 4. Stepper A+ 5. Stepper A- 6.
Page 13: Connecting A Dc Motor
12vDC you must then adhere to the connection scheme above. If you are unsure of the connections it is UNLIKELY that you will cause any damage by taking a ‘try and see’ approach. If your motor is connected correctly you will be able to slew the focus motor in a very smooth fashion using either the MHP hand controller or the software focus functionality.
Page 14: Operating The Pc Software
Operating the PC Software. Your MHP is supplied with PC software which allows you access to all of the features of the MHP. This software should be installed as described earlier in this document. The detailed features of the software are described below Software Layout.
Page 15: Power Tab
The loaded voltage may differ from the input voltage of your power supply. This difference will be greater when the unit is under ‘load’ powering devices. When a device is drawing power there is a voltage drop at your power supply. This is ‘Ohms Law’ in action!! Therefore the displayed voltage is the ‘Loaded voltage’...
Page 16 These are used to control each individual power ports. In its simplest use just click the on/off switch to turn on/off power to that port. When turned on a particular panel will indicate that is on and will also display the current in AMPS which is being drawn by the connected device.
Page 17 Current Limiter. To help ensure that problems with connected equipment don’t end up causing damage to either the MHP or other equipment, you can set a “software fuse” which will cause that port to power off if it draws more current than the limit you set.
Page 18 ‘Save Port States’ Button. This new feature allows you to decide which of the power ports are switched on or off when the device is powered up. Note that the saved power port state is independent of software and will be effective even if the software or PC is not running.
Page 19: Dew Control Tab
Dew Control Tab. This area allows control of connected dew tapes or electroluminescence panels. From top to bottom we have Port 1, Port 2 and Port 3 Only Ports 1 and 2 support EL panels. Using port3 for an EL panel will result in flickering panel or the panel not operating Port 1 has a set of text boxes which allow you to setup presets for an EL panel to operate with particular filters.
Page 20 Each dew port has a slider which you can drag to set the power level. Once the correct power level is set to the desired value, click the On/Off button. You will see the amount of current drawn by the dew tape/EL panel as follows The Startup Default button will cause the currently set values be stored to the device and when next started the device will activate these ports at those power levels.
Page 21: Focus Tab
Focus Tab Hitecastro are now pleased to offer optional high quality stepper or DC focus motor based units designed to accommodate almost all types of focuser. Please contact us with your requirement. This area allows a connected focuser to be operated.
Page 22 The focus control section is where you actually control your focuser. In continuous mode pressing the “Focus In” or “Focus Out” button will slew the focuser continually until you release the button. This is intended for course adjustment of your focuser. For finer control select the “Steps”...
Page 23 • The resolution of your stepper motor. • The ratio of the motor gearbox. We recommend a ratio of between 50:1 and 70:1 to provide a good balance between focus speed and torque. All focus stepper motors require a gearbox to operate effectively. Without a gearbox a stepper motor will not have enough torque to actually move your focuser especially if there is heavy equipment such as CCD cameras attached.
Page 24 Entering a value and pressing “Set” will update the current position but will not move the focuser. Your MHP software is capable of repeatedly setting your focuser to the exact same position time after time. The current position of your focuser is displayed. To move to a new position enter a value in the New Position field and click the slew button underneath.
Page 25: Settings Tab
It may not be apparent at first that this feature allows you to set your focus position to suit a wide variety of your telescope eyepieces and CCD equipment. Let’s see how you can do this. Temperature Compensation (Stepper Mode Only) Enabling this checkbox enables temperature compensated focusing.
Page 26 Which then reflects on the power port tab as; …and on the dew control tab as; Temperature Units/Training. Choose to have the displayed temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit by selecting the corresponding radio button. Page 26...
Page 27 Pressing the “Temp Comp Training” button opens up a whole new window where you can train the software to adapt your focus as temperature changes. Temperature Compensation is not a “magic bullet” which will improve your focus under any circumstances. It is really only useful if you live in a climate where the temperature falls rapidly and deeply after dark.
Page 28 second data point is captured. Continue for as long as possible capturing as many data points as possible until the data section looks something like this The more data points you capture the more accurate compensation will be. When the temperature stops falling or you have captured enough data. Press the “Calc Slope”...
Page 29 If you wish to automatically capture data you need to carefully set up as follows. In the “Sample every x minutes” section enter a value in minutes. Arrange for your auto focus software routine to complete before each sample so that the scope is perfectly focused each time a sample is taken.
Page 30: About Tab
About Tab This page contains information about the software version. The connection status of the Focuser and Switch ascom drivers is displayed graphically. Page 30...
Page 31: Ascom Focus Driver
ASCOM Focus Driver. Installed at the same time as the focus driver is an ASCOM compliant driver for use with third party software or to enable you to write your own software to communicate with the focus portion. Please Note: Before connecting the ASCOM Focus driver. Ensure the MHP Software is running and connected.
Page 32: Ascom Switch Driver
ASCOM Switch Driver. Installed at the same time as the focus driver is an ASCOM compliant driver for use with third party software or to enable you to write your own software to communicate with the switched outputs such as the power and dew switches. Please Note: Before connecting the ASCOM Switch driver.
Page 33: Application Programming Interface (Api)
Application Programming Interface (API) From v4.5. The MHP can be scripted or operated through user written scripts or customized applications. We cannot provide support for programming the MHP. It is your responsibility to understand how to program in whatever programming language you choose. The documentation below assumes you are using vb.net.
Page 34 The focuser will move respond to move commands. To move the focuser set the “S_APOS” Key to the new value. The focuser will immediately slew to that value. E.g. p.WriteValue(DriverID, "S_APOS", "5020") The “S_CPOS” represents the current position of the focuser and can be read as follows p.GetValue(DriverID, "A_CPOS") When S_APOS and S_CPOS differ and the...
Page 35 Comment: Enables temperature compensated focusing when set to 1 and a slope has been calculated, only if the focuser is in stepper mode. Set 0 to disable temperature tracking. Note: Enabling this in DC mode will lead to unpredictable results. Is Step Possible Value: 1, 0 Comment: Used to determine if the focuser is in stepper mode (1) or DC mode...
Page 36 Represents Dew Port 1 duty cycle. Set from 0 to 100 Represents Dew Port 2 duty cycle. Set from 0 to 100 Represents Dew Port 3 duty cycle. Set from 0 to 100 S_AscomConnect_Switch Write True to connect, False to disconnect. Must be set to True for the previous keys to be effective.
Page 37: Troubleshooting
Procure a suitable replacement from your local electrical retailer (or contact Hitecastro). To replace unscrew the silver colored knurled ring at the tip of the cigar plug. Remove this taking care not to lose the tip inside the knurled ring.
Page 38 Device Manager Opens. Look for the area labeled ‘Human Interface Devices’. Click the ‘+’ sign to its left to expand this area. You may see many Human Interface Devices. If the above does not solve your problem contact us by e-mailing support@hitecastro.co.uk or by contacting your retailer. Page 38...
Page 39: Ce Conformity
This product carries the CE Mark in accordance with relevant European Union Directives. CE Marking is the responsibility of; David A. Jackson and David M. Grennan, Hitecastro, 30 Waverley Place, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S802SX, United Kingdom. This product is designed for recreational use only and must not be used in any application where safety or personal injury may result from its failure.
Page 40 Links Requirements for using our software Dot Net Platform Version 4 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ ASCOM Platform http://www.ascom-standards.org/ Page 40...