Paramount GT-1100 Robotic Telescope Mount

page 24 Paramount User’s Guide
adjustments, but rather to provide a small amount of fine-tune leveling. Additionally, they
can be used insure the base plate of the ME is not distorted by a non-flat mounting surface.
A slightly concave mounting surface would tend to bend the bottom plate of the ME, but
when the Micro-Levelers protrude slightly below the surface of the base plate, they act as
“legs” to stabilize the mount base.
Figure 13 – Micro-Leveler (see arrow)
and base plate attachment knob.
over tighten them.
The best approach for leveling the mount is to
simultaneously adjust two Micro-Levelers so
that the mount is tilted either East/West or
North/South. The accuracy of the leveling
depends on the long-term use of the mount. If
the mount is attached to a permanent pier
without the intent of portable use, leveling is
actually less important. When used in a
portable sense, insuring that the mount is level
helps to quickly polar align the mount.
The Micro-Levelers have a relatively small
surface area of contact and are not intended to
lift the mount. Take care not to unnecessarily
First Slews
Once you have assembled the mount and connected all the electronic wiring, verify that all
the electronic and mechanical components function by turning on the mount.
It is important to note that the Paramount ME will not respond to joystick commands and
will not start tracking until it is homed.
What is that Sound?
When the Paramount ME is turned on and initialized, the servomotors emit an audible
variable-pitched sound. This is the sound caused by the control system checking and
adjusting the position of the DC servo motors over 3,000 times per second and is normal.
This sound serves as the “heartbeat” of the mount and provides an audible indicator that the
electronics are powered and functioning.
What Is Homing?
Homing is the automated process of slewing each axis until the homing indexes are located.
The right ascension and declination axes have sensors that are used to detect the home
position. The home position is at approximately hour angle 2 and declination 0 degrees. This
position is fixed and cannot be changed as it depends on the physical position of the gears
and the internal sensors.
Note: The Paramount ME will not slew or track until the
mount is successfully homed!