The RA drive motor and gear reduction system has been changed out at the
Perkins. This replaces the "temporary" rig put in many years ago. The motor is
a new DC servo motor, though the controller's interface is the same as the old
one - step and direction. One particularly desirable outcome is that we now have
a spare motor and controller for the drives used on all the Mesa telescopes. It
also sticks out about an inch less than the previous mechanism. It seems to run
more evenly (i.e. at a more constant rate) than the previous motor. Ken will
try to get an image or two with the telescope tracking in Dec to check for any
periodic errors.
We have tested it to verify tracking rate, slews, guide and set motions,
and initializing on switches. I don't expect any problems, but as always if
something strange turns up please notify us right away. - Ted
.
-- Main.BrianWTaylor - 21 Sep 2006